I'm worried Joe gets even more desperate for a win...

[liam]

I'm worried Joe gets even more desperate for a win and plays everyone into the ground.

[Goldstar88]

I'm worried Joe gets even more desperate for a win and plays everyone into the ground.

Kinda like Ime did last year? Lol.

[Kernewek]

Tom Thibodeau is not walking through that door.

[Vermont Green]

At this point, there are 16 games left.  Our expected starters from last season (Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, RWill) have only played together in 10 games for a total of 81 minutes.  Now RWill is out again.  I think we need to figure out what the core rotation is going to be and start playing them regularly.  If we don't get some continuity in these rotations between now and the end of the season, nothing else is going to matter.

I feel we are about at the point where we need to concede that RWill is not going to be available to play a set regular rotation.  Accept that and figure out what you want for a first unit and start playing that unit together as much as you can.  Not play people into the ground of course but start treating the rest of the season with more urgency (not less). 

I am not sure if that means going back to the small unit with White or if you start someone like Kornet or Griffin, just to preserve roles.  Someone though is going to have to pick up some minutes to make up for RWill.  I think him coming in and out of the starting unit causes discontinuity.  If he is used off the bench, and his availability is irregular, the impact is less.

I like Grant off the bench and it is not even clear that he is healthy enough for that role, so I don't want to start him.  I would probably elevate Griffin to a starter.  Still keep his minutes down to maybe 15 or so but use him in a defined role so that everyone else can have a defined role around that.  Keep White and Brogdon as bench guys playing starter minutes.

I know that Horford and Griffin have not played much together (6 gms, 47 min, -7) but I am not sure why they couldn't.

[ozgod]

I'm worried Joe gets even more desperate for a win and plays everyone into the ground.

Given he's been prepared to lose games to treat them as learning experiences, Joe doesn't strike me as the kind of coach who is that desperate 

[Donoghus]

They don't play again until Saturday night so I really don't mind if there are extended minutes tonight.

[Phantom255x]

You're just realizing this?

I've been saying this for a while. They've played guys like Tatum a ton already and I worry this could hurt us come playoff time as potential fatigue grows.

A lot of these other teams like the Bucks have been precautious with guys and resting guys from time to time and I think they are built nicely from a health and rest perspective.

[gouki88]

You're just realizing this?

I've been saying this for a while. They've played guys like Tatum a ton already and I worry this could hurt us come playoff time as potential fatigue grows.

A lot of these other teams like the Bucks have been precautious with guys and resting guys from time to time and I think they are built nicely from a health and rest perspective.

What's the solution? Give guys (more) time off, and lose more games, and poorly situated come playoff time?

[Phantom255x]

You're just realizing this?

I've been saying this for a while. They've played guys like Tatum a ton already and I worry this could hurt us come playoff time as potential fatigue grows.

A lot of these other teams like the Bucks have been precautious with guys and resting guys from time to time and I think they are built nicely from a health and rest perspective.

What's the solution? Give guys (more) time off, and lose more games, and poorly situated come playoff time?

Probably not anymore since there's only 16 games to go. But earlier in the season, playing heavy minutes against bad teams or continuing to play guys late into the 4th even when up 20+. Stuff like that. In a long season, at some point it effects the players especially come May and/or June

If we really needed them to win all these games, then our team isn't as deep as people thought. Milwaukee last night rested Giannis + Holiday and they still beat Orlando by double digits. 

[Vermont Green]

You're just realizing this?

I've been saying this for a while. They've played guys like Tatum a ton already and I worry this could hurt us come playoff time as potential fatigue grows.

A lot of these other teams like the Bucks have been precautious with guys and resting guys from time to time and I think they are built nicely from a health and rest perspective.

What's the solution? Give guys (more) time off, and lose more games, and poorly situated come playoff time?

Yeah, didn't we just rest Tatum vs. CLE and we lost.  I get that people are unsure about Mazzulla.  I am too.  But let's not nit pick.  First it was time outs.  Now it is complaining about playing Tatum too much immediately after a game where we rested him.

[gouki88]

You're just realizing this?

I've been saying this for a while. They've played guys like Tatum a ton already and I worry this could hurt us come playoff time as potential fatigue grows.

