I remember last year when the Rox were on a roll and backpedalled into the playoffs barely hanging on to the number 8 spot (or was it 7th, I forget). SF and Cat really flamed out at the end of the regular season cuz of the 40+ minutes they were playing per game. I'm worried about the same thing happening to TMac. He's averaged 41 minutes a game this year, and I'm worried about it taking a toll on him in April-June. I know its almost impossible especially with the loss of Howard for a month for JVG to rest Tracy more, but I think he really needs to think about the workload Tracy's been carrying the whole season.
Nah! I think he will be fine - he didnt play 40 min tonight - 36 min I think. So as long as we keep balancing our minutes we'll be fine. Looking at the time it was pretty even all across the board. Im glad Van Gundy did this so that way they all can be rested up the same time sharp come play off time!
I wouldn't call a 4 minute reduction (36 min instead of 40) a "rest". T-MAc played his ass off tonight and get bumped pretty nicely on the inside as he attacked the basket a few times. It's not just the minutes, but the hits his body takes that could have a toll come playoff time. But alas, JVG doesn't believe in players "getting tired" because of minutes played over the season (he said so on SR 610)
Yeah I still have nightmares thinking of last season watching SF and Cat's bodies breakdown. I serisouly hope JVG brings TMac's minutes down somehow
Everyone would want him to get some rest but we can't afford to do it because we don't have a backup 3. Ryan Bowen can give some useful defense but he can't do much else.
I just don't get the rest thing. I really don't. I can understand Yao Ming a little, but a few minutes every other night means nothing in my world. I just don't see it. A day off. Maybe. That is some serious recuperation or relaxation. But a few minutes. I don't get it.
An NBA 5 minutes rest isn't like 5 minutes rest in the real world. You got timeouts, clock stoppages, free throws, commercials, etc.
