I think we will be Ok- but my problem is not necessarily Boozer, it is more Deron Williams against Rafer- and Mehmet Okur raining in long bombs to draw out Yao.
Good thread DD not sure why some would rate it low. We need T-Mac's back and Yao's knee strong for the playoffs ~ if someone does go down we need our reserves to be ready to step it up. I'm not talking about a massive cut in minutes, but especially with T-Mac about 5 minutes less per game is a good thing. -and- More minutes for Snyder now (and Bonzi when he's healthy)
I think people automatically rate my threads low because some of my opinions are unpopular, and they are unable to seperate different ideas and threads. DD
I dont think we have to worry about wearing out Yao's legs. He has had significant time off last year and this year, which compared to his normal schedule is a world of rest. If anything he needs to get normal minutes from now till the playoffs to solidfy his legs, not worry about tiring them out. As for Tmac, rest him or not, but it is not a back issue. His back can go out five minutes into a game or forty minutes into a game. He has said it, the docs have said it, the trainers have said it. Rest only helps after it goes out, it wont prevent it. As others have said, Juwan and Deke are the ones who really seemed to hit a wall and both get plenty of rest now that Yao and Chuck eat up so many of their minutes. They should both be plenty fresh by the playoffs.
Some folks on this board have become so obsessed with proving DD wrong, they miss it when he occasionally hits the mark (something about blind pigs and acorns resonates here). When evaluating how to use rotations to prepare for the playoffs, who has more credibility, Mike D'Antoni or Greg Popovich? A few minutes a game seems to make a difference to Pops.
Whether or not people agree or disagree they are generally interesting or at least entertaining so that's a 3 star minimum in my book. SHEEESH !!
Exactly, avoid my ranting threads and join in on the good ones if you like....that is the way to avoid the DD rant pain. DD
I distinctly remember Rockets have terrible energy in back-to-back game (of course I meant the latter game). I blame JVG's roatation for tiring up the starters and resulting in poor performance. Tonight is just another perfect example.
I like the general concept, DaDa... but I like the T-2 take a bit more. Just hold steady for a week or 10 days, then start some spot minute rest when the Rockets have a clearer picture of the playoffs, etc. If they can avoid any ankle, knee or back tweaks... we just might see some deeper action in the playoffs... and shoot, if some other team(s) get into a health issue, we should be pretty good at this point. I see it this way... this whole season has been just another huge test. Not as bad as last year mind you, but a test again for JVG to hold this thing together. Several injuries, and we're still in this thing in a pretty decent spot for now... and even I can agree JVG has been doing well enough to be considered for COY... And I don't really care for him. But give him credit. He has already (by way of injuries) been forced to play a bigger rotation than he seems to be used to, and he's done well with this roll of the dice. Again, barring any more flukish injuries, we just might see a little broader rotation in about a week. This is kind of... "how will Yao and T-Mac work together after being apart" time. The rhythm has to get back in sync before the minutes can really diminish. I still feel good about our chances either way, rest or no rest.
I am hopeful, but I don't know about our chances.....this year. As for the expanded rotation bit, sure wait a week or so, why not.... DD
The Suns expenditures on defense, the most fatiguing part of the game, is no where near the approach of JVG (or Pop, or Riley or PJ). If D'Antoni wins the title he certainly would have broken the dominant mold. Here is a rough estimate of the minute breakdowns I'd like to see until the postseason..... Y. Ming 32 (from 34) T. McGrady 33 (from 36) R. Alston 31 (from 37) S. Battier 31 (from 37)* includes some at PF L. Head 24 (from 28)* includes heavy at PG paired with Tmac J. Howard 24 (from 27) * includes some at C B. Wells 23 (from 22) *SF & SG C. Hayes 20 (from 21) K. Snyder 12 (from 14) *SF & SG D. Mutombo 10 (from 19)/Tsaka in his absence I think this would provide minimum slippage while determining our best guys/combinations and resting our known quantities (Yao, Tmac, Battier, Howard, Alston, Deke). I also think Wells, Head, Hayes, & Snyder, and to a lesser degree Battier and Alston, should have flexible minutes. On their good days against favorable match-ups, play certain guys more. Other days play them less. Would be my plan for the rest of the season anyway. Gives 11 guys ready to play in the playoffs, though really only 10 (Tsaka only in case of injury). Have 10 guys ready to go each night, assume probably only 9 play (probably Snyder is not in the playoff rotation). But Snyder is good enough he is nice to have for if Bonzi or Head are not producing or if we are facing a hot SG, and we need to try something different.
No, we don't need to expand the rotation, because the guys that are playing are going to be the ones that get time in the playoffs. If we are depending on players that haven't been getting time in the regular season come playoff time, then it means one of our key guys probably went down and we don't have a very good shot in the playoffs anyway. We don't need to play the starters less minutes, because none of them are playing a heavy amount of minutes. Not one player on the team is averaging 40 minutes per game, and in fact Battier tops the list at 37. 37 minutes per game is what you would knock a player down to in order to rest them for the playoffs, not what you knock them down from. Are Dirk, Marion, Bell, Hamilton, Williams, and Prince going to be worn out come playoff time because they are averaging 37 mpg? Our guys get plenty of rest because our 6, 7, 8 guys play quite a few minutes. Luther Head 28, Juwan Howard 27, Bonzi averaged 21 when he was playing, Tsakalidis 12, Mutombo 19. No one is getting worn down, the rotation is fine. The added bonus, all of the players already are comfortable in their roles for the playoffs because they are the same roles they have played all season.
We are fooling ourselves if we think our team with Offensively limited Chuck Hayes, Offensive Limited, Shane Battier (cant create his own shot), and Offensive Limited Rafer Alston (cant make his own shots) is going to get it done in the playoffs. We need to start getting Bonzi and Kirk Snyder involved. At least Kirk is athletic enough to run with a team like the Suns. Right now this team as is couldnt beat the Suns, Mavs, or Spurs in a 7 game series. And would probably have a hard time against the Jazz without home court advantage. This team is very possibly a first round exit again. This isnt some kind negativity, pessimistic post. Its just the facts jack.
this thread reminds me: what bench player was Yao trying to get involved on that first possession last night?
DD, sometimes I am so surprised by your comments. I think one day you are smart about basketball. The next day, you seem so (Tom Cruise word) dim. When you change the way you coach and the rhythm you set during the year thats asking for trouble. In addition, the team hasn't been together the entire year. They need to develop some cohesiveness before the playoffs. Resting will do what? Keep fresh what? Isn't Phoenix pretty much locked up the 2 seed? They resting Nash? What about Dallas? They resting anyone? Detroit? Hey, Utah is pretty much 5. They resting anyone?
T-Mac only plays about 35 minutes a night a player his caliber should be 40+ but he's already resting right now.
