Suns vs Lakers

[JCSunsfan]

I think they played much better in the two games starting PJ and TJ as forwards. Leuer coming back should not change that.

I played basket ball growing up and I would consider loosing the starting position as being benched. Just my humble opinion.

There can be all kinds of reasons for this. Leuer, by almost all accounts, is the prime example on the team of hustle, good attitude, and team play. Giving that guy props is a good example for all.

He will also probably be a desirable piece in potential trades. There is more going on than just Booker and Warren.

 

[Catlover]

I think they played much better in the two games starting PJ and TJ as forwards. Leuer coming back should not change that.

I played basket ball growing up and I would consider loosing the starting position as being benched. Just my humble opinion.

Not when you're just filling in as a starter for 2 games. If that's the case every team in the NBA would have 9 or 10 "starters" and there would be a lot of "benched" players in this league. On our team alone we have 8 players that have started more often than TJ this season.

 

[sunsfan88]

I have no idea why Rodney Hood should be the standard. Anyway, I'll bet Warren has logged more minutes this season than probably 75% of his draft class. He's averaging almost 23 minutes per game, that's more than enough if you're just worried about player development. I want him to play even more than that because it means PJ is playing less (at SF), not because Warren can't develop in that time.

Hood isn't the standard but he's a fellow sophomore mate of Warren from that draft class. They were pretty close in pre draft rankings as well in terms of one prospect being higher than the other.

 

[Phrazbit]

Hood isn't the standard but he's a fellow sophomore mate of Warren from that draft class. They were pretty close in pre draft rankings as well in terms of one prospect being higher than the other.

I feel like you don't know what "standard" means.

 

[devilalum]

There can be all kinds of reasons for this. Leuer, by almost all accounts, is the prime example on the team of hustle, good attitude, and team play. Giving that guy props is a good example for all.

He will also probably be a desirable piece in potential trades. There is more going on than just Booker and Warren.

IMO the best lineup I've seen is LOOer, PJ, TJ, Booker and Knight.
D'Antoni would love this lineup. All 5 hustle, rebound, pass and shoot the 3.

 

[sunsfan88]

Part of the reason is the strange fascination with playing PJ Tucker. The coaches seem to love him in the starting lineup for some reason.

Agreed. The excuse for him starting used to be because he was such a great defender and all that but anyone who's been paying attention this year and last knows his defense has taken a massive hit since he signed his contract extension.

 

[BC867]

I agree that developing the young players is the primary objective, but giving them a ton of minutes is not always the best way to do that. If you play them when they are worn out or slightly injured, you can reinforce bad habits.

The point is that there is more to it than just minutes. If Warren is averaging 25 minutes or more, I am good with that.

I believe it is about more than average minutes. It is about consistency in the rotation (not counting stepping up in case of injury, etc.)

The use of the young guys has hardly been consistent. Hell, the use of the old guys has hardly been consistent. But it is crucial with the young players.

Assign each player a role and stick to it, damnit. That's how you develop young players. And build teamwork. Which reduces turnovers.

 

[Catlover]

Hood isn't the standard but he's a fellow sophomore mate of Warren from that draft class. They were pretty close in pre draft rankings as well in terms of one prospect being higher than the other.

It doesn't change the fact that only a small number of players from that draft class have played more minutes than Warren. Many of them have been limited by injuries but still, 23 minutes a game for a 2nd year player isn't unreasonable. I think he is a better player than the guy that starts in front of him. So I'd like to see him play more but obviously not everyone agrees about that.