Are you worried about Stotts riding the starters too much?

[Samuel]

Sure, it may be premature to ask. But given the injuries and data from last season, and early returns this season (link) it appears we're in for another season where Stotts rides the starters quite a bit.

CJ McCollum's return should help this somewhat, and T-Rob's steady improvement. But I worry there might be something to this. Thoughts?

 

[Strenuus]

A little bit. It looks like they're playing a bit less.

But you gotta understand, we didn't close out Toronto, had a devil of a time tonight. Also PHX at home, etc. We have closed some games, others though...

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Need to rest the guys pop style every so often

 

[Strenuus]

Need to rest the guys pop style every so often

I'd love to see one game where our S5 all sits for the entire game.

Then do an over/under on how many they score.

 

[Rhal]

Its 12 games into the season, its not an issue right now. If in another 10 games our starters are still playing this many minutes then i'll be slightly worried.

 

[Samuel]

Need to rest the guys pop style every so often

That seems to be a luxury afforded only to teams with systems that have existed for many years.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

That seems to be a luxury afforded only to teams with systems that have existed for many years.

Yeah, wouldn't hurt to give guys games tho, could have sat a guy tonight and prolly still won

 

[Samuel]

Yeah, wouldn't hurt to give guys games tho, could have sat a guy tonight and prolly still won

I would have let Wright or T-Rob close out the game (but not both). Both had decent energy tonight.

 

[Nikolokolus]

That seems to be a luxury afforded only to teams with systems that have existed for many years.

Pretty much. That said, it sure would be nice to see Lillard, Alridge, Batum and the like average something like 34 a night and maybe with McCollum coming back and if Robinson can develop quickly enough maybe it will actually happen, but you don't get to give nights off unless you've got some hardware and your main guys are well North of 30.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Could have started the reserves and brought the starters off the bench. Teams should do that.

 

[Strenuus]

Could have started the reserves and brought the starters off the bench. Teams should do that.

For most teams they are playing catch up the rest of the night. That's why this is never done.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I think Mo/wright/Claver/trob/free could take 'em

If not, pull em after 5 minutes, minimal.harm done

 

[BlazerCaravan]

That includes an overtime game; Stotts has been really good about giving starters decent rest.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

They are relatively young and would probably be pissed playing less. I would also think playing high minutes would be easier when winning instead of losing. Seemed like they were working harder for everything last year.

I think Dorrell Wright would love more playing time though.

 

[PapaG]

Pretty much. That said, it sure would be nice to see Lillard, Alridge, Batum and the like average something like 34 a night and maybe with McCollum coming back and if Robinson can develop quickly enough maybe it will actually happen, but you don't get to give nights off unless you've got some hardware and your main guys are well North of 30.

Tonight, only Lillard had more than 35 minutes (38). I don't think having the rest of the starters sit out over a quarter a game is that bad, especially when how you consider the staff has adjusted rest patterns and are using TV timeouts and quarter breaks to extend the rest period.

 

[THE HCP]

I don't know, should we? What they averaging so far compared to last season?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

During the win streak...
LMA has posted Minutes Played of: 36, 36, 37, 38, 34, 43, 35, and 35.
Dame has posted Minutes Played of: 38, 37, 35, 35, 30, 42, 36, and 38.

Stotts is watching their minutes to the gnat's ass over the course of multiple games. When needed, they play more, but then play a little less the next game. It's no coincidence both LMA and Dame are within 3 minutes of each other in MP. They are being monitored closely, and I trust Stotts.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I say go all in for the Chicago game. Ride the starters hard and get the W.
Then on Saturday only play them half the game.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

I don't know, should we? What they averaging so far compared to last season?

LA down 0.6,
Damian down 1.6,
Wesley down 0.2,
Nic down 3.4

More importantly,

Leonard down almost 17.5.

 

[THE HCP]

LA down 0.6,
Damian down 1.6,
Wesley down 0.2,
Nic down 3.4

More importantly,

Leonard down almost 17.5.

Thank you

 

[Draco]

I do think we are playing the starters less minutes than last season. There were many games we had to keep them out there 40+ to have a chance, but then we got blown out a few games where they sat a bunch bringing their average down. This season is different, we don't have to rush starters back in the game so the minutes haven't been as difficult and are more steady game to game.

But as the season goes on I think our starters productivity per minutes may begin to decrease if they play this many minutes.

Parker is the only Spur averaging over 30 MPG and he is at 31.5. They have young guys too Kawhi is only 22, younger than any player in our rotation. I think Stotts should play our starters fewer minutes. Wright can see the largest increase, up to 20mpg+. Keep Mo just under 30. Freeland or TRob can get a few more minutes but they are making some mistakes out there so I would be cautious in how I used them.

 

[Public Defender]

Aldridge & Lillard are averaging right around 37 minutes a game, according to nba.com. It's the 12th and 13th most minutes in the league - meaning they're not bearing the same kind of load as Carmelo Anthony for New York (almost 40 minutes over 11 games), or Kevin Durant (39.7 mpg), but it's definitely on the high side. After that, Batum at 35 mpg is the only one playing relatively heavy minutes.

Are those a problem? I think the Blazers are trying to set a predictable rhythm for everyone - and considering how many new players there are coming off the bench, that may take a while. But I think once Wright, Williams, and T-Rob settle into their roles, they'll be trusted to play a couple more minutes a night, and that'll help bring Aldridge and Lillard down a little.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Stotts is riding them? I didn't know so many of the Blazers swung that way.

 

[magnifier661]

Stotts is riding them? I didn't know so many of the Blazers swung that way.

There are those posters that are really good with delivery. You aren't one of them...

 

[Wizard Mentor]

For all the winning they're not blowing teams out. If they do that then they can rest.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I'd love to see one game where our S5 all sits for the entire game.

Then do an over/under on how many they score.

I bet they would hold their own, depending on the opponent

 

[PapaG]

For all the winning they're not blowing teams out. If they do that then they can rest.

They're +5.7 in MOV. That's not too bad, considering they have played two more games on the road than at home. In the NBA, unless a team is up by 20 with 3 minutes left (or 30 with a quarter left), the starters typically don't have their minutes deviate more than a few minutes/game.

 

[Eastoff]

They are relatively young and would probably be pissed playing less. I would also think playing high minutes would be easier when winning instead of losing.

Yeah, maybe if we are down some ridiculous 20 points in the 3rd quarter, sit the starters for an extended period of time.

 

[illmatic99]

Indiana is in a similar boat with their starters all averaging ~35 mpg. It's not uncommon, but ya, I'd like to see these guys get some rest.

Particularly Dame because he gets knocked down so much.

Edit: looked it up.

Indiana:
PG- 37
Lance- 35
Hill- 31
West- 30
Hibbert- 30

Portland:
Dame- 37
LA- 37
Nic- 35
Wes- 35
Robin- 29

Very similar.

CJ coming back and TRob getting some more PT will help.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Indiana is in a similar boat with their starters all averaging ~35 mpg. It's not uncommon, but ya, I'd like to see these guys get some rest.

Particularly Dame because he gets knocked down so much.

Edit: looked it up.

Indiana:
PG- 37
Lance- 35
Hill- 31
West- 30
Hibbert- 30

Portland:
Dame- 37
LA- 37
Nic- 35
Wes- 35
Robin- 29

Very similar.

CJ coming back and TRob getting some more PT will help.

You would think CJ would reduce Wes' minutes a little. But Wright has not reduced Nic's by very much. And he is a vet who has been playing well. But I still am not concerned. Long season and I am sure Terry will find the right time to increase their roles.