I have no idea what Stotts wants to do or will do but he is in a different situation than he was last year. Last he had to make the playoffs or he was fired. If the Blazers had not made the playoffs I firmly belief Stotts was gone. Now he has a new contract, job security and a team that made the playoffs but it was the play of the bench that was the number one factor in the Blazers not beating the Spurs. I bet Stotts knows he needs to develop his bench players in order for the team to get past the 2nd round. And the only way to do that is to play them.
BOULDER, CO – Prior to the start of Tuesday night’s game between the Trail Blazers and Nuggets in Boulder, head coach Terry Stotts stated his overarching goal for the night: getting his starters the number of minutes they’re likely to play in a regular season game. “None of them have played more than half a game yet,” said Stotts. “Especially at altitude, it will be a challenge for them to play through some of that (fatigue). But that would probably be the main priority tonight.” http://forwardcenter.net/blazers-sta...ersus-nuggets/
Priority achieved. All of Portland’s starters logged at least 29 minutes, playing well into the fourth quarter as the Trail Blazers came away with a 93-75 victory. “I liked the way we started,” said Stotts. “I was expecting, with the altitude, to show a little bit more fatigue, but I thought we had a good bounce. Other than the second half when (Denver) created some turnovers and layups, I thought we did a nice job.” LaMarcus Aldridge played a game-high 37 minutes, significantly more than he had played in any of Portland’s first four preseason games, and finished with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds while adding four assists and two blocks. “I started out feeling good and then as the game went on toward the second half, I started to feel the altitude,” said Aldridge. “My legs got tired a little bit, too. It’s still preseason, that’s why I wanted to do it here. If you can push yourself to play through the fatigue here, then when I get back down to the regular elevation, I’ll be good to go. It felt good. I started out great, I kind of faded at the end but I thought guys pushed themselves tonight.” http://forwardcenter.net/blazers-starters-get-minutes-buckets-in-win-versus-nuggets/
I think we all want them to get 2-3 less minutes a game. Anything more than that is not going to happen. Only teams with really old players get their star players down around 30-32. The question is do those 2-3 extra minutes really make a difference over the course of a season? Seams like the "type of minutes" should be taken into consideration too. I mean some of those minutes at the end of games are not that difficult considering they get a timeout or a rest at the free throw line every 15-30 seconds. And most of you don't think Dame or LA play any defense, so it's not like they are running 40 minutes of hell........
I did, and stated that the organization should be looking to decrease minutes. The blurb you just posted stated Stotts playing them what they would in the regular season. 37 and 36 minutes respectively during the regular season is too much....IMO. And why I started the thread....in error
Well read this... This is a generalized statement, since only Julius was on your ass about this topic. Carry on....
I really think minutes on the court has less to do with players getting tired than practice. Hopefully, their practice scheds will be reduced.
I race half marathons. They are 13.1 miles long. Coming up to a race, I run several runs of 18-20 at a controlled pace to build up endurance before resting a bit for the race. This looks just like that to me. Stott's already said Aldridge isn't playing next game. Not worried.
Valid concern. I think Coach played them big minutes on the first night of a back-to-back, and some or all will play fewer (if any) minutes tonight against the L*kers. If he plays 'em big minutes tonight, I'll be pissed'r'n shit!
The images used by a moderator to mock a poster is sad for this once great forum. Its a form of personal attacking that has no business here...especially from a mod A case of "its good to be the king" I suppose
I think coaches always use the last couple preseason games as if they were reg season games. That and being at the high elevation, were a great way to get the guys ready for the real stuff. If I'm not mistaken, Utah has used their reg season rotation the whole preseason. Sent from my Baller-Ass 5.5" iPhone 6+......... FAMS
Watching last nights TNT broadcast of the Clippers versus Warriors game, and Reggie Miller just mentioned that coaches and players like to use preseason games, five, six, seven, and eight as regular season situations. All the players feel that in those last four games they should be in regular season mode. Sent from my Baller-Ass 5.5" iPhone 6+......... FAMS
