How complicated are preseason minutes?

Apparently, much, much more complicated than I thought. Then again, I was putting it around the level of eye blinking.
Mike Woodson wants us to know (via Sekou Smith) that unlike in past years, some starters are going to play light minutes in the preseason.
"So I'm going to use this exhibition season a little bit different. I don't have to play Josh Smith and Joe Johnson 30-plus minutes a game. In the past we might have."
Woody knows these games don't count right? They don't count.... right? Added depth should not matter in fake games. I am sticking by that until someone can prove me otherwise.
Marvin though has some interesting quotes to continue my re-education on pre-season minutes, but in a less stupefying way than our coach.
"I'm a rhythm type cat but I'm also a younger cat," Marvin Williams said. "So I'd probably like to play a little bit more. But if you take a guy like Joe, who's also a rhythm guy but also a vet, it's not going to take a guy like that long to get into a flow."
Ok, close to as stupefying. So he talks about needing minutes to establish rhythm. Makes sense, but then you get in vet vs. young and my mind starts to spin a bit. Maybe this job of managing minutes is not as easy as I thought. Especially when you have guys that must find a rhythm and others who will play the same no matter how many minutes they get (I am looking at you Josh Smith) in pre-season and younger and older and new to the team and not..
I am no basketball coach, have never played one on tv, but no matter how complicated these minutes are it still sounds like a little communication might be in order for this team. Now, I am all for guys being ready to play when they are called on and them maybe not knowing when that is, but I hope by the end of pre-season, our first round draft pick and starting center are not shoulder shrugs when asked what their minutes are likely to look like this season. We have a GM who preaches embracing your role. Tough to do when you don't know what that is. Then again, maybe that is what preseason is for.
Fine, I take it back Woody (well, everything but the fact that these games don't count). You do have a tough job managing these minutes. Good luck to you sir.
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am i the only one who would not classify joe as a “rhythm guy”?
by hawksdawgs on Oct 7, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No
i dont call him a rhythm guy either
by kaleigh on Oct 7, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I might considering calling him
a “rhythm and blues” guy. I could definitely see that.
by Bronn on Oct 7, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the count
the preseason games dnt count wen ur adding numbers but they count in the palyers mind.
think if you were playing in the NBA and in the preseason ur team won againts another team ur gonna automatically say that yall gonna win b/c yall did it b4.
by kaleigh on Oct 7, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I understand what Marvin is saying
guy like Marvin who takes sometime to hit his stride in a game and then Woody pulls him or if he’s struggling he doesn’t let him play through it kills his effectiveness…..but Joe and Bibby should be able to get it going no matter what….
Josh plays off his emotions…when he’s pouting pull him out….period
by Cmart34 on Oct 7, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
HOW ABOUT PLAYING TO WIN?
This is the ideal situation.. We need to play to win the game.If we are playing guys like Shaq and Howard, expect more minutes from Jason, If we are playing guys like Lebron, expect more minutes from Marvin. However, it is not that simple. You also have to consider players emotions,development of players and fouls.
by dkrib on Oct 7, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lets play to win always
lets just not wear our best guys down when the game does not count. no one has ever made the playoffs based on wins in the preseason.
i would much rather play to win with joe johnson only playing to win for 20 or so minutes. let teague play some two guard or something.
by hawksdawgs on Oct 7, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he's talking about getting in game shape and...
up to speed. We’ve all read how practices, etc are great but there is nothing that can simulate game speed and game action. For some guys they may need to work off a few pounds and get their conditioning up. For some, it’s just getting back into the flow of playing basketball at its highest level on a nightly basis. Now, why some guys would need 35 minutes to get into that flow instead of 20-25 is beyond me, but then I’ve never tried to play anywhere near that level of basketball either.
by Mr. Sanchez on Oct 7, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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