For the first time, Popovich has enumerated a specific plan to accomplish that. Duncan’s days of playing four games in five nights are over.
“That’s a rule,” Popovich said. “I’m not going to let him play four games in five nights. It’s not going to happen.”
Rest certainly paid off for Duncan on Monday night in New Orleans when, performing on two days rest for the first time this season, he tossed in a season-high 28 points. His last basket, a falling hook shot on Emeka Okafor with 1.4 seconds to go, provided the winning points in a 104-102 victory.
Though Duncan understands Popovich’s rest plan, it doesn’t mean he has to like it. Having played in 17 of 18 games this season, Duncan is averaging career lows in minutes (27:18) as well as points (13.1) and rebounds (7.3).
I like the plan and I think its great that he's trying to preserve Duncan as much as he can but I think this could get us into trouble later on in the season. Parker's already starting to collect nagging injuries and I won't be suprised if he misses games this season and Manu's already hurt.