Minutes Theory

[ScoobyDoo]

Ok, so the Celts beat Miami easily, then lose to the Cavs; same thign as last year. Starters are bored, apathetic and not dominant. But we know they will be come June, if they are healthy. KG, Ray and Pierce for all intensive purposes have a two year window.

If you are coach, what is your broad minutes strategy over this year and next? Here is mine, knowing that this core of KG, Ray and Pierce will not be the driving force of this team two years form now.

1. I play the starters (except Rondo) only enough minutes to keep them in rhythm, and no more. This keeps them healhty all year and you can ramp up their minutes before and through the playoffs, when they are actually dialed in and ready to play, for real.

2. In the meantime, I put "enormous" pressure, heat and intensity on my young guns every game, all season. I play them as heavy of minutes as I can and ride the crap out of them so they feel the necessity of taking responsibility for wins.

Perkins ( when he comes back), Erden, Baby, Harangody, Daniels, DWest and Rondo.

These young guys, plus whoever we can add through the draft and free agency in 2012, even if KG and Ray come back in reduced roles, are going to have to take over the reigns.

I start that process now. Keep the starters and vets primed for the playoff run when they will domintate the minutes for good reason but start laying more and more heat on my young guns now, getting them ready to eventually take over.

At the end of the season, your entire team is stronger.

If the starters aren't bringing it, if they're apathetic, I go to my young guys and tell them this is your game if you can take it. Go, earn it. You won't come out if you're winning it convincingly, show me what you can do.

The starters should have to compete for playing time as well.

But more than that, I just think, knwoing what's coming, it's a smart move. Godd for the Vets, good for the young guys.   

 

[clover]

Doc's not going to be pressuring KP on minutes when he comes back from his injury.  Also, he's obviously going to play his aged horses long when they're in a tight big game.

[mmbaby]

I see your point and can agree with some of what you said.
But Doc is going to play his legendary MVP's and give them lots of time. Hopefully they won't get injured in the process.

Rhondo will be fine. He's truly an awesome point guard and I believe he will find a way to correct any of his deficiencies in good time. He is very intelligent and motivated and I think he is just still young and prone to getting nervous sometimes because of that.

[Atzar]

I see your point and can agree with some of what you said.
But Doc is going to play his legendary MVP's and give them lots of time. Hopefully they won't get injured in the process.

Rhondo will be fine. He's truly an awesome point guard and I believe he will find a way to correct any of his deficiencies in good time. He is very intelligent and motivated and I think he is just still young and prone to getting nervous sometimes because of that.

Who is Rhondo?

[Chris]

I don't think Doc will (nor should he) give one fraction of a thought to 2 years down the line.  He knows that chances are, the majority of those guys will either not be here at that point, and even if they are, they will likely still be playing similar roles just behind different players. 

More importantly though, he knows that all that matters is winning a championship NOW, because he knows how hard it is going to be to get back to the top once the big 3 are gone, so they need to take advantage of it now.

So, I think he will play Rondo young star minutes (about 38-42 minutes per game).  He will play the big 3, old star minutes (30-35 minutes per game).  Shaq will be limited to old fogey minutes (15-25 minutes per game).  Then, everyone else will get minutes depending on who is healthy at that time, who is playing well, and what the matchups are. 

Doc is going to be balancing trying to win every game with limiting the old guys minutes.  He is going to limit them in most games (certain games will be more than others), but then he will hand out the rest of the minutes in the way he sees will help them best win that particular game.

[BballTim]

1. I play the starters (except Rondo) only enough minutes to keep them in rhythm, and no more. This keeps them healhty all year and you can ramp up their minutes before and through the playoffs, when they are actually dialed in and ready to play, for real.

  I'd be willing to bet that Paul and Ray would say you need about 35 minutes a game to stay in rhythm.

[ScoobyDoo]

Yeah, I hear ya. I know it's hard to sit these guys. I looked at the box score for the Miami game and I saw, 40 minutes, 39 and 37 for our big three and was like, Uh...But I understand we defiantely want to beat Miami every time we play them, don't give them any hope...

But in the long run I'm wondering, with our bench this year, if there was a way to ride the young legs much more throughout the season, saving our vets for when it matters as much as possible.

I'd live to see all those guys at 25-30 all season, with Rondo and our other young guys carrying alot more of the load.

But I understand / agree Tim, I think you're right re the 30-35 minute mark from Pierce and Ray...as long as they don't get ground down, I'm fine, just want to see them all at 100% at the right time.

Also true re Perkins...         

[vinnie]

If Pierce, Ray and KG play 25-30 minutes a game, this team won't even get the 4th playoff seed. Probably somewhere between 6-8th. They have to play at least 35 a game.