Top teams minutes management

[coco]

Minutes management on a championship caliber team is a tricky business.  I mean, how do you win games now without running on fumes when it really matters(i.e. late May and June)? Let’s take a look at some of NBA’s contenders and see how they are doing:

Celtics
PPierce(37:42), RAllen(36:30), KGarnett(32:12)

Spurs
TParker(33:42), TDuncan(34:36), MGinobili(27:11)

Lakers
Kobe(36:12), PGasol(36:30), ABynum(29:06), LOdom(28:48)

Cavs
LeBron(37:30),  MWilliams(34:30),  Zydrunas(27:06)

Magic
DHoward(36:00),  RLewis(36:42),  Hedo(36:53)

Jazz
DWilliams(36:17),  MOkur(34:42),  Boozer(30:48)


Yep, PPierce’s old legs are averaging more minutes than any other “star” on a contender team.  How intesting!!   

[Celtics1990]

That was a very interesting breakdown.  TP for the info.

[cordobes]

Yeah, why isn't our backup wing playing more?! Oh wait...

[Roy Hobbs]

What's most bothersome to me is the minutes down the stretch, in February and March:

February / March:

Celtics
PPierce(41.1 / 43.3), RAllen(37.3 / 38.0), KGarnett(29.8 / INJ)

Spurs
TParker(34.8 / 30.8 ), TDuncan(35.7 / 28.2), MGinobili(27:1 / 31.8 )

Lakers
Kobe(36.5 / 32.3), PGasol(40.5 / 33.3), ABynum (INJ), LOdom(36.3 / 26.0)

Cavs
LeBron(36.2 / 40.4),  MWilliams(36.5 / 37.6),  Zydrunas(28.1 / 29.0)

Magic
DHoward(36.4 / 34.0),  RLewis(36.4, 36.0),  Hedo(35.6 / 38.7)

Jazz
DWilliams(37.2 / 41.0),  MOkur(34.6 / 35.5),  Boozer(20.3 / 29.3)

No player on that list has averaged more minutes than Paul Pierce in either of the last two months.  That's a bit concerning to me.

[Redz]

Lebron's minutes have to be a career low.

[Celtics1990]

Those numbers for Pierce are really disturbing.  Considering they came after he said he was tired and needed a rest.

I know this isn't a huge milestone, but it's my 200th post!

[Roy Hobbs]

I know this isn't a huge milestone, but it's my 200th post!

Congrats!  +1.

[nickagneta]

For some perspective let's take a look at the teams in the last 5 Finals and see what their stars were averaging in minutes in the regular season:

2008
Boston: Pierce 35.9
LA: Kobe 38.9

2007
SA: Duncan 34.1
Cleveland: LeBron 40.9

2006
Miami: Wade 38.6
Dallas: Nowitzki: 38.1

2005
SA: Parker: 34.3
Detroit: All 5 starters between 34.0-38.5

2004
Detroit: Wallace 37.7 - three other starters over 35
LA: Kobe 37.6


So, when comparing the minutes our Big Three have played this season versus the minutes other stars on Finals teams have played for the last 5 years, it's in range and pretty average. Popovich plays his people less then other but all the other coaches played their stars similar minutes or minutes even greater than what the Big Three are averaging.

I don't particularly like the trend of Pierce and Allen's minutes but given the desire to win and the dirth of injuries, it's understandable.

[Celtics1990]

If you look at that breakdown, the teams who's stars played the most minutes usually ended up losing in the Finals.  Miami in 2006 and Detroit in 2004 do not follow this trend.

[nickagneta]

If you look at that breakdown, the teams who's stars played the most minutes usually ended up losing in the Finals.  Miami in 2006 and Detroit in 2004 do not follow this trend.

Go back further and take a look at the Lakers with Shaq and Kobe averaging over 37 MPG and the Bulls with Pippen and Jordan, on teams that were blowing perople out on a nightly basis averaging 38 MPG.

