Minutes per game - INJURIES ANYONE?

[Embedded]

Over an 82-game season, I like how Tony Parker's total minutes will compare to Chris Paul and Steph Curry.



RK
PLAYER
TEAM
GP (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/minutes/sort/gamesPlayed)
MIN (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/minutes/sort/minutes)
MPG (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/minutes/sort/avgMinutes/order/false)




9
Kevin Durant (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3202/kevin-durant), SF
OKC
33
1185
35.9





20
Draymond Green (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6589/draymond-green), PF
GS
38
1328
34.9






21 Blake Griffin (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3989/blake-griffin), PF
LAC
30
1048
34.9





31
Stephen Curry (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry), PG
GS
37
1259
34.0




32 Russell Westbrook (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3468/russell-westbrook), PG
OKC
40
1358
34.0




43 Kawhi Leonard (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6450/kawhi-leonard), SF
SA
38
1257
33.1





55
Chris Paul (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2779/chris-paul), PG
LAC
34
1097
32.3





115 Tony Parker (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1015/tony-parker), PG
SA
37
1001
27.1

[BatManu20]

Coaches will start resting guys more as the season goes on, especially the last month of the regular season, but still :tu

[Fireball]

I still fear that the injury bug will hit the Spurs as well ... they just seem to keep up a high level of energy (no cruising) which is important because these little injuries happen more often if you relax too much ...

[SpursFan86]

34 minutes per game for a guy in his prime isn't bad at all, and that's not a sign he'll be worn out by playoffs. Limiting minutes is great and all, but it's not like it's a necessity for every player. Tim averaged 38+ mpg his first 6 seasons in the league. Look at practically any all-time great, and chances are they were playing tons of minutes in their prime.

Steph is only 27 years old. He's playing far less than most GOAT-tier players did at that age. The minutes are fine. What is worrying (if you're a Warriors fan) is that he's playing through those shin injuries. If he never lets it heal completely, it could be something that wears him down as the season goes on regardless of how many minutes he plays.

If I were a Clippers fan I'd also be pretty happy about CP3 only playing 32 mpg. I'd say that's a pretty ideal number for him.