Yao is Playing 75% of Minutes, Not 50%. [Perspective]

Great point, OP.

A little off topic, but I'm interested to see how Adelman uses Yao's minutes, especially at end of games.

For example, let's say there's 6 minutes left in the game, the Rockets are down by 7, and Yao's already played 22 minutes. Should Yao be on the court to try to cut the deficit but then miss the final minutes of a close game, or should Yao get his rest early and if his teammates close the gap, be brought back for the final push?

I get the feeling this is going to be an ongoing dilemma for Adelman, and we fans will be second-guessing him all season.

 

Great point!

 

So.. nobody's going to comment on this?

I say the major reason why Yao is playing 24 minutes max is to preserve his value. A healthy Yao who only averages <24 minutes has much more value in a S&T or at the deadline than a Yao that has another season ending injury.

 

Or maybe because 24 mins was the doctor prescribed PT for this season. Yao Ming averages 30+ mins a game, if you're trying to extend his career and lessen the impact on his leg 24 mins sounds about right.

 

I completely agree.. Yao will get better as the season continues... Hopefully he'll comeback to becoming the anchor to our team