The point I am trying to make is that the total minutes played thus far this year is not exorbitant or out of line with teams that have made and won the NBA title for years and years and years.

[Roy Hobbs]

If you look at that breakdown, the teams who's stars played the most minutes usually ended up losing in the Finals.  Miami in 2006 and Detroit in 2004 do not follow this trend.

Go back further and take a look at the Lakers with Shaq and Kobe averaging over 37 MPG and the Bulls with Pippen and Jordan, on teams that were blowing perople out on a nightly basis averaging 38 MPG.

The point I am trying to make is that the total minutes played thus far this year is not exorbitant or out of line with teams that have made and won the NBA title for years and years and years.

Thus far, sure.  But how many of those teams had their best player averaging around 42 minutes in the second half of the season?  I think most people just want to make sure that this trend doesn't continue, especially with Paul Pierce complaining repeatedly about fatigue concerns.

[Celtics1990]

If you look at that breakdown, the teams who's stars played the most minutes usually ended up losing in the Finals.  Miami in 2006 and Detroit in 2004 do not follow this trend.

Go back further and take a look at the Lakers with Shaq and Kobe averaging over 37 MPG and the Bulls with Pippen and Jordan, on teams that were blowing perople out on a nightly basis averaging 38 MPG.

The point I am trying to make is that the total minutes played thus far this year is not exorbitant or out of line with teams that have made and won the NBA title for years and years and years.

Thus far, sure.  But how many of those teams had their best player averaging around 42 minutes in the second half of the season?  I think most people just want to make sure that this trend doesn't continue, especially with Paul Pierce complaining repeatedly about fatigue concerns.

Exactly. I was not trying to be confrontational, I was just saying that our mission is not to just reach the Finals. Everyone knows that our mission is to win another title.

[nickagneta]

If you look at that breakdown, the teams who's stars played the most minutes usually ended up losing in the Finals.  Miami in 2006 and Detroit in 2004 do not follow this trend.

Go back further and take a look at the Lakers with Shaq and Kobe averaging over 37 MPG and the Bulls with Pippen and Jordan, on teams that were blowing perople out on a nightly basis averaging 38 MPG.

The point I am trying to make is that the total minutes played thus far this year is not exorbitant or out of line with teams that have made and won the NBA title for years and years and years.

Thus far, sure.  But how many of those teams had their best player averaging around 42 minutes in the second half of the season?  I think most people just want to make sure that this trend doesn't continue, especially with Paul Pierce complaining repeatedly about fatigue concerns.

As I said, I don't like the trend any more than anyone else but given the desire of this team to get HCA and trying to do it with one third of the roster going down to injury in the mean time, I can understand it.

And as much as Pierce is complaining, I have also read reports that he was just as adamently demanding to be played more so they could win when people went down.

Considering he’s been an accessory to the alleged crime by repeatedly telling Rivers he wants to stay in games, the fact he’s saying otherwise now is stunning.

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/doc-rivers-takes-blame-for-paul-pierce-fatigue-209098.html

I think Pierce is as much in fault for his minutes as Doc is because he has a burning desire to be the best once again. Best record and Finals Champ is his goal.

[Roy Hobbs]

It's not Pierce's job to manage his minutes, though.  Even Doc has admitted that he's not doing a good job here.  I don't think it's fair to deflect the blame on to Pierce.

(I do think, though, that Danny deserves a modicum of criticism for not having a legit backup 3 on the roster.  Even before the injuries, neither Tony nor Scal was what one would consider an adequate small forward.)

[Steve Weinman]

It's not Pierce's job to manage his minutes, though.  Even Doc has admitted that he's not doing a good job here.  I don't think it's fair to deflect the blame on to Pierce.

(I do think, though, that Danny deserves a modicum of criticism for not having a legit backup 3 on the roster.  Even before the injuries, neither Tony nor Scal was what one would consider an adequate small forward.)

Sadly, I find modicum a bit too kind there, Roy.  Other than that, agreed.   

-sw