What will the minutes distribution of the guards look like?

^^ Wasn't there a report stating they were having discussions for a while before it went down? I feel like Morey and Denver were locked in, when Thornton signed, it was just a matter of sorting out the details.

 

I agree pretty much with that breakdown. I would add resting Howard on Back to backs would help skew Capela, and DMo's minutes.

I'd also LIKE to see at Harden 33 minutes, Ariza at 30 minutes and take those 7 and either let KJ play shutdown defense or Thornton if his shot is falling and needed.

 

Depends on matchup

Our regular distribution will be

Lawson (34)/Beverly (20)
Harden (34)

That's the regular distribution IMO with either Brewer/Thornton taking remaining time. When we need offense, Beverly will probably play less and Thornton will play more. If we need energy, Thornton probably won't play and Brewer will take that time.

 

So Thornton signed a vet minimum contract with the expectation of automatic playing time and a guaranteed role?

Some of you seem to be implying that. It doesn't really work that way.

 

If the suspension period cyberx mentioned is correct, Lawson won't see minutes until 11/16 against Boston or 11/27 against Philly. And when he is added into the line-up, he probably won't see max minutes until he's comfortable in his role and the team is comfortable with him on the floor. That may take another 5-10 games, so we won't see the minute spread being mentioned in this thread until mid-December possibly.

 

While this is possible, I would really hate that. But I'm also predicting less than a 5 game suspension. Just being a homer probably.

 

i meant to say negotiations

 

Lawson - 46
Beverley - 2. (Oh but how effective he'll be!)
Harden - 46
Thornton - 2

At least, that's what I would do if I was trying to kill 2 people.

 

I am not great with estimating exact minutes per player, but I agree with finsraider that Thornton will get more minutes than most expect. In a second unit with Harden on the bench he will be a key scorer/floor spacer.

 

Guards

Harden - 34
Lawson - 30
Beverley - 20
Thornton / KJ - 12

Forwards

Ariza - 32
Brewer - 20
DMo - 24
TJ - 20

Center

Howard - 30
Capela - 18

On B 2 B's where Dwight sits, DMo gets more minutes at the 5

 

I've always defended McHale but if he does not give regular minutes to Capella and kj this year I might freak out

No need for harden to play 35 minutes a game unless it's the playoffs this year. Dwight doesn't need a whole lot either especially on b2b. Same with Dmo

Cappella needs 20min a game at least and kj needs around 10

 

I don't want Harden to play more than 33mpg unless he really has aka a close important game. No one om this team should get more than 33mpg, we have the necessary depth.

It would be amazing if we can do what the Warriors did a lot last year and totally blowout teams in 3 quarters then have garbage time most, if not all, of the 4th.

I just want Howard to be healthy and our heavy minute players like Harden abs Ariza as fresh as possible. I have total faith that our depth will allow that to happen hope that McHale and the front office have a plan in place and that the players like Harden, Howard, etc. are willing to do so.

 

This deep of team

Ty(22)/Bev(22)/Terry(4)
Harden(30)/Mcdanials(12)/Thorton(6)
Ariza(30)/Brewer(18)/Dekker(garbage)
Jones(24)/Dmo(20)/Harrell(4)
Howard(28)/Cappella(20)/ Hayes(garbage)

Harden, Howard, Dmo, and Bev don't need to play a lot of minutes before playoffs for injury and fatigue reasons. We have a deep team and a lot of things depends on line ups(we could have crazy small ball lineup)

We just have to balance our team with defense, offense, and speed.

If Ty starts then Dmo needs to come of the bench to help distribute with Bev. Dmo is kind of a b**** and I'd rather have jones grind it out with the starters. We are deep enough to balance our players with distributers and defenders.

I wanna see us run the fast break with Ty/Mcdanials/Harden/Ariza/Howard. I think this lineup could destroy some teams

 

I hope McHale can figure out a way to get Harden under 30. Lots gets resolved if you hit that number.

 

My hope is that mchale loosens up and opens that rotation. This team has some vets that can contribute and not a bunch of rookies that he can sit by default.

Even if a guy oh plays 4-5 minutes. Be strategic about it. Use that guy effectively. Give main guys a bit of rest.

 

The whole "Harden needs more rest" narrative is getting overblown if we're trying to get him under 30 minutes. Even Steph Curry was at 32 a game, and that was with those 4th quarters he missed.

Harden's a Top 5 player in the league and only 25 years old. I agree he (and Ariza) can't be getting 40 minutes a night, but c'mon...

 

I think 34-35 minutes per game is realistic and reasonable for Harden this year. I don't expect anyone else to be more than that.