~W~ wrote:
CjR wrote: I’m speaking specifically on games we have comfortable leads (even blowouts), when Nelson does not rest Baron. The most recent was the Cleveland game where he played all 48 minutes. This game was a classic example, despite having a huge lead (near 30). How can one justify 48 minutes? So long as most starters are in there (definitely Jackson and Monta), I’m fine with it. Resting players is what all coaches do—and I’d rather risk a little momentum than risk the entire season, given Baron’s history of injuries, demands of his position, and our high-energy style of play. Because if he can’t rest him in those types of games, when will he ever rest him?
True, I agree, but I've seen enough games to know that no lead is ever safe. (Tell that to San Antonio up 10+ with a lil over a minute left only to have T-Mac beat them) I know its an exception, but Nelly is probably thinking that his Bench is simply NOT good good enough to control the tempo of the game. I love Sjax and Monta but when the team is in a funk it is Baron who controls and lead us to victory. I fully agree with you, that Baron NEEDS to be rested so it up to Mullin to get a back up PG to the satisfactory of Nelly.
Sure, and likewise, I've seen all games except against the Pistons, and from what I've seen, Baron could have been rested in many different instances--even just for a minute or two and combined with a timeout or end of a quarter. And early on, when Jax was out with his suspension, Nelly rode him really hard in those games. His jukes, cuts, and jumps are not there now, and even on breakaways (just last night), he hasn't been dunking--and really I don't want him to, if not necessary.
But I definitely agree that we need a good back-up PG to give him those extra few minutes of rest. No lead is ever safe for us, but that's because we get into funks where our outside shots don't fall, get sloppy with the ball, and/or get lazy on D. The key is for controlled plays and pound the ball inside (w/ more set plays) when Baron is resting to slow down the tempo (basically, high percentage and get to the foul line, and maybe get some and 1s). We don't have to go full bore at all times; we have to learn to downshift, at times.