Hicks123 wrote:Just spot checked a couple guys, but is there even any validity to the "he runs guys into the ground" theory? It looks to me like there are many star players that play the 35-40 min. LBJ has AVERAGED 39.3 mpg for his career...and he misses little time. Now, the other thing I have heard is it is games, along with practices. Maybe this is true...but this angle seems a bit fabricated. Deng did play a lot of minutes, but Noah has averaged only about 34 mpg over the past 5 seasons. Doesn't seem bad.
The other more selfish piece in this regard is this.....coaches in today's world are not TYPICALLY in position very long. They have a limited window to win, and get an extension, thus it is in their best interest to play the guys that put the team (and thus himself) in the best position to win now. Whether we like it or not, this coach will likely not be around later in a players career (think a guy like Wiggins), thus he probably doesn't think much about the ramifications of minutes played over the course of a younger players career. We love longevity of our players, but coaches typically don't have the luxury.
Lebron is the most gifted athlete of all-time. He is a physical specimen that I don't think anyone is a fair comparison to him in terms of how they physically hold up. Deng and Noah are only 30 and they move like they are at least 35. 30 is the athletic cutoff for NFL running backs, not basketball players. It's not just game time that wears them down it's the practices as well. Hard practices are what kept Riley in the front office in Miami because Wade wasn't going back to Riley's grind. I just don't see how anyone thinks Thibs has no accountability when it comes to his players consistently breaking down year after year like it's just bad luck year after year.
Also AP guy tweeted Flip talked to Thibs and Thibs wants a more ready made situation so the Thibs to MN can be put to rest for now.