Mac1958 wrote:TunaFish wrote:THE J0KER wrote:Absolutely correct statement, but sorry, despite being Porter's coach, Malone is actually the last man on the Earth to say this!
Who else to blame because MPJ so far has only 11 career games with more than 20 minutes, only 4 with more than 25 minutes, and never played 30 minutes or more with just one career start?? And all that is not happen recently because Malone notices how monstrous-looking was MPJ per minute stats since the start of the season, but because 3 starters and 6th man are coincidently injured at the same time!
I can't read minds but I have noticed that Malone likes to set up a consistent rotation. I agree MPJ looks like a star in the making but Barton is in the starting lineup ahead of him which limits minutes. It may also be Malone's plan for MPJ to settle into a bench slot as a big wing who brings scoring and rebounding off the bench. Lately, he has been finishing games and his minutes are rising quickly.
If Malone were to have everyone back by the playoffs, he would love to have a settled rotation with everyone on the same page. Starters are set and MPJ fits an important role from the bench, the primary 6th man. Everything changes if Malone has to move Barton to shooting guard more.
I guess I understand the theory, and certainly having this kid coming off the bench is one helluva luxury.
But contacts don't last forever, and I assume this also recognizes that he'll be starting soon, if not next year. If he stays healthy and productive, another team will pay him a ton.
We'll have his rights for quite a while