spursfan101[/B],Jun 25 2005, 12:01 AM] In this watered down NBA, the Spurs have a fantastic chance to repeat. Only team that will challenge them out of the West will be Pheonix if they decide to play some D.
SPURSX3,[/B]Jun 26 2005, 05:46 AM]we have a great chance at a FEW more titles IMO. We are getting a new PF wk - Scola, hopefully.
With Dunker and GNob both playing in the Olympics then Finals, for that matter Parker also to a lesser extent, I hope Pop gives them less reg season cumulative minutes. By either
a. shortening their game minutes often, esp back to backers
b. give them occasional but regular nights off. Or both.Screw the NBA marketing mentality that stars have to play every game. They don't. Who cares if the Spurs enter the 2006 playoffs with the best record? 1/2 the time the Champs are not the best record team, including this year.
I say use the whole roster in the reg season.
In the Celtics injury years 1987-92, an in denial Bird would say since the game was only 2-3 hours and they could sleep the rest of the time (if desired) that it shouldn't matter. He is wrong. Minor as well as major injuries take time to heal from. You can't pound on them 24 hours later. Sometimes its not age but mileage, ie Kobe Bryant.
So Pop whats better, limit Manu and Duncan in reg season, or follow the stoopid macho marketing NBA policy and have them go out for 30-40 games due to a major injury?
So the starters and 6th and 7th man are better then the 8-12 bench players. Fair enough. But a rested bench player is better then a winded/injured starter.
I think the 7-12 bench players are much better then most NBA teams give them credit for.[/b]