Minutes (2 Viewers)

[magnifier661]

This is true

I guess I am just shocked more people don't think having 4 of the top 40 players in MPG is too much

I mean there are 360 active players in the NBA. 150 starters, and we have 4 of the top 40 of them in MPG. Seems excessive

I guess if you don't think so, then we will have to agree to disagree

Lma is 11th in minutes, Killard is 20th, Matthews is 39th, batum is 23rd and Lopez is 85th.

Houston has 2 players in the top 10: harden #3, parson #9

Clippers have 3 players in the top 30: griffin 16, Paul and Jordan are 28 and 29.

What's the problem? Their season is over too?

 

[e_blazer]

I think the number of minutes LMA, Nic, Wesley, & Damian are playing qualifies as too many...or at least well above ideal. I think the fact that three out of the four of them were laid up at the end of last season can be traced at least in part to the number of minutes they were logging. It's down a bit this year, but not enough. They're young, so it's not as big of a deal as if they were older guys, and they're used to playing those minutes, but I'd like to see them down in the low 30's. That said, the real question is what can be done about it? It's been pretty apparent for a long time that, even though the bench is better, leads still tend to evaporate when the starters go out of the game. Maybe Olshey can pull off a trade that would bring in another seasoned player. Moving Robinson probably would make the most sense, trading potential for experience. Other than that, the bench is just going to have to grow into being a larger contributor. I'm hoping that the experiment with giving Leonard more minutes is successful in spacing the floor better so that the offense doesn't take such a hit when LMA goes off the court.

 

[BBert]

Lma is 11th in minutes, Killard is 20th, Matthews is 39th, batum is 23rd and Lopez is 85th.

Houston has 2 players in the top 10: harden #3, parson #9

Clippers have 3 players in the top 30: griffin 16, Paul and Jordan are 28 and 29.

What's the problem? Their season is over too?

I'm glad those other teams have starters who have to log that many minutes. The fact that they do does not mean our players should too. If Harden, Griffin and Paul hold hands and jump off a bridge, will you and Aldridge jump off a bridge too?

 

[BBert]

I would prefer our bench could hold a frikkin lead so our starters could get more rest and not be worn down and nursing nagging injuries leading into the playoffs.

I believe the more minutes played increases the probability of being worn down and nursing injuries (both major and minor).

 

[Draco]

Part of the reason our starters log more minutes as a group is our starters are our 5 best players. Many teams like OKC have guys such as Sefolosha and Perkins in their starting lineup that are limited role players; then they play other players in the 4th quarter. The Clippers played Crawford in the 4th quarter when he came off the bench. Many teams have one of their 5 best players coming off the bench. But we close out games with our starting unit.

Last season the Blazers had many games the starters were playing an exhaustive 40+ minutes then 32 minutes the next game when we got blown out. This season minutes have been more evenly distributed, which is easier on players, even though average minutes per game may be only slightly less than last year.

When the season is young as it has been up to now or when the Blazers have lots of days off as they have these few weeks right now the minutes are not a big concern at all.

March will be a month where starters minutes could be a concern. The team doesn't have more than one day off at a time, has three back to backs, and two long road trips.

I don't think playing 34-37mpg puts a player under the ago of 30 at a higher risk for injury. It can cause them to be fatigued and less effective in the minutes they are on the court.

So ideally we would like to see the bench play better and then the starters can have fewer minutes. That could improve the per minute efficiency of the starters. I wouldn't worry about it until the end of February and into March. After that the schedule is cake the last two weeks of the season so there is no concern about minutes then.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Lma is 11th in minutes, Killard is 20th, Matthews is 39th, batum is 23rd and Lopez is 85th.

Houston has 2 players in the top 10: harden #3, parson #9

Clippers have 3 players in the top 30: griffin 16, Paul and Jordan are 28 and 29.

What's the problem? Their season is over too?

Dude, you are becoming very Kingspeedy lately. When did I say "season over" I said I thought it would catch up with them at some point.

Seriously, I think some of you make shit up in your head as reality

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I don't know if I should be worried because I don't know how many minutes of hard practice per day each of the player's average.

 

[Draco]

I don't know if I should be worried because I don't know how many minutes of hard practice per day each of the player's average.

It's closely monitored... if the players need rest they do very little at practice and its low intensity. The bench players are the ones who practice hard.

 

[magnifier661]

Dude, you are becoming very Kingspeedy lately. When did I say "season over" I said I thought it would catch up with them at some point.

