How should Pop manage minutes against the Thunder?

[quentin_compson]

I think it would be a good thing to play both Tony and Timmy while making sure they stay well under 30 minutes.

A close game would be difficult as Pop might be tempted/forced to play them more than he probably should. I'd like to see the likes of Hill, Blair, RMJ and Jefferson try and defend a big lead or dig back into the game.

[duncan228]

Managing Minutes in the Thunder
by Andrew A. McNeill
48 Minutes of

Ah yes, the second night of a back-to-back. In previous years, tonight would treat us to a game where the Spurs would show their age and wear down late in the contest. Sloppy plays would occur and fans would thank their lucky stars that there are no back-to-backs in the playoffs.

But since infusing some young legs into the team’s roster (See: Hill, George and Blair, DeJuan), San Antonio has used the second night of these two-day tests to rest older rotation players and give some playing time to fringe players. All while remaining compe ive on both nights.

Keep reading →

[Das Texan]

Duncan and Parker both need to be under 30 minutes tonight.


Under 25 minutes would be even better.



Throw Georgie out there for 40+ tonight and lets just run with it.

[igruex]

We certainly need this one as water, yet, Timmy MUST play less than 32 minutes (TP's case is different, he's not THAT tired, he's a bit hurt). Considering how healthy Manu's looking so far and having in mind that he played 25 minutes against the flakers coz of foul trouble. I would burn Dice, Manu, RJ, Hill and Mason tonight and try to get a win.

[My Fault]

The injury threat is overblown, just keep the big 3 around 25-30 mins each and there should be no problems.

Reasons to play for the win.

1. Spurs are #3 in the west right now, thunder #6, already very close to a 1st round matchup.

2. They have had problems with the thunder; the thunder already have a pyschological advantage vs the spurs, this needs to be squelched.

3. The spurs should try to keep the momentum going, because they have a chance at a higher than #3 seed. It's defenitely possible, especially with the lakers struggling w/ Gasol out. Home court advantage is a BIG advantage in the playoffs and worth making the extra effort.

4. Spurs lose this game, and it reinforces that they are having problems with
+.500 teams. This could be psychologically damaging as well.

5. There gonna be more B2B's, 10 more in all. You planning on losing those too?

I don't plan on losing anything as I'm not any part of the Spurs team, so my opinion and yours means nothing and will not change a thing. Psychologically damaging? I doubt anyone on the Spurs worries about. The entire Spurs team for the most part are vets and have been there done that. No team is gonna go out planning on losing you have to be an idiot to think otherwise. At the same time why would they go all out on a game that means little to nothing?

[Obstructed_View]

I just hope Pop learned from the dismal failure that was his "rest the starters during the first quarter" debacle. If you want to rest guys, then tell them to put the game out of reach.

Tonight's game is just as important as last night's game. If you want to manage minutes, I'm sure Blair and Mahinmi are well rested.

[Spurs Brazil]

I want to see the normal rotation but with less minutes for the Big 3

[Chieflion]

None of the options actually describe I want. The Spurs do need this win. There is no need to break all momentum by losing to the Thunder again. That will make us 1 for 8 against the Northwest division or something, a lone win against lowly Minnesota. Go figure. The minutes of the big three needs to be slashed. Play RJ a little more and match athletic ability by pushing Haislip and Ian to the fire.

[Josepatches_]

I would limit Tim and Tony to about 2 quarters each. Start them, and run your regular rotations, but sub early and give the bench more minutes. Give Ian half of Timmy's minutes tonight.

For me that doesn't have any sense.

If you put TD and TP on the court is to win the game even if they have to play 32+ minutes like always.

If they play 20 minutes it couldn't be enough so then it's better to sit them all the game.They could made an effort to play for nothing.IMO that's worse.There is not a big difference playing 24 or 32 minutes for them but it's a big difference for the team.

Stupid to put them "some minutes".They have to play like one more game or not to play.

[TinTin]

Give Mahinmi some burn...