Memo to players complaining about minutes: Shut Your Mouth!

[InGameStrategy]

If true, maybe Sloan out to tell Deron to play like a stud in the 1st and 2nd quarters and not shoot 2-10. If the Jazz didn't fall behind by 20 points, Deron could take a breather in the second half and not have to play so much. Man up, Deron and stop whining. Most players HATE to come out of games. Beliebe me, if Deron were playing 32 mins/per and Chrissy Paul were ahead by an assist and a point or two, Deron would be bitching about not playing enough.

Um, just maybe it's a good thing for players to tell their coaches that they are not playing their best with the number of minutes on the court. That's not always evident because players will sometimes fake fatigue or injury to stay on the court. It beat's Boozer's strategy of fighting fatigue by playing fake defense (maybe Jefferson has done so far at times, except Q4 of the Orlando game, for example).

It's prudent for DW to play less time (around 35 MPG is probably ideal, vs. the 40+ currently, including overtimes) so that he lasts longer during the season and playoffs. It's not likely that Deron (or any NBA player) is gonna "whine" about playing too many minutes (unless you're Queen James); chances are it was just a suggestion or a request.

Of course, within the Coaching 101 system (validated in the past two games by the selective benching of Big Al), DW would've been sat down for a possession or two--out of sympathy--when he was committing too many turnovers or missing too many shots, which would improve his performance (despite the fewer minutes) and his longevity.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

I was talking about a different type of Memo, but now after you informed me, I can see how you confused the type of memo I used with the Memo on the Jazz you thought I used. lol

Hey, you've got to through some funny stuff out there once in a while lol.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

If true, maybe Sloan out to tell Deron to play like a stud in the 1st and 2nd quarters and not shoot 2-10. If the Jazz didn't fall behind by 20 points, Deron could take a breather in the second half and not have to play so much. Man up, Deron and stop whining. Most players HATE to come out of games. Beliebe me, if Deron were playing 32 mins/per and Chrissy Paul were ahead by an assist and a point or two, Deron would be bitching about not playing enough.

I agree.

If Deron wants a breather, then he best be coming out of the gate with the same killer attitude that he has seemed to have in the second half.

Millsap has been carrying Deron and the whole team through the first half in the last 3 games, and he's never said anything.

So until D-Will decides he's going to actually come out of the gate with some energy and lead the team for 35 minutes, then I guess he gets to continue, struggle, and try to lead for 45 minutes.

 

[JoelHodgeJr]

Although I agree thats its annoying to heare the highly overpaid athletes complain, I doubt its with out warrent. Nobody knows their body's as well their selves and If Deron feels like he needs less minutes to avoid an injurt then maybe they should listen. Its cool to tough it out, but its smarter to stay healthy and win more games.

 

[Hopper]

Yeah, right, eh, S2. Whatever Sloan does, or doesn't do, you will say it's wrong and that you would have done it better. One reason Sloan has for his "predictable" subsitutions is to implement a regimen where the time a player is on the floor doesn't get lost in the shuffle. He has often said that he feels an obligation to prolong his players' careers by not overplayin them.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Remember in Stockton's last several years Sloan diminished his PT. That's where the habit of taking the PG out at about the 8 min mark and resting him through the quarter break and for 4-5 mins of the 2nd/4th came from. It's likely Sloan WANTS to play Deron & Millsap less. He just can't when the team gets down by so many points. And we're not just talking about the 2nd unit here. It's often been the starters who come out of the gate slow.

 

[InGameStrategy]

I agree.

If Deron wants a breather, then he best be coming out of the gate with the same killer attitude that he has seemed to have in the second half.

Millsap has been carrying Deron and the whole team through the first half in the last 3 games, and he's never said anything.

So until D-Will decides he's going to actually come out of the gate with some energy and lead the team for 35 minutes, then I guess he gets to continue, struggle, and try to lead for 45 minutes.

It has been disappointing to see DW sometimes walk the ball up the court, because it sets a tone for the team, but Deron's low FG% and high turnovers could be just as likely due to pressing (trying too hard) than not trying enough.

Your strategy of rewarding subpar performance with more minutes has been a recurrent problem. For most players, such a reward system would be akin to Brer Fox throwing Brer Rabbit into the briar patch--it's an ideal "punishment."

That's why the optimal system is to focus on what combination is best on the court at all times, and this is adjusted on an intraquarterly basis. A big problem for this team--even up to the last game--has been poor performance in the first half and playing catchup in the second. The way to remedy that is to spell off the players who are dogging it (or pressing it) sooner--as in, starting in the middle of the first quarter. (That's what Stan van Gundy did in the first two minutes of the Magic game, subbing in Brandon Bass for Ryan Anderson even earlier than that, within the first two minutes of the game. Problem is that he made insufficient adjustments for the rest of the game, such as adjusting to the zone, and the Jazz capitalized. Good for Utah.)

In the meantime, while you tweak lineups with subpar performers, you learn which combinations might be working best on a given night. I am NOT proposing putting 4 or 5 of the starters on the bench together (or even precipitously); it puzzles me why coaches--not just Sloan--do that so often. At least Jerry has kept a starter or two (most often AK and sometimes DW) with the backups. But starting the substitutions earlier (assuming the existing lineup isn't clicking) keeps players fresh and and involved.

 

[Archie Moses]

I agree.
Millsap has been carrying Deron and the whole team through the first half in the last 3 games, and he's never said anything.

QFT.

 

[fallenchicken]

D-Will has been getting a lot of minutes and that can't continue throughout the whole season. But right now I think it's fine, Williams came out of the gates this season a little rusty, long games seem to only be helping him.

 

[akirac73]

Yeah, and I'm sure your body would hold up just fine banging NBA players 40 minutes a night, 82 nights of the year. I'm pretty sure you would tear something eventually going up against such size and length night in, night out.

This would be correct...if we assume Rimcheck is a 5'7" 125 lb power forward from a local YMCA league.

 

[jhenderson008]

10 bucks says Deron's comments are being taken out of context.

My guess is it's a call out to Ronnie P and Watson to step up their game. It's tough to win championships without a solid backup PG to allow D to rest a bit during games. Maybe I'm wrong though.

 

[franklin]

Pay me a couple of million and I'll play or at least try to play with anything torn, ripped, or broken. I've been playing basketball with a broken thumb the past month and after having my eye scraped off in a game, I didn't miss my weekly basketball game.

Internet badass! Don't you want a fresh team for the playoffs? Think ahead. The low minute strategy rocked for San Antonio a few years back. They traded home court advantage for fresh legs, were confident, and hurt teams. Jazz and every other team should do the same.