Seriously, I think some of you make shit up in your head as reality

You've been saying this team will not make the playoffs, struggle to say healthy or barely make the playoffs all season. I've stayed the same as well. You can call me what ever you like, I just don't think like you do.

This team is special and like any team, we are an injury away from a key starter to lose many games. Every team is.

What I'm saying is we are no different than any team. We have heavy minute producers and we have low minute reserves. We aren't the Lakers with a bench that gets more minutes than the starters, but the lakers aren't even in the playoff hunt right now. Understand?!

 

[Draco]

Casey and Freeman talked about this extensively on their podcast today. Suspect its mostly a point brought up by skeptics to explain away and diminish the Blazers hot start. Most national writers didn't pick the Blazers to make the playoffs so saying their starters won't be able to hold up is a way they can validate their failed predictions.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

The entire premise that these professional NBA athletes cannot play at a high level for 36-40 minutes, or that they should not play that long, every single game is so flawed and full of horse crap, made by people that aren't professional athletes (likely not even athletes) and never won a championship in any sport... ever.

It's their JOB to play as many minutes as it takes to win games. We should all only work 7 hour days, 5 days a week, and get 20 vacation days (+weekends), or we won't be able to function!!!! Shut the front door. They are paid millions because they CAN play at a high level for an entire game, every game. Generalizations and case studies don't amount to jack squat because we aren't talking about the retirement home in Brooklyn. We're talking about Portland, and we're talking about what make an NBA champion caliber team.

OKC 2009-2010: Played vs NBA champion Lakers in 1st round

Regular Season:
Durant 82 games played 39.5 mpg
Westbrick 82 games played 34.3 mpg
Jeff Green 82 games played 37.1 mpg
Thabo Sefolosha (played defense) 82 games played 28.6 mpg (split time with Harden who doesn't play D 76 games played 22.9 mpg - rookie season)

OKC 2010-2011: Played vs NBA champion Dallas in the Western Conference finals

Regular Season:
Durrant 78 games played 38.9 mpg
Westbrick 82 games played 34.7 mpg

OKC 2011-2012: Played vs Miami in the NBA finals

Regular season (66 game season):
Durant 66 games played 38.6 mpg
Westbrick 66 games played 35.3 mpg

OKC 2012-2013: Lost due to freak injury to Westbrick in 1st round vs Houston

Regular season:
Durant 81 games played 38.5 mpg (age 24)
Westbrick 82 games played 34.9 mpg (age 24)


Why not include Miami? They played in the weakest division in the entire NBA for YEARS and could afford to sit players out with the game in hand. Well, OK:

2010-11 reg season (NBA finals vs Dallas)
LeBron 79 games 38.8 mpg
Wade 76 games 37.1 mpg
Bosh 77 games 36.3 mpg

2011-2012 reg season (NBA champions - 66 game season)
LeBron 62 games 37.5 mpg
Wade 49 games 33.2 mpg
Bosh 57 games 35.2 mpg

2012-2013 reg season (NBA champions)
LeBron 76 games 37.9 mpg (age 28)
Wade 69 games 34.7 mpg (age 31)
Bosh 74 games 33.2 mpg (age 29)

Elite players play. That's what makes them elite. You cannot afford to take them out of the game without lowering your chance at winning. This is the difference between champions and chumps. I find it ironic that some "fans" who talk about why this team isn't a championship contender, also say the players play too many minutes.

The argument about injuries is stupid as well. People disingenuously refuse to distinguish between wear and tear, and freak accident. Westbrick's injury last season was a freak accident. It shouldn't even be considered, affects every single team in the NBA with ZERO predictability and EXTREMELY WEAK correlation to time played. You disagree? Then don't ever drive a car again, because people die in car accidents.

It's all loud noise from people trying to rationalize and cope with how low ball their expectations were, seeking validation or hoping for failure. Either way, this is an argument for losers, not champions. Pick a side.

If you're too lazy to look up:

LA 37.1 mpg (12th - age 28)
Lillard 36.1 mpg (20th - age 23)
Batum 35.7 mpg (23rd - age 25)
Wes 34 mpg (41st - age 27)


We've been so accustom to playing for the scraps, we forgot what a championship team looks like in Portland. Wake up! We don't have a Big 3, we have a Big FOUR. Four, elite players, and TWO league MVP candidates that are killing the entire NBA in offense and have the best record in the NBA as of today. Enjoy the show.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Casey and Freeman talked about this extensively on their podcast today. Suspect its mostly a point brought up by skeptics to explain away and diminish the Blazers hot start. Most national writers didn't pick the Blazers to make the playoffs so saying their starters won't be able to hold up is a way they can validate their failed predictions.

