The season is winding down... I don't want to see tmac missing any more layups because he isn't getting the elevation that he's use to... I don't want Yao to run out of gas after the first round... The problem is... our supporting cast is so OLD and probably needs more rest than Tmac and Yao... Plus we haven't locked a playoff spot yet, but I wouldn't mind the team staying at 6th so that we can face seattle instead of dallas in the first round..
I guess it all depends on where JVG wants us to be for the playoffs, the 5th of 6th seed. Based on that the rest will come to the players that need it..but i think at the same time he has done a good job of resting a YAo a lot this season since we have the beast DEKE down there.
JVG doesn't believe that playing a lot of minutes has an effect on tiring out players. He believes that if a coach practices his team too much that will tire out the players more than playing them a lot of minutes in games. So don't expect anyone's minutes to go down unless its a blowout.
I think you are right, I have pointed this out in another thread, and I am not so worried about resting Yao, because he has gotten some good rest throughout the season in games, plus he is healthy (no injuries) and plays only 30 minutes a game. Now T-Mac? That is another story. I would love for JVG to rest him for the playoffs, but I think the season has clearly shown that the Rockets won't have much success without him playing, and playing well at that. But more than anything else? I am VERY intrigued by seeing what Yao can do without T-Mac on the court 4-5 games of the remaining schedule, the reason for this is that I would like JVG to get Yao used to being the ONLY option for the team for a few games, so he would get used to being extra-aggressive and carry over that mentality into the playoffs, even when McGrady plays. Do you think this tactic would be good for the Rockets as a whole if Yao is conditioned to be very aggressive going into the playoffs? I think it would be, let me know what you think.
One problem is the beast DEKE, I have a gut feeling Deke is gonna play a really important role defensively come playoff. I don't think we can afford to risk running out Deke's tank too. Who's our other back up center besides Deke? On the other hand, TMac play way too many minutes for way too long, it definitely gonna come back and bite us at the playoff. Hopefully both Yao and TMac just find enough fire to finish off the season and just charging up and bring more fire in the playoff.
It is really a crap shoot, but... 1) I think the Rockets are pretty safely in the playoffs. 7 games ahead of the 9th team in the loss column. 2) there is no realistic way to get the 4th seed and home court (5 behind the Mavs in the loss culomn). Rigth now the SAFEST spot is the 6th seed. Almost assuredly will be Seattle. 5th spot isn't bad, but Dallas is more imposing IMO than Seattle--especially given the inujry situations (Damp returning, Radm out, other injuries). 7th seed might be great (Spurs w/o TD), but might be terrible (Spurs with just enough time to get TD back and their team humming). 8th seed is not terrible, Suns are beatable, but still rather play Seattle, Dallas or a TD-less SA first. In short, too many unpredicatables. BUT the Rockets IMO should really guard Yao, Tmac and Wesley's minutes even if costs them a game or two so long as they don't completely collapse. MOST important is getting the team in peak health for the playoffs. Right now just stay ahead or with Memphis and Sac--preferrably in between them for a strategic push the last week if needed. Also, guard for Denver--that is becoming a nasty team. Hopefully that April 16 game won't matter (still 3 game difference) because Denver can pick up a game and the tiebreaker in that one.
Although I am a HUGE yao fan. But I want to do a small correction here: ROX only has one super star: TMAC. Yao is not yet or 80% super star or a very solid ALL-STAR
JVG will rest starters if there's no possibility of moving up or down in terms of seeding. Right now, considering how tight the teams are from 5-8, this is unlikely to happen until maybe the last 1-2 games of the season.
I would actually prefer Yao to play (especially at the end of the season) then give him rest. He is not exactly hitting his stride as we come to the end. But if he can get hot in the last few games (even if they are meaningless games), I think that would actually benefit him more than rest.
But right now it is impossible to determine which is the ideal seeding 5-8--there are so many factors at stake. I think 6 is the safest (definetly versus Seattle), but because Denv can rise, and Sac and Mem can fall, it is really hard to get the 6th seed even with planned winning or losing. I am not as worried about Yao's minutes as Wesley and TMac. Those two guys don't need any extra seasoning, they just need their bodies ready. Yao, James, Sura, back-up 4s, those are the guys when need to get prepared.
