Resting Our Starters in the Regular Season

[BudweiserCeltic]

Number one seeds don't win championships as much as you'd think.

Home-court advantage has been extremely important statistically once you arrive to the finals, and as far as I know that's the goal. It's not really about the #1 seeds getting to the finals, as much as it is making sure that you have that advantage when the finals arrive.

The reason why #1 seeds don't win as often as some thing is because they often don't reflect which are the best teams in the conference once the playoffs start. But once the finals come, usually there are two very good teams, if not the best teams, playing against each other... It's then that home-court advantage plays a bigger role.

[tapper]

Anyone that saw the bird era teams from 87-90 know what too many minutes in the regular season does to an aging team. The celts of that era were shot before the playoffs began and had no one coming off the bench that had confidence because they got yanked after 2 minutes. Conversely, the 66-69 celtics did not win the division and even finished fourth in 69.  But all played reduced minutes in the regular season and developed players like sigfreid and nelson, added veteran help like Bailly Howell and Willie Naulls and played their best in the playoffs. If the celtics are to win again, the bench will need to produce and we must keep the starters healthy and rested. 40 minutes a game for PP, Allen and KG is a quick trip home from the playoffs.

[xmuscularghandix]

i agree with Ray and KG playing a few less minutes, and KG will esspecially now that we have an actually center to play backup for perk. Also i think that with a full strength TA along with Eddie that will give Ray more rest. So that takes care of 2/3 of the big three's excessive minutes but i think that the opportunities for the young players with naturally present themself, whether its (god forbid) an injury, or a major player in early foul trouble, it'll take care of itself.

but Rondo's going to need a dependable backup, who knows maybe pruitt is ready to make the step. 

[CoachBo]

Given the current composition of our bench, I have zero doubt whatsoever that the starters will be forced to play more minutes.