Gonna listen to it during the rocks/memph game. Thanks for tip. Sounds like they might share my opinion from your summary.

 

[cmeese47]

The entire premise that these professional NBA athletes cannot play at a high level for 36-40 minutes, or that they should not play that long, every single game is so flawed and full of horse crap, made by people that aren't professional athletes (likely not even athletes) and never won a championship in any sport... ever.

It's their JOB to play as many minutes as it takes to win games. We should all only work 7 hour days, 5 days a week, and get 20 vacation days (+weekends), or we won't be able to function!!!! Shut the front door. They are paid millions because they CAN play at a high level for an entire game, every game. Generalizations and case studies don't amount to jack squat because we aren't talking about the retirement home in Brooklyn. We're talking about Portland, and we're talking about what make an NBA champion caliber team.

OKC 2009-2010: Played vs NBA champion Lakers in 1st round

Regular Season:
Durant 82 games played 39.5 mpg
Westbrick 82 games played 34.3 mpg
Jeff Green 82 games played 37.1 mpg
Thabo Sefolosha (played defense) 82 games played 28.6 mpg (split time with Harden who doesn't play D 76 games played 22.9 mpg - rookie season)

OKC 2010-2011: Played vs NBA champion Dallas in the Western Conference finals

Regular Season:
Durrant 78 games played 38.9 mpg
Westbrick 82 games played 34.7 mpg

OKC 2011-2012: Played vs Miami in the NBA finals

Regular season (66 game season):
Durant 66 games played 38.6 mpg
Westbrick 66 games played 35.3 mpg

OKC 2012-2013: Lost due to freak injury to Westbrick in 1st round vs Houston

Regular season:
Durant 81 games played 38.5 mpg (age 24)
Westbrick 82 games played 34.9 mpg (age 24)


Why not include Miami? They played in the weakest division in the entire NBA for YEARS and could afford to sit players out with the game in hand. Well, OK:

2010-11 reg season (NBA finals vs Dallas)
LeBron 79 games 38.8 mpg
Wade 76 games 37.1 mpg
Bosh 77 games 36.3 mpg

2011-2012 reg season (NBA champions - 66 game season)
LeBron 62 games 37.5 mpg
Wade 49 games 33.2 mpg
Bosh 57 games 35.2 mpg

2012-2013 reg season (NBA champions)
LeBron 76 games 37.9 mpg (age 28)
Wade 69 games 34.7 mpg (age 31)
Bosh 74 games 33.2 mpg (age 29)

Elite players play. That's what makes them elite. You cannot afford to take them out of the game without lowering your chance at winning. This is the difference between champions and chumps. I find it ironic that some "fans" who talk about why this team isn't a championship contender, also say the players play too many minutes.

The argument about injuries is stupid as well. People disingenuously refuse to distinguish between wear and tear, and freak accident. Westbrick's injury last season was a freak accident. It shouldn't even be considered, affects every single team in the NBA with ZERO predictability and EXTREMELY WEAK correlation to time played. You disagree? Then don't ever drive a car again, because people die in car accidents.

It's all loud noise from people trying to rationalize and cope with how low ball their expectations were, seeking validation or hoping for failure. Either way, this is an argument for losers, not champions. Pick a side.

If you're too lazy to look up:

LA 37.1 mpg (12th - age 28)
Lillard 36.1 mpg (20th - age 23)
Batum 35.7 mpg (23rd - age 25)
Wes 34 mpg (41st - age 27)


We've been so accustom to playing for the scraps, we forgot what a championship team looks like in Portland. Wake up! We don't have a Big 3, we have a Big FOUR. Four, elite players, and TWO league MVP candidates that are killing the entire NBA in offense and have the best record in the NBA as of today. Enjoy the show.

Lebron Wade or Bosh did not play a full 82 game schedule. They also only had one player average over 35.3 minutes in Lebron we have 3. Are we playing too many minutes who knows, but we certainly could use an additional piece off the bench to give the starting five a little more rest.

Still I have to agree for millions of dollars, nutritionist, trainers, sleep therapists, massage therapists etc. are all available to the team so I think the concern is probably over blown. Especially considering the lack of intensity the team exerts on the defensive side of the ball each night.

 

[Draco]

Gonna listen to it during the rocks/memph game. Thanks for tip. Sounds like they might share my opinion from your summary.

I'd like to apologize for mentioning it. Their podcast is terrible! 80% of it is how they came up with Twitter handles (WE DON'T CARE) or why they don't want to work on Christmas (WE DON'T CARE).

