Minutes / Strategy heading into the playoffs...?

[ScoobyDoo]

Thanks for the TP.

I agree and am very, very, very happy to see that Doc may in fact be resting the sstarters more since the all star break. I argued all last year, I'd rather lose more games but have our key guys fresh for the playoff run. So, I do hope this is the case.

For me, I think it's very important to secure at least the 3rd spot, #2 would be great, but it's unlikely at this point.

If we are 100% helthy and gelling I don't think anyone will beat us.

This being said, if we can win every game with KG, PP and Ray playing around 30-32 minutes a night for the rest of the season and then get them all a few games off if necessary right before the playoffs, AND win maintain at least the 3rd spot, I am all good.

While I like the idea of the starters upping their minutes a little to know they can go the distance if required...I tend to be more of the camp that, if my bench can open up games and win them, I'd ride them straight to the end of the game on some nights.

I think it's a great development move. I also think it increases the overall strength of the team and puts more pressure on bench guys to perform and win games and not just have the mentality they need to keep the game close so the starters can come back in to the rescue.

It's a fine line. As someone mentioned, I think the starters can easily go from 30-32 minutes a night up to 38-40 minutes a night when necessary. But the stroneg my bench is the better team I am.

If I could play my starters the entire 1st and fourth quarters at warp speed and 100% balls to the wall like kamikazes and play my bench for quarters 2 and 3, I'd do it. You just wear the other team down. I'd mix in all three of the big three for little psurts throughout the 2nd and 3rd to keep them dialed in, but I'd love to see us make the 2nd and 3rd quarters bench dominated. Our starter would be so fresh down the stretch.  

And to be honest, I think a lineup of:
Rasheed / Baby / Finley / Daniels or TAllen and Nate could possbily do that on most nights if it were "demanded" of them.

It's a little radical and I know no one really does it, but I sure as heck would try it if I had the team depth this roster has.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

It was good to see Doc subbing in TA to cover carmelo...that is how to run the team...it isn't really about "starters" it is matchups...every team is different and you have to adjust your "D" to keep them from using thier strengths...!  I'd still like to see more Sheldon...but that might be asking too much for some strange reason....at least he stopped playing Scal...!

[looseball]

I think the Celts play best when a lot of guys play a lot of minutes.  We don't have anyone in the top scorers or top rebounders, but we do (IMO) have the deepest team in the league.  If we are going to win it all we should rely on our strength, our depth, and not do the opposite by having the starters play more and the bench less.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think the Celts play best when a lot of guys play a lot of minutes.  We don't have anyone in the top scorers or top rebounders, but we do (IMO) have the deepest team in the league.  If we are going to win it all we should rely on our strength, our depth, and not do the opposite by having the starters play more and the bench less.

Of course we play better when this occurs, mainly because if the bench is playing a lot of minutes it's probably because they're playing well that particular night...

[BballTim]

 I don't think that, aside from possibly KG, Doc goes into games with minutes in mind. I think that he tries to milk his bench play to get the starters rest so he leavres them in longer if they aren't stinking up hte joint.

Since the all-star break he's clearly been pacing the starters minutes more than in the first half.

He's used the 5 man bench more frequently and stuck with the bench more often. A big part of that is having the entire bench we thought we'd have, plus Finley and Robinson, available. But I definitely think he's been trying to avoid what happened last year.

  He's also trying to get Finley and Robinson extra minutes (and probably Daniels) to get them in sync with what we're doing before the playoffs.

[looseball]

I think the Celts play best when a lot of guys play a lot of minutes.  We don't have anyone in the top scorers or top rebounders, but we do (IMO) have the deepest team in the league.  If we are going to win it all we should rely on our strength, our depth, and not do the opposite by having the starters play more and the bench less.

Of course we play better when this occurs, mainly because if the bench is playing a lot of minutes it's probably because they're playing well that particular night...

If you want your bench to be consistent, you have to give them consistent minutes.

[mmbaby]

Has anyone considered that if KG and PP play more minutes now, they may get hurt before the playoffs? Maybe that was mentioned here..if so, sorry. With both of them just coming back, I think their minutes are good now. Save them for the big time and don't risk further injury to already injury prone players. Not them, anyway.