Rotation and Minutes

[Rastapopoulos]

Of course it's way early to be talking about this but are people worried that Stotts still seems inclined to play the starters too much? It seems to me that he only really trusts three bench players, two of whom were predictable (Mo and Dorell) and one a surprise (Freeland). And even then, Wright's minutes are kind of scanty given that Stotts likes to play Lillard and Mo together and to play Batum the whole game. It's starting to look like the only way we'll see Claver, Leonard or Will at all is if there's a massive blowout or injuries. And if I was Wright I'd be a bit worried that I came to the wrong place.

 

[Sinobas]

Re: Roation and Minutes

We won't see any of our 3rd stringers unless there's an injury, or big foul trouble. Leonard, Claver, and Will haven't shown they're worthy of being in the rotation. I would like to see none of the starters averaging more than 36 minutes a game though. It's nice to have a bench that can come in and play with a burst of energy, no need to hold back when you're only playing 12 minutes a game.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Re: Roation and Minutes

I missed the last two games for various reasons, so I can't really comment on in-game tactics with respect to rotations, but something tells me that Stotts desperately wants to win early on in the season and establish some kind of identity for this team. Maybe if that gets accomplished we'll start to see some of the other guys sprinkled into the mix as the season goes on, but I'm OK with an 8 man rotation.

 

[julius]

Re: Roation and Minutes

I'm a little disappointed in Thomas's production, but it's not like he's been put in a good position yet. And Wright seems to get limited minutes.

I hope they don't continue these minutes (37+ for both Lillard and LaMarcus)

 

[Draco]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Yeah its a long NBA season and I want to see the team fresh in April. Playing backups more also prepares them when a guy misses an entire game. Wright has been the most deserving of additional minutes. He has been excellent in the time he's been given. I'd like to see our starters in the 32-35 mpg range, not close to 40. There is a chance it costs us a loss somewhere but the benefit of less fatigue and more experienced bench will outweigh that at the end of the year.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Hard to see where cj is gonna get any minutes

 

[Sinobas]

Re: Roation and Minutes

When is CJ supposed to be back anyway?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Re: Roation and Minutes

I'm a little disappointed in Thomas's production, but it's not like he's been put in a good position yet. And Wright seems to get limited minutes.

I hope they don't continue these minutes (37+ for both Lillard and LaMarcus)

Interestingly, Lillard has played 34 and 36 minutes in the two wins... success allows rest.

 

[Draco]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Hard to see where cj is gonna get any minutes

Yeah it could turn into a Jermaine Oneal situation. Sometimes having a bench is a damned if you do damned if you don't. We all saw the problems last season with no bench. But if you have a couple players deserving of minutes on the bench it can be impossible to get them time without someone being unhappy.

 

[julius]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Interestingly, Lillard has played 34 and 36 minutes in the two wins... success allows rest.

Yeah, the Phoenix game did kind of throw things off a bit (minute wise). Not sure why they played as much as they did.

 

[magnifier661]

Re: Roation and Minutes

I think the tighter rotation is to establish the starters in the new defensive system. Until they look as though they "get it", I expect them to have the majority of playing time.

I want to see more of the reserves too, but I really want our starters to know the system well.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Hard to see where cj is gonna get any minutes

I see CJ as Mo's understudy. I don't really see Mo as a Blazer for the long haul.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Re: Roation and Minutes

I think the tighter rotation is to establish the starters in the new defensive system. Until they look as though they "get it", I expect them to have the majority of playing time.

I want to see more of the reserves too, but I really want our starters to know the system well.

I agree. It was very important that this team did not have a disastrous start to the season. Terry could have lost the team, the fans, and his job. The tight rotation IMO is necessary until everyone is ready to contribute. I am sure he will ease them in gradually. But playing too many players while trying to change the system would not have worked. And quite frankly preseason was not helpful due to the injuries.

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Sorry, but I'm not going to lament Leonard, Will, and Claver not getting minutes. We have a nine man rotation right now, and that's how it should be.

Lillard
Wes
Batum
Aldridge
Lopez

With Mo, Freeland, Wright, and Robinson off the bench in that order. I'm fine with that. We'll have to worry about CJ when we cross that bridge.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Can somebody add a "t" to the "Roation" in the thread title? It's bugging me.

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Can somebody add a "t" to the "Roation" in the thread title? It's bugging me.

Done and done.

 

[magnifier661]

Can somebody take off the "t" please?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Can somebody take off the "t" please?

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Re: Roation and Minutes

When is CJ supposed to be back anyway?

Hopefully by Christmas.

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Hopefully by Christmas.

Yeah, and then you have to figure at least a month before he's back in game shape.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Done and done.

Ta.

 

[B-Roy]

Re: Roation and Minutes

Yeah, the Phoenix game did kind of throw things off a bit (minute wise). Not sure why they played as much as they did.

Uh, because they were losing and trying to get back into the game, and the bench was doing jack.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

What are the odds of a consistent contribution from CJ? Love the guy, but is anyone else concerned about his ability to play injury-free from here forward after breaking the bone twice in his foot?

 

[Draco]

What are the odds of a consistent contribution from CJ? Love the guy, but is anyone else concerned about his ability to play injury-free from here forward after breaking the bone twice in his foot?

No. Bones breaking isn't a big deal. Bones heal 100%. Its soft tissue injuries that are chronic.

 

[JDC]

I agree that minutes are going to be hard to come by for CJ, but I think he could bring a different look than Mo and Dame.

The ability to get a shot off without a screen.

Just not sure if he has the quickness or strength to get in the lane consistently.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

CJ will earn his minutes for sure. I believe by seasons end he will be getting 18 minutes a night though.

 

[Natebishop3]

CJ will earn his minutes for sure. I believe by seasons end he will be getting 18 minutes a night though.

From where though?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

From where though?

BGD would say Wes once he is traded. I wouldn't go that far but as good as he has been we know there is a issue there with him breaking down. He could stand to have less minutes. Not 18 less though of course.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

From where though?

Lillard (30) / Williams (10) / McCollum (6)
Matthews (28) / McCollum (12) / Lillard (4) / Williams (4)
Batum (34) / Wright (10) / Matthews (4)
Aldridge (30) / Robinson (12) / Wright (6)
Lopez (32) / Freeland (10) / Aldridge (6)

By years end I think a rotation that looked like this would be ideal IMO.

 

[Pinwheel1]

No. Bones breaking isn't a big deal. Bones heal 100%. Its soft tissue injuries that are chronic.

I think it is a bigger deal when you are a big man if you break a bone in your foot. The more the weight, the more the stress, put on the small bone. As a guard I would think he would have a better chance of not having it a chronic issue.