Best Case Scenario

[letmk]

We win the next two home games, and Lakers beat Thunder on Sunday. Then All big 3 stay at home preparing for the playoffs.

Thereby, we wrap up the #1 seed in the west, and Lakers would be #3. Don't care about home-court advantage during the Finals. If we can get that far, I don't think either Bulls or Heat can beat us.

[Uriel]

Don't care about home-court advantage during the Finals.

Then it wouldn't be the best case scenario. That would be something like the Big 3 sitting out the last 2 games, the Spurs still winning out anyway, the Bulls losing at least one more game of their last 3, and the Spurs wrapping up HCA throughout the playoffs with minimal effort.

It's not that likely, obviously, but not completely out of reach. After what happened last year, I think Pop will almost certainly hold out the Big 3 the moment we lock up #1 in the West, regardless of what happens out East.

[Mel_13]

After what happened last year, I think Pop will almost certainly hold out the Big 3 the moment we lock up #1 in the West, regardless of what happens out East.

Yes

[NRHector]

So what teams are going to tank to avoid the Spurs?

[Knoxxx]

The Big 3 need to make the trip. Chicago has to play at Indiana prior to the Phoenix game, so we may want that one. Don't underestimate the value of HC in the finals.

How hard is to make a short flight to Phoenix on a private jet anyway?

[ElNono]

Not sold on that. I think they'll play some minutes... You don't want to sit them all the way from Monday to potentially Sunday... players need some rhythm...

[letmk]

Then it wouldn't be the best case scenario. That would be something like the Big 3 sitting out the last 2 games, the Spurs still winning out anyway, the Bulls losing at least one more game of their last 3, and the Spurs wrapping up HCA throughout the playoffs with minimal effort.

It's not that likely, obviously, but not completely out of reach. After what happened last year, I think Pop will almost certainly hold out the Big 3 the moment we lock up #1 in the West, regardless of what happens out East.

I'm not THAT greedy.

[Mel_13]

Not sold on that. I think they'll play some minutes... You don't want to sit them all the way from Monday to potentially Sunday... players need some rhythm...

That's why they played in game 82 last year...

[NRHector]

That's why they played in game 82 last year...

this season is shorter

[letmk]

Not sold on that. I think they'll play some minutes... You don't want to sit them all the way from Monday to potentially Sunday... players need some rhythm...

It's not about rest only. I think injury tends to happen in either extremely tense/physical games, or the casual games when you don't know you should play 80% or 60% or what.

[Mel_13]

this season is shorter

???

[ElNono]

That's why they played in game 82 last year...

If Pop is supers ious, then skip Wed game... but getting some minutes @ Golden State Thursday shouldn't be out of the question... like I said, you don't want old guys to get rusty with a week off... they're playing great, but you need rhythm...

[ElNono]

It's not about rest only. I think injury tends to happen in either extremely tense/physical games, or the casual games when you don't know you should play 80% or 60% or what.

Sure, but a week off, especially for old guys, it's a killer...

[Mel_13]

If Pop is supers ious, then skip Wed game... but getting some minutes @ Golden State Thursday shouldn't be out of the question... like I said, you don't want old guys to get rusty with a week off... they're playing great, but you need rhythm...

That's how I felt last year. Sit them out of the Laker game, then just get some good work in against Phoenix. The same logic would apply again, but......


I want them healthy to start the playoffs. They can shake off a little rust in the first half of Game 1.

[ElNono]

That's how I felt last year. Sit them out of the Laker game, then just get some good work in against Phoenix. The same logic would apply again, but......

I want them healthy to start the playoffs. They can shake off a little rust in the first half of Game 1.

Last time they sit out 3 days in a row we got curbstomped at home...

And frankly, injuries can happen anytime, including game 1 of the playoffs.

Plus a guy like Manu need the minutes. I noticed Pop playing him quite a bit more lately, and I think the idea is to get his completely in shape for next week.

[Mel_13]

Last time they sit out 3 days in a row we got curbstomped at home...

And frankly, injuries can happen anytime, including game 1 of the playoffs.

Plus a guy like Manu need the minutes. I noticed Pop playing him quite a bit more lately, and I think the idea is to get his completely in shape for next week.

All perfectly logical.

I'd still leave them back in SA, but i don't think Pop will.

[freetiago]

phoenix was a freak accident
you can play the big 3 in the last game of the season with a minute restriction and tell them to play pretty much no d
its not like theres anything stopping S.A from getting injured in the playoffs either
sometimes they just happen

I would also rather see L.A get swept by memphis then let them get a free ride vs denver or whatever poverty team they play

[crc21209]

I agree. Win the next 2, and hope L.A. beats OKC on Sunday, and play the big 3 10-12 mins on either Wednesday or Thursday. I would've said sit them for both games, but 5-6 days of rest may be a little TOO much...

[therealtruth]

That's why they played in game 82 last year...

It's funny everybody believes it was for HCA.

[therealtruth]

That's how I felt last year. Sit them out of the Laker game, then just get some good work in against Phoenix. The same logic would apply again, but......


I want them healthy to start the playoffs. They can shake off a little rust in the first half of Game 1.

I don't want them wasting the HCA in game 1. That can mess up your playoffs. They should focus on getting done with each series as quick as possible.

[100%duncan]

Not sold on that. I think they'll play some minutes... You don't want to sit them all the way from Monday to potentially Sunday... players need some rhythm...

This. We want them to rest but not lose rhythm too.

[will_spurs]

They should focus on getting done with each series as quick as possible.

But wait, getting done with each series as quick as possible will lead to longer downtime between series. They will rust off and lose their rhythm. OMG! The agony...

Signed: yet another bipolar Spurs fan

[urunobili]

I have been with Bayless since the beginning of the year. The Spurs will get out of the west but not probable to win it all TBH

[emanueldavidginobili]

I have been with Bayless since the beginning of the year. The Spurs will get out of the west but not probable to win it all TBH

If the Spurs do in fact make it to the Finals, Their winning it all