Managing Minutes: Blessing or Curse?

[DPG21920]

This is something I have been thinking about lately and I wanted some other people's opinion on the matter.

Not only have the Spurs won at an extraordinary pace, they have done so while Pop is doing an unbelievable job at managing not only The Big 3's minutes, but other players who need it, such as Dice.

The Big 3 are averaging a combined 31.2 MPG. Out of the big 3, TP, the youngest member of the crew is averaging the most minutes at 32.8. So that means no member of the Big 3 is averaging over 33 MPG, yet they are somehow wining games at a furious pace. Incredible.

To put that in perspective, the other contenders have their top 3 players averaging:

LA: 34.9 MPG AVG with all of their Big 3 averaging 33+ MPG and Pau logging over 37 MPG.

BOS: 35.8 MPG AVG with Ray/Rondo logging over 35 MPG each.

So over the course of 82 games, other team's big 3's are playing approximately 6.5 NBA games more (minutes wise) this year than the Spurs Big 3.

The trend is the same with most other contenders; their Big 3 play more minutes than the Spurs Big 3 and at least one of their Big 3 logs pretty major minutes. Now, obviously some of the guys logging those minutes are capable, but that is not the point.

My point is, is limiting these minutes now going to pay off come playoff time as a whole? Obviously, the reasons for limiting a players minutes are pretty obvious. More rest, less wear & tear and less likely to get injured. Plus, there are some other benefits such as bench players getting more time to perform in crucial moments that could pay off in the playoffs.

However, if the Spurs are planning on shifting minutes played in the playoffs for The Big 3, is that going to hurt the team overall.

There will likely be an adjustment period. Meaning, the rotations could change drastically and the chemistry and familiarity could change and take some time to get up to speed.

Also, these bench players that have proven to be pivotal in winning the Spurs games will likely find it harder to get into a grove and/or provide any kind of consistent contributions.

Will the sudden spike in minutes lead to guys (The Big 3) that really aren't in that kind of game shape? Enough to log 39+ MPG a night and not have tired legs in crunch time?

I guess my real question is, is it necessary to change the rotations and give the The Big 3 a huge spike in minutes come playoff time. If so, how does that effect the overall nature of the team where it is really balanced out contribution wise?

[jestersmash]

I think another issue to ponder is whether or not limited minutes might be a detriment as far as conditioning goes.

If I were a coach, I'd consider limiting starter minutes for most but not all of the regular season in order to limit the probability of injury. But, I'd slowly start to ramp minutes up going into the playoffs for conditioning purposes.

My worst nightmare is limiting Ginobili's minutes to around 30 per game for the entire regular season only to see him totally gassed at the ends of crucial playoff games when Pop elects to play him 35-38 minutes.

[wildbill2u]

I doubt if the average MPG are as significant to our players as the games where they can play in the 20-30 minute bracket. Pop has been able to do that in a significant number of games.

[DPG21920]

Yeah, I mentioned that in my post. In all honesty, that is one of the things I am worried least about with these questions, but it is still a concern.

Before I go further, I definitely think limiting minutes is the right way to go. The thing I am struggling over is should the Spurs change things up dramatically (rotation/minutes wise) come playoff time.

[jjktkk]

I honestly don't think increasing the minutes of the big 3 will hurt the chemistry of the team.

[DPG21920]

I doubt if the average MPG are as significant to our players as the games where they can play in the 20-30 minute bracket. Pop has been able to do that in a significant number of games.

Yeah, but you can tell from watching, this isn't an AVG MPG where they are playing 10 MPG one night and 40 MPG another.

Almost every night, even in games where increased MPG could have possibly resulted in a W, Pop has been very, very cognizant of minutes played.

[Blake]

I guess my real question is, is it necessary to change the rotations and give the The Big 3 a huge spike in minutes come playoff time. If so, how does that effect the overall nature of the team where it is really balanced out contribution wise?

In 2007, the Spurs Big 3 + Bowen averaged about 3-4 minutes more during the playoffs than the regular season.

I don't see it being necessary to give them a huge spike this year either.

[DPG21920]

In 2007, the Spurs Big 3 + Bowen averaged about 3-4 minutes more during the playoffs than the regular season.

I don't see it being necessary to give them a huge spike this year either.

Sure, but you have to put that in context. How many MPG were they playing in the regular season?

If you go from playing 35MPG to 39MPG, that is obviously less of a jump then going from 31MPG to 39MPG, which most of your best players play that many MPG in the playoffs.

[Mugen]

Yeah, I mentioned that in my post. In all honesty, that is one of the things I am worried least about with these questions, but it is still a concern.

Before I go further, I definitely think limiting minutes is the right way to go. The thing I am struggling over is should the Spurs change things up dramatically (rotation/minutes wise) come playoff time.

i think the only one of the big 3 that will get a drastic increase in mins. come playoff time is Timmy. You can live without TP or Manu on the floor if the other one is playing.

but our defense suffers immensely without Tim protecting the rim.

He'll prob see about 35 a game come playoff time.

i for one don't think that Pop should change the rotations dramatically during playoffs. Guys like Neal should be given a chance to get their feet wet a little bit in the early rounds because he'll be vital if we were to advance deeper.

Bonner on the other hand...i dont know. If he's even hesitating a little bit or missing 2+ in a row then i think pop should sub him out pretty quickly. hes had his chance.