The minutes part was interesting.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

I'd like to apologize for mentioning it. Their podcast is terrible! 80% of it is how they came up with Twitter handles (WE DON'T CARE) or why they don't want to work on Christmas (WE DON'T CARE).

The minutes part was interesting.

It was terrible. More horrible "life in the day of" experiences from a couple of geeks. I skipped through most of it, but I think my post went further than they went. Casey said he wanted to know why he was wrong about his predictions, not make excuses for why he wasn't. It's a step in the right direction.

 

[magnifier661]

Well MM, Westbrook is out for significant games. You said they are contenders, so let's see how they respond.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Well MM, Westbrook is out for significant games. You said they are contenders, so let's see how they respond.

Portland catching another break?

Lebron possibly out tonight and Westbrrok out?

 

[Strenuus]

Portland catching another break?

Lebron possibly out tonight and Westbrrok out?

I hope Lebron plays. But, if we catch the breaks, it's not our fault or the schedulers fault. Shit happens and it shouldn't be held against the team.

Again, though, I really hope Lebron plays.

 

[magnifier661]

Portland catching another break?

Lebron possibly out tonight and Westbrrok out?

It sure seems that way

 

[borim69]

Minutes do matter IMO but the quality of rest can be a little deceiving. Most of our starters are rested 2-3 minutes before each quarter ends and 1-2 minutes after the quarter starts. At the start of the 3rd sometimes you don't see 1 or 2 of the starters to start the second half. So they are logging on a lot of mins. but the quality of the time off is as important , if not more, than the amount of time off

 

[Samuel]

It was terrible. More horrible "life in the day of" experiences from a couple of geeks. I skipped through most of it, but I think my post went further than they went. Casey said he wanted to know why he was wrong about his predictions, not make excuses for why he wasn't. It's a step in the right direction.

It blows my mind how little Casey has learned about podcasting since he's been doing it (which is a while). They literally didn't get to basketball talk until about 17-18m in. You're right that the audience does not care about press credentials, 'a day in the life of a content farmer' or restaurant recommendations. They care about details that their access allows them, and their point of view when it comes to the team and the basketball. Freeman is a huge plus, though, and is much more concise with his points. Hoping they stick to basketball and edit out the rest.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

It blows my mind how little Casey has learned about podcasting since he's been doing it (which is a while). They literally didn't get to basketball talk until about 17-18m in. You're right that the audience does not care about press credentials, 'a day in the life of a content farmer' or restaurant recommendations. They care about details that their access allows them, and their point of view when it comes to the team and the basketball. Freeman is a huge plus, though, and is much more concise with his points. Hoping they stick to basketball and edit out the rest.

Casey is nice. And he tries hard. And his blog is actually a decent read. And I do read it, specifically because he includes extended audio interview of the players post game. But ya, Casey isn't a basketball mind, he's a journalist major. So, you just have to view him through that lens, and hope he can improve like a Meyers Leonard type when it comes to talking bball.

 

[riverman]

Casey is nice. And he tries hard. And his blog is actually a decent read. And I do read it, specifically because he includes extended audio interview of the players post game. But ya, Casey isn't a basketball mind, he's a journalist major. So, you just have to view him through that lens, and hope he can improve like a Meyers Leonard type when it comes to talking bball.

I agree with this. Casey writes a really good blog, one of my favorites about the Blazers but he's not good on camera or with a microphone anywhere near him. He has eliminated some ummms but he's better behind the scenes. He needs a voice coach and some theater classes if he wants to do that sort of work. He's a writer first and foremost.

 

[riverman]

Minutes, back on topic, people also who add up players minutes seem to forget to factor in how many overtime games are played. That makes a huge difference and is why stats don't always mean squat when you look at the big picture.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

I agree with this. Casey writes a really good blog, one of my favorites about the Blazers but he's not good on camera or with a microphone anywhere near him. He has eliminated some ummms but he's better behind the scenes. He needs a voice coach and some theater classes if he wants to do that sort of work. He's a writer first and foremost.

He is unfortunately very much unlike LA. I actually don't here the "you know" when LA talks because I'm hanging on his every word to hear him drop some knowledge. When Casey says, uhm, I'm not waiting. lol

And this is pretty funny to me. I was listening to Stotts and I think even Blazer fans don't understand just how amazing and deep the chemistry runs in the team. Listen to Stotts' interviews. He says "you know" A LOT. LOL LA is rubbing off on him. I love it.