Can we go Spurs way with Yao and T-Mac?

[Seth]

I think it´s safe to say now that Yao and T-Mac are not durable players, so what do you think? can Adelman pull out a popovich?

During the last season, and with a lousy bench Pop managed to play the Spurs stars this minutes. Duncan played the most of all players by playing 34 mpg, Parker followed playing 33.5 and then it was Ginobili with a career best 31 mpg. (on a side note, Bowen who is perceived to play a lot averaged 30 mpg only)

Now let´s take a look at the Rockets, Yao averaged 37.2 mpg and T-Mac averaged 37 mpg.

I think the rockets are now one of the deepest NBA teams, will adelman be able to maintain our top 4-5 players (Yao, T-Mac, Artest, Scola, Battier) between 30 and 34 minutes? I have to say that in paper, this has to be doable, with the Artest addition plus the Scola surge the rockets will be able to always team up two top tier players without overplaying any of those, just the way the spurs always do.

What do you think, is this a safe move? will Adelman convince Yao and T-Mac to loose some stats in order to keep them fresh and healthy?

[heypartner]

The Spurs lost largely because Popovich chose not to worry about homecourt advantage but having a better regular season record.

Obviously, if we can have homecourt and rest Yao, TMac...that's a no-brainer. It's a win-win. That's not really even a question. But if you are ask about mpg versus a drawback such as losing homecourt advantage, then i'd rather have homecourt advantage.

and if you are asking, we should rest them more in order to win more games (avoid injuries), then I don't understand the comparison to the Spurs. That's more a question strictly about how the Rockets can avoid injuries and is less mpg (like JVG did vs Adelman wrt Yao) the answer.

[heypartner]

Originally Posted by heypartner The Spurs lost largely because Popovich chose not to worry about homecourt advantage by having a better regular season record.

^edit

[Angkor Wat]

Spurs got knocked out the 2nd Round. I rather go the "Celtics way" if we are talking about it like that.

[Ikorose]

I think that's exactly what most of us are pulling for. Neither Yao or T-Mac should avg more than 34mpg. With the addition of Artest we should always have 2 20pt scorers in the game all the time unless its a blowout.

I'm willing to give up 3-4 wins even if it results in dropping a seed or two if it means we go into the playoffs fully healthy.

[Seth]

Originally Posted by heypartner The Spurs lost largely because Popovich chose not to worry about homecourt advantage but having a better regular season record. Obviously, if we can have homecourt and rest Yao, TMac...that's a no-brainer. It's a win-win. That's not really even a question. But if you are ask about mpg versus a drawback such as losing homecourt advantage, then i'd rather have homecourt advantage. and if you are asking, we should rest them more in order to win more games (avoid injuries), then I don't understand the comparison to the Spurs. That's more a question strictly about how the Rockets can avoid injuries and is less mpg (like JVG did vs Adelman wrt Yao) the answer.

I really think that the reason the Spurs lost the conference first place was because Duncan, Ginobili (and Barry at the same time) and Parker were all missing 10 or more games the last season, something that could much more easily happen to the Rockets the way they played their stars last season.

[GranvilleWaders]

I like the thought of this...in addition to having the big three (Yao,TMAC, Artest) we should use this more effectively throughout the season to really limit minutes. In past seasons our offense or something would really suffer.. this season we really have some extra depth and experience on the bench.
I would be curious to see some of your thoughts on what lineups the Rox might use to win yet maintain Yao, TMac, and Artests minutes to 33 min or less.

[LoveRoxHateJazz]

Originally Posted by Angkor Wat Spurs got knocked out the 2nd Round. I rather go the "Celtics way" if we are talking about it like that.

The Spurs were knocked out in the WCF. They came back on both Phoenix, and New Orleans.

[heypartner]

Originally Posted by Seth I really think that the reason the Spurs lost the conference first place was because Duncan, Ginobili (and Barry at the same time) and Parker were all missing 10 or more games the last season, something that could much more easily happen to the Rockets the way they played their stars last season.

first off...the "Spurs way" only produced ONE more win than the Rockets last year.

the point is, the so-called "Spurs way" did not work last year. They still got injuried; they did not get a top seed; they did not even win their Division, much less the conf; and they got knocked out because they didn't have homecourt and Ginobody was not healthy and rested despite using the "Spurs way"...but then again, that dude always has a nagging injury....and will always have that problem.

so again, I don't know why you are saying less mpg is the answered, unless you are trying to say it will help us win more games...and if so, that's NOT the "Spurs Way"; they did not win more games with that strategy.

[JBIIRockets]

I sure as hell hope the Rockets don't get a 20 point lead in Game 1 of the WCF on the road only to blow it.

How the spurs went from handling the Suns, to playing clutch against the Hornets in a road Game 7, to folding against a relatively soft Laker team in the WCF is still puzzling to me.

[Seth]

Originally Posted by JBIIRockets I sure as hell hope the Rockets don't get a 20 point lead in Game 1 of the WCF on the road only to blow it. How the spurs went from handling the Suns, to playing clutch against the Hornets in a road Game 7, to folding against a relatively soft Laker team in the WCF is still puzzling to me.

They lost ginobili, as plain as that, he is the only closer they have.

[Angkor Wat]

Originally Posted by LoveRoxHateJazz The Spurs were knocked out in the WCF. They came back on both Phoenix, and New Orleans.

Yeah thats what I meant. The 2nd round after the first round. :D

[JBIIRockets]

Originally Posted by Seth They lost ginobili, as plain as that, he is the only closer they have.

I remember him being hurt, but he still made big plays in the Hornets series. Must have ran out of gas.

