There is no reason for a healthy player to not play in games. Now sure, if the bench was better and he could play 35 minutes instead of 40 minutes, that would be better long term, but if the guy is healthy he should play.
Normally I would take the same stance, but after seeing him in the Finals last season, I think he needs some rest days at some point.
I know he had a proper offseason this time (which he didn’t last season), but some games off in the second half can pay dividends for a deep playoff run.
He’s asked to do so much on both ends of the floor, it’s exhausting.
Tatum was banged up and the Warriors are not a great match-up for him as they have several long quality defenders. We saw that last night. I don't think the Finals performance had anything to do with him wearing down (other than the injury). If a guy is healthy he needs to play.
Several long quality defenders? Their knock is being too small. Nobody on their roster is longer than him that can actually defend him.
His shoulder injury wasn’t to blame for how the Finals ended for him. Fatigue and GSW wearing him down mentally was.
This is a different era and just because players are healthy doesn’t mean they don’t get days off over the course of 82 games. There’s no good reason he shouldn’t. We are up 4 games on everyone else in the East. The Nets will continue to freefall without Durant. Giannis and Middleton are getting days off. The Sixers shouldn’t be a real concern, as I’m sure Embiid and Harden will sit along the way as well.
Topic: C’s Need To Prioritize Resting Tatum Now (Read 7091 times)