The End of Gino Time in the Ime Era

[Celtics2021]

I’m torn. I’ve seen this team blow a bunch of huge leads, so I understand his hesitation, but I was shocked when he put Brown back in while up 25 and like 4 minutes to go.

He was put back in with almost six minutes left, and was taken out of the game less than two minutes later, after he hit a couple free throws. I assume Ime let him go back in to hit 30.

Not sure the rationale for putting him back in, but he also played only the 4th-most minutes last night, at 28, behind Grant and White in addition to Tatum.

Grant and Theis played 51 minutes compared to Horford and Rob’s 41.  Ime  didn’t go that heavy on the starters; rather, he gave them more mid-game rest.  Then they were back on a little later to cement the victory, then it was the deep bench for a few minutes.

[Roy H.]

I don’t think “they only played 30 minutes” is the correct answer.

First, any rest is good rest.  Playing 25 minutes is better than 30, etc.

But, moreso, it just seems unnecessary at some point.  There’s no real reward having the starters in in some of these blowouts.  There’s no reward, but there is a risk:  injury. 

Perhaps I’m paranoid, but I’d much rather have Tatum on the bench goofing off with his teammates than I would have him suffer a useless injury in meaningless minutes.