[declan32001]

Originally Posted by heypartner The Spurs lost largely because Popovich chose not to worry about homecourt advantage but having a better regular season record. Obviously, if we can have homecourt and rest Yao, TMac...that's a no-brainer. It's a win-win. That's not really even a question. But if you are ask about mpg versus a drawback such as losing homecourt advantage, then i'd rather have homecourt advantage. and if you are asking, we should rest them more in order to win more games (avoid injuries), then I don't understand the comparison to the Spurs. That's more a question strictly about how the Rockets can avoid injuries and is less mpg (like JVG did vs Adelman wrt Yao) the answer.

I guess you're specifically talking about last year? Because didn't Pops win his last 2 rings resting Duncan when seeding was still up for grabs? Also he's well-known for benching players during odd stretches of winnable games, and also leaving players in when they're playing so badly (in winnable games) that they are willing to hang themselves before Pops takes them out.

Seth, nice thread. I don't agree Adelman should be automatically limit minutes, but I hope (and expect) to have more blowouts and I still believe he thinks his system can lessen the stress & strain on Yao & T-Mac.

Last season was so... weird, I think Adelman's going to remain flexible (imagine that :D ).

[agentkirb87]

Originally Posted by heypartner first off...the "Spurs way" only produced ONE more win than the Rockets last year. the point is, the so-called "Spurs way" did not work last year. They still got injuried; they did not get a top seed; they did not even win their Division, much less the conf; and they got knocked out because they didn't have homecourt and Ginobody was not healthy and rested despite using the "Spurs way"...but then again, that dude always has a nagging injury....and will always have that problem. so again, I don't know why you are saying less mpg is the answered, unless you are trying to say it will help us win more games...and if so, that's NOT the "Spurs Way"; they did not win more games with that strategy.

I don't think there is conclusive evidence. First of all, you have to remember, this is the same Spurs team that has won 4 titles in the last 10 years (not the exact same team, but same coach, same coaching philosophy). And if you want evidence of a team that does the complete opposite (wears out starters to get a higher seed in the playoffs), look at the Suns the past 3 years (not last year). They've consistently been on fire for the regular season and ran out of steam in the playoffs.

[redao]

Is Artest a point forward?

if yes, TMAC can play less.
if no, TMAC and Rafer will have to play big minutes again.

[Ikorose]

Originally Posted by redao Is Artest a point forward? if yes, TMAC can play less. if no, TMAC and Rafer will have to play big minutes again.

No, but Brent Barry can play PG.

[heypartner]

Originally Posted by Seth They lost ginobili, as plain as that, he is the only closer they have.

right, because the "Spurs Way" did not prevent ginobody from getting injured. Besides Popovich does not play him star minutes to reserve him for the playoffs; he does it because the Spurs play better when ginobody doesn't start. That's not really a "way" as much as it's a specific player time management strategy.

back to the scenarios:

rest and still win: no brainer. we all want that.
rest but it effects our seeding: i don't agree
34mpg = no Yao injuries: that's not a given, ask JVG. Yao got Duncan mpg under JVG.

declan32001:
The OP made specific reference to last season, because in previous title years they had a stronger bench. Obviously, with a stronger bench, starters don't have to play as much.

plus, even with our lousy bench, JVG played Yao Duncan-esque mpg. It didn't work. Adelman increased his mpg. It didn't work. The "Spurs Way" is not about Yao playing mpg like Duncan. It's really about whether we can rest TMac, and I think that's a given, IF Yao doesn't get injured.

[heypartner]

Originally Posted by declan32001 Because didn't Pops win his last 2 rings resting Duncan when seeding was still up for grabs?

The last ring was the year Dallas ran away with the top seed, making the Spurs the #4 seed as the highest they could be. The Suns homecourt was unattainable as well. The Spurs really had nothing to play for at the end, because Dallas (67 wins) and the Suns (clinching homecourt over the Spurs with 6 games remaining) ran away from them early in the season.

[leebigez]

Originally Posted by heypartner right, because the "Spurs Way" did not prevent ginobody from getting injured. Besides Popovich does not play him star minutes to reserve him for the playoffs; he does it because the Spurs play better when ginobody doesn't start. That's not really a "way" as much as it's a specific player time management strategy. back to the scenarios: rest and still win: no brainer. we all want that. rest but it effects our seeding: i don't agree 34mpg = no Yao injuries: that's not a given, ask JVG. Yao got Duncan mpg under JVG. declan32001: The OP made specific reference to last season, because in previous title years they had a stronger bench. Obviously, with a stronger bench, starters don't have to play as much. plus, even with our lousy bench, JVG played Yao Duncan-esque mpg. It didn't work. Adelman increased his mpg. It didn't work. The "Spurs Way" is not about Yao playing mpg like Duncan. It's really about whether we can rest TMac, and I think that's a given, IF Yao doesn't get injured.

I have to disagree with you HeyP. When you know your team is good, it doesn't matter what seed you are. Whether it was the Spurs that beat the suns 2 times without homecourt or the Lakers that beat Sacramento without homecourt, or the old rox that beat 4 teams without homecourt, it doesn't matter. The Spurs formula is the same, Pop plays a lot of guys early to see what combo's he can work with. They normally struggle earl, then after the rodeo roadtrip, they start building towards the post season and post a amazing post all star record. Then in the post season, they don't care who or where they play. I personally think Mcgrady and Artest should play 32 mins per and Yao should play 31. Shane and Barry can carry the 36 mins left at 2/3 spot and Deke can carry the 17 behind yao or some combination and then after the break, start ramping it up. Homecourt is nice, but freshness is better. The Celts 3 avg career low in minutes, so that doesn't mean they still can't win games. The spurs lost to La because La was just a better team not matter where they played. The Rox have had homecourt the last 2 yrs and what happened? The best team playing the best always win in 7 games period.