Minutes/rotation once Pietrus is healthy..

[snively]

I think Daniels will be in real danger of slipping out of the regular rotation once MP is healthy. Playmaking, floor-spacing and defense have always been Doc’s priorities (as they are for most coaches): MP’s 3+D will allow Doc to sub Pierce early, while preserving floor spacing, and then return Pierce to the floor to act as playmaker with Dooling, MP, Bass and Wilcox or Stiemsma.  Daniels’ defense and limited play-making ability would thus be less valued alongside Pierce than the defense and floor-spacing ability of Dooling and MP.

Not that I’m crazy about Dooling supplanting Daniels in the rotation: he offers solid defense, streaky shooting and inadequacies everywhere else.  It’s just that Daniels’s deficiencies are overwhelming his moderate positive contributions with the 2nd unit. 

[PosImpos]

I think Daniels will be in real danger of slipping out of the regular rotation once MP is healthy. Playmaking, floor-spacing and defense have always been Doc’s priorities (as they are for most coaches): MP’s 3+D will allow Doc to sub Pierce early, while preserving floor spacing, and then return Pierce to the floor to act as playmaker with Dooling, MP, Bass and Wilcox or Stiemsma.  Daniels’ defense and limited play-making ability would thus be less valued alongside Pierce than the defense and floor-spacing ability of Dooling and MP.

Not that I’m crazy about Dooling supplanting Daniels in the rotation: he offers solid defense, streaky shooting and inadequacies everywhere else.  It’s just that Daniels’s deficiencies are overwhelming his moderate positive contributions with the 2nd unit. 

Daniels hasn't played particularly well this year so far, anyway.

[PosImpos]

Pierce won't play fewer than 34 minutes a game.  Probably more like 35.

Not too sure about that. He's been at 34 the last couple of years, but that this with more frequent rest in between games. The condensed schedule should allow his MPG to drop. He's at 28 MPG, now and think he'll be around 32 MPG eventually.

yeah, blowout games might lower his per game average, but in games that matter, Pierce and Ray will continue to play 35+ minutes.  that's just how Doc operates.

That's just how Thibs, Mike Brown, Scott Skiles, Mark Jackson, Rick Carlisle, *insert every single coach who isn't Greg Popavich* is as well.

that's true, but managing minutes is part of what makes Greg Popovich such a great coach.

[birdwatcher]

Even though it's not that obvious, Quis actually has played okay--his shot just isn't falling. I don't expect him to make open baseline 3's cause that's not his game. But I'm sure Doc tells everyone to shoot when they're open. He has been getting to the hole everytime he's on the floor, but the ball just doesn't fall. He's getting there, the execution is there--it will change for him. Defensively he has been pretty decent, just overmatched by guys like Melo who pretty much nobody can stop unless he's on the bench. He will get time. But Pietrus can play that Tony Allen role everyone covets. He can hit the 3, he plays solid D and he's a veteran presence. If he picks up the schemes, he'll be on the floor. If anything it means Sasha gets banished even further down the bench, and Paul and Ray may get a few extra minutes off.

[homericepisode]

Even though it's not that obvious, Quis actually has played okay--his shot just isn't falling. I don't expect him to make open baseline 3's cause that's not his game. But I'm sure Doc tells everyone to shoot when they're open. He has been getting to the hole everytime he's on the floor, but the ball just doesn't fall. He's getting there, the execution is there--it will change for him. Defensively he has been pretty decent, just overmatched by guys like Melo who pretty much nobody can stop unless he's on the bench. He will get time. But Pietrus can play that Tony Allen role everyone covets. He can hit the 3, he plays solid D and he's a veteran presence. If he picks up the schemes, he'll be on the floor. If anything it means Sasha gets banished even further down the bench, and Paul and Ray may get a few extra minutes off.

TP for your Birthday--hope it's a good one!

[Celticjay]

I think Wilcox will be a factor at some point once he gets his wind and comfortable with the system..  Just not sure there are minutes since he is clearly not a center.  He looks no more than 6-9  and has a very thin lower body...

[Fafnir]

that's true, but managing minutes is part of what makes Greg Popovich such a great coach.

It hasn't kept his players notably healthier than other players their age though.

[Fafnir]

Daniels hasn't played particularly well this year so far, anyway.

He seems to be making good decisions, but messing them up hugely in execution.

Just can't get the ball in the hoop for some reason even on his good shots.

[Kane3387]

Like to transplant Bass's brain into Jeff Greens body.

I got a nice chuckle out of this one. I completely I agree with you lol. TP

[TA9]

Daniels has been playing fine.
His defense is okay, but what i dont like is his Offense. He should stop shooting jumpers! Drive to the hoop thats what you get paid for!

When Pietrus returns he will likely provide the Backup SF, and Daniels will be moved to SG. Its sad that Avery is gon lose minutes.

[stylo617617]

rondo-35
Allen-30
PP-30
KG-26
J.O-20

Dooling-13
Daniels-15
Petrus-21
Bass-28
Wilcox-16
Stiesma-8

-----
playoff rotation
rondo-42
Allen-37
PP-36
kG-34
JO-19

dooling-12
petrus-17
BASS-30
Wilcox-13

garabge unit
Bradley
moore
daniels
JJJ
stiesma

[Celticjay]

rondo-35
Allen-30
PP-30
KG-26
J.O-20

Dooling-13
Daniels-15
Petrus-21
Bass-28
Wilcox-16
Stiesma-8

-----
playoff rotation
rondo-42
Allen-37
PP-36
kG-34
JO-19

dooling-12
petrus-17
BASS-30
Wilcox-13

garabge unit
Bradley
moore
daniels
JJJ
stiesma

I'm down for this..  Still need another piece to have any shot against Miami.

Who could that be?  I just don't know.   Jeff Green would have fit the bill..