A lot of these other teams like the Bucks have been precautious with guys and resting guys from time to time and I think they are built nicely from a health and rest perspective.

What's the solution? Give guys (more) time off, and lose more games, and poorly situated come playoff time?

Probably not anymore since there's only 16 games to go. But earlier in the season, playing heavy minutes against bad teams or continuing to play guys late into the 4th even when up 20+. Stuff like that. In a long season, at some point it effects the players especially come May and/or June

If we really needed them to win all these games, then our team isn't as deep as people thought. Milwaukee last night rested Giannis + Holiday and they still beat Orlando by double digits.

[dang]ed if you do. Who knows how many close games we lose / go to OT if we sit guys?

[Phantom255x]

You're just realizing this?

I've been saying this for a while. They've played guys like Tatum a ton already and I worry this could hurt us come playoff time as potential fatigue grows.

A lot of these other teams like the Bucks have been precautious with guys and resting guys from time to time and I think they are built nicely from a health and rest perspective.

What's the solution? Give guys (more) time off, and lose more games, and poorly situated come playoff time?

Yeah, didn't we just rest Tatum vs. CLE and we lost.  I get that people are unsure about Mazzulla.  I am too.  But let's not nit pick.  First it was time outs.  Now it is complaining about playing Tatum too much immediately after a game where we rested him.

I wasn't referencing this past game. I'm actually fine with them resting Tatum then.

But part of why we lost the Finals last year is because Tatum looked physically and mentally fatigued by then. Part of it was also two series right before that went 7 games, but ultimately it's a marathon not a sprint. They needed to manage Tatum better during this season to make sure he's fresh going into the playoffs and for the playoff grind. It's too late for that now. Just have to hope he doesn't burn out by May or June.

Liam's post was about playing everyone into the ground tonight, but I feel Mazz has done that most of this season. Only exception was Smart who missed a good chunk of time with his ankle injury and they eased him back in.

[Goldstar88]

You're just realizing this?

I've been saying this for a while. They've played guys like Tatum a ton already and I worry this could hurt us come playoff time as potential fatigue grows.

A lot of these other teams like the Bucks have been precautious with guys and resting guys from time to time and I think they are built nicely from a health and rest perspective.

What's the solution? Give guys (more) time off, and lose more games, and poorly situated come playoff time?

Also, Tatum is only playing 1.6 minutes more per game this season than he did last year.

[PAOBoston]

At this point, there are 16 games left.  Our expected starters from last season (Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, RWill) have only played together in 10 games for a total of 81 minutes.  Now RWill is out again.  I think we need to figure out what the core rotation is going to be and start playing them regularly.  If we don't get some continuity in these rotations between now and the end of the season, nothing else is going to matter.

I feel we are about at the point where we need to concede that RWill is not going to be available to play a set regular rotation.  Accept that and figure out what you want for a first unit and start playing that unit together as much as you can.  Not play people into the ground of course but start treating the rest of the season with more urgency (not less). 

I am not sure if that means going back to the small unit with White or if you start someone like Kornet or Griffin, just to preserve roles.  Someone though is going to have to pick up some minutes to make up for RWill.  I think him coming in and out of the starting unit causes discontinuity.  If he is used off the bench, and his availability is irregular, the impact is less.

I like Grant off the bench and it is not even clear that he is healthy enough for that role, so I don't want to start him.  I would probably elevate Griffin to a starter.  Still keep his minutes down to maybe 15 or so but use him in a defined role so that everyone else can have a defined role around that.  Keep White and Brogdon as bench guys playing starter minutes.

I know that Horford and Griffin have not played much together (6 gms, 47 min, -7) but I am not sure why they couldn't.

They can’t depend on R Williams. They need to pivot to their best starting lineup and that is Smart/White/JB/JT/Horford. Williams can come off the bench when/if he ever gets healthy.

[Who]

G: Smart, Brogdon
G: White, Brogdon
F: Jaylen, G Will
F: Tatum, G Will
C: Horford, Muscala

That is the 8 man rotation. Rob Williams can take Muscala's role when Rob is available to play as backup center.

Then we have Hauser (wing) and Pritchard (guard) as alternatives on the perimeter. And B Griffin and Kornet as 3rd/4th choice centers.