shrink wrote:I’m still trying to get my head around the benches.
Before the series, I kept hearing what a big advantage the Nuggets had with their bench, and I questioned it. No doubt, DEN is very deep, and that depth was so necessary for the regular season with all he injuries that the Nuggets had to deal with all season. However, when the playoffs arrive, benches shorten, so having a guy that’s okay as a 12th man becomes irrelevant, Valanciunas may have averaged 8.7 PPG during the season, but in the two playoff games he has played 11 minutes, five personal fouls, and zero points. On the other hand, Tim Hardaway Jr has been great, and to think DEN got him to sign for the minimum!
I expected the Wolves to only go seven deep in the playoffs, with some spot minutes for Kyle Anderson when Rudy is off the floor. Naz and Ayo are strong bench pieces, but MIN paid a lot for them. They’ve also played Bones (13 points last night) and a little Mike Conley. MIN’s bench has slightly outscored DEN’s bench. Have injuries removed DEN’s bench advantage in the playoffs?
Peyton watson being injured really hurts the nuggets depth. The wolves having two starting level players is an advantage for them given how much shorter benches go during the playoffs. How many benches are better than minnys? Not many. Bones has also found a home imo as a microwave limited minutes player off the bench. 60% TS from him this season. Perfectly suitable for an 8-9th man.
