They were able to play the bench a lot at the end of the season to save the starters. Now he barely acknowledges the bench past Stuckey and Maxiell. So when will the Pistons run end due to the starters burning out?
I consider Flip is a decent coach, but when is he going to learn. He is using up the mileage saved at the end of the season fast. Using the starters for 40+ minutes in the playoffs will still burn them out after a long season. What happen to using Hayes, Afflalo, Johnson, and Hunter. Hunter couldn't even get activated until Billups got hurt. Shortening the bench in the playoffs is normal, but going from 10-man rotation to a 7-man is plain stupid. (Yes, they used a 10-man rotation for the last 50 games of the regular season.)
Would ya knock it off already with the "burning out the starters" comments. The man is an NBA coach for a reason and I don't seem to hear anything from the starters about being tired. They are trying to win a championship and stay up on teams rather than make it another win two lose three win two series. Most of the guys on the bench have never been in this scenario before so to throw them in with the game on the line doesnt make much sense. That would be "plain stupid."
It looks like the bench will be utilized for the balance of the round with the Orlando Magic in an expanded role. A lot of that depends on the looks their oppostion give them, and day-to-day adjustments due to injury (see Chauncey Billups). I thinks the right bench players going out there with more minutes against the Magic is one thing. It will be a totally different story against Boston, and different again if going up against the Cavaliers.
I can see Lindsey Hunter playing an expanded defensive role matched up against Rondo. Then again, big bodies will be needed against Perkins and Garnett.
This is show time. Put up or shut up. Win or go home. Get in, buckle up, shut up. The starters are rested so that they can play increased minutes for this championship run. As they advance, the starters will only become more important to be out there longer and produce at a higher level. Sprinkle in the right bench help at the right time to provide the spark or toughness, and the Pistons look like a champion. I'm sure Kobe would beg to differ.
I think the whole 'buring out the starters' thing is not an issue. Yes, it did appear that they burned out in 2006. I would attribute this to two things: 1) playing too many minutes during the regular season, and 2) having to play 4 on 5 on the offensive end. This year, Flip did an excellent job of resting his starters during the season while still winning almost 60 games. They should have no problem going 40+ minutes a night from here on out. Hopefully, we can take care of the Magic tomorrow so they can get some rest going into Boston/Cleveland. No need for burn-out worries this year. My only concern now is seeing Chauncey get back healthy.
The starters will not be burned out like last year, and in 2006 for Flip utilized the bench a great deal coming down the strech of the season to give them some well deserved rest, most of the starters only played around 25 - 30 minutes a game down the strech while most of the other teams still in the play - offs were playing there starters 35 - 40 minutes+ a game down the strech.
Burnout will not be a factor , injuries will be and running into a team that is playing great basketball will be the only factors for the Pistons to not win the championship not burnout.
I dont thinkhe will burn them out...however i have noticed thar during some of the blowouts he leaves the starters in for what i think is way too long. We have a strong bench it seems like he would be more confident in them.
These guys are top notch athletes, they will be able to easily handle the PT during the playoffs. They were well rested in the last 2 months of the regular season, and have gotten around 6-8 minutes rest during the game (I know it's not a ton). They have at most 14 more games to play.... They will make it.
All i can say is this. They are going to need the bench in the next round. Boston is going to come with their "Big Three" and kill us if we don't play sharp. we have no outside shooters at all. And don't even think about hayes he is no true three point shooter. the only way we will advance to the finals is if we get sheed in the game early and the guards most drive to the basket and we must play defence. Max is going to be big for us in the next round. So that's my take on it...
I agree with most of the others who have responded to this thread and say that the starters will not be burned out. The starters got plenty of rest during the regular season, and coaches always increase the starters minutes and shorten the bench during the playoffs. I'm not sure that any of the bench players are ready to step up other than Stuckey, Lindsey, and Maxiell. It would be nice to see someone give Tayshaun a blow now and then. That would need to be either Hayes, Amir, or possibly Hermann. I've been disappointed with the way that Jarvis Hayes has played. I expected him to contribute a lot more than he has. His shooting has been inconsistent to say the least. He appears to be pressing things a bit. I totally disagree with Big Dglass statement that we don't have any outside shooting! Chauncey, Rip, Rasheed, and Tayshaun are all good outside shooters!
