Epicurus wrote:Maybe, unlike you, Stotts knows that In the last 20 years, 38 rookies (16 of whom were ROYs) have played 35 MPG or more. 6 of them averaged more than Lilliard has so far this year (Damon Stoudamire, Allen Iverson, Shane Battier, LeBron James, Michael Finley and Tim Duncan).
Maybe he also knows, unlike you, that 114 players in the last 20 years have played 40 minutes or more per year. But then he is not dependent upon the echo chamber from uninformed sports media.
Settle down, Terry.
You use 38 rookies in the last 20 years. That's less than 2 rookies a season averaging that, and of the ones you listed, 3 are superstars and some of the best players we've ever seen in the game.
There's 5 players IN THE ENTIRE NBA averaging more minutes than Lillard. Luol Deng, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, AND NICOLAS BATUM. Lillard is 0.8 MPG away from taking the #1 spot. Lillard, obviously, leads all rookies in MPG with 39. The closest to him is Brad Beal at 31 MPG. Obviously this criticism against Stotts playing his starters more than he should is valid.
Sure, the 114 players argument is great. But you don't play a rookie 39 MPG. That's lunacy. Especially at the point guard position. Lillard's been fantastic, but you gotta cut his minutes a bit to keep him fresh for the 2nd half. Every coach knows that. Every knowledgeable NBA fan knows that. I wonder if you don't fall into that category.
Was my original post a dig at Stotts? Absolutely. And that seems to have offended you, and I apologize. I don't know if you're a family member, or wife, of Terry's or something.
So maybe what Neil Olshey needs to do is acquire a better backup PG than AJ Price, so Stotts has a little someone more proven, and well, better to put in for Lillard.