[Tp9gospursgo]

I don't see Pop making any drastic changes minutes wise, unless its a very close game. As long as Neal, Hill, Bonner, and the bench keep playing like they've been playing

[Blake]

Sure, but you have to put that in context. How many MPG were they playing in the regular season?

If you go from playing 35MPG to 39MPG, that is obviously less of a jump then going from 31MPG to 39MPG, which most of your best players play that many MPG in the playoffs.

I seriously doubt Tim or Manu jump past 35-36 minutes average per playoff game.

I could see Tony hitting 37-38, depending on his play and matchup.

[Cane]

Its only a curse because it means you have old players or are suffering injuries and lack of depth. Imo there's no reason for the big 3 to start piling up minutes in the relatively easy first half of the schedule. Especially since the Big 3 really haven't been healthy or rested for a playoffs series for a few years now imo. It'll be interesting to see how the Spurs handle their minutes in the upcoming back to back games and the several away games left in the season. There are also plenty of marquee match-ups left against the top ballclubs.

Like most veteran teams they also don't really elevate to their playoffs-level intensity unless its a marquee game. And to restate the important yet obvious, simply playing less minutes means less of a chance of crappy injuries like breaking your nose, etc.

Conditioning wise, playing 39+ MPG for any player in the playoffs is going to be tiring especially for a 34 year old high-mileage veteran. But that doesn't mean they won't have the stamina and legs to fight through it, the season is a marathon and I trust these veteran athletes know all about pacing. Having HCA will help as well. If Duncan had made more free throws in the PHX series he would've had vintage Duncan stats FWIW, Ginobili's nose was broken which affected his stamina, Parker was never 100%, etc.

Its overall more of a blessing than not for a veteran ballclub...and to digress its also an underrated advantage to have formidable talent from the starting five to the bench. Its very much like the Pistons ballclubs and aging Big 3's of the past where on any night one of their rotation players could basically win a game for the team or at least be a huge factor while not even caring about the individual stats....but we'll see if it carries on in the playoffs.

[Martin R]

This is something I have been thinking about lately and I wanted some other people's opinion on the matter.

Not only have the Spurs won at an extraordinary pace, they have done so while Pop is doing an unbelievable job at managing not only The Big 3's minutes, but other players who need it, such as Dice.

The Big 3 are averaging a combined 31.2 MPG. Out of the big 3, TP, the youngest member of the crew is averaging the most minutes at 32.8. So that means no member of the Big 3 is averaging over 33 MPG, yet they are somehow wining games at a furious pace. Incredible.

To put that in perspective, the other contenders have their top 3 players averaging:

LA: 34.9 MPG AVG with all of their Big 3 averaging 33+ MPG and Pau logging over 37 MPG.

BOS: 35.8 MPG AVG with Ray/Rondo logging over 35 MPG each.

So over the course of 82 games, other team's big 3's are playing approximately 6.5 NBA games more (minutes wise) this year than the Spurs Big 3.

The trend is the same with most other contenders; their Big 3 play more minutes than the Spurs Big 3 and at least one of their Big 3 logs pretty major minutes. Now, obviously some of the guys logging those minutes are capable, but that is not the point.

My point is, is limiting these minutes now going to pay off come playoff time as a whole? Obviously, the reasons for limiting a players minutes are pretty obvious. More rest, less wear & tear and less likely to get injured. Plus, there are some other benefits such as bench players getting more time to perform in crucial moments that could pay off in the playoffs.

However, if the Spurs are planning on shifting minutes played in the playoffs for The Big 3, is that going to hurt the team overall.

There will likely be an adjustment period. Meaning, the rotations could change drastically and the chemistry and familiarity could change and take some time to get up to speed.

Also, these bench players that have proven to be pivotal in winning the Spurs games will likely find it harder to get into a grove and/or provide any kind of consistent contributions.

Will the sudden spike in minutes lead to guys (The Big 3) that really aren't in that kind of game shape? Enough to log 39+ MPG a night and not have tired legs in crunch time?

I guess my real question is, is it necessary to change the rotations and give the The Big 3 a huge spike in minutes come playoff time. If so, how does that effect the overall nature of the team where it is really balanced out contribution wise?

The answer to that, is on Pop's mind. Nowhere else.

[m33p0]

- more minutes to the core won't make too much changes chemistry-wise. even with reduced court-time, the core is still responsible for most of the the team's production.
- injuries are flukes. whether you play 1 minute or 45... if it's your turn to go down, it's your turn to go down.
- so the only concern is conditioning which i am not worried about. these are professional athletes and very disciplined ones at that. besides, the playoffs is what they live for.
- also, the role players are there to support the core, not the other way around. they shouldn't be complaining if their minutes suddenly get cut in the playoffs.

[DPG21920]

I find it interesting that despite losing game 1 & squeaking out game 2, that Pop is not increasing minutes for his best players. You have to wonder if Gasol/Randolph/Conley logging 39-40 mpg (except if in foul trouble) vs the Spurs top 3 barely cracking 34 mpg is a reason why these games are so tight?

Why not play them more? Can they not handle 38 mpg?

[DPG21920]

TP is the only one avg more than 35 mpg at 37 mpg. Conley is avg 41-42 mpg. I know depth plays a role and I guess pop is going to rely on role players to really step up, much like the reg season. We will see if it works.

He might be looking past this series as well trying to manage for the next one