Pelicans Rotation limited to 8-9 guys

I was thinking we would have 8 guys that would see the majority of the minutes. But, with our injury luck, I just don't see how this is gonna work. We're gonna have to go 11 deep at some point in the season.

No. That's nuts over an 82 game season for any team. Add injury prone Gordon, Davis getting worn down plus 2 other top players coming of2f major injuries. They can't afford any long term injury to the top 6 if they want to make the playoffs.

The key is managing the lack of depth by making smart rotations, not running the horses into the ground.

With Monty feeling pressure I'm worried we'll see a lot of 40MPG games from Davis

My point was an 8-9 man rotation when we are relatively healthy. I will edit the original post for clarity.
Obviously if we lose the # of guys we did last year all bets are off.

When all of the above are healthy, i know with our luck that prob will only be a few games a yr, there isnt much need to give guys other than those core guys substantial mins.

When AD, Ryno, and Asik are healthy then there is no need for Ajincia or Withy to see the floor. Same with our Gs. Even if one of the Gs are injured then there isnt much need to play someone other than Jimmer or Rivers due to the versatility of everyone else.

Gotcha. I agree. The overlap of skills, especially for the backup bigs, and size for guards is kind of ridiculous

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When AD, Ryno, and Asik are healthy then there is no need for Ajincia or Withy to see the floor. 

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I disagree. Too long of a season to not get at least one of these guys some consistent PT so they'll be ready to step in when/if we need them. I think those 2 will combine for about 8-10 mins a game.

96 mins at the 4 and 5. Assuming AD 35, Asik 26, and Ryno 30, that would leave 5 mins for other bigs. But if Ryno does indeed play a little at the 3... say 3-5 mins, that leaves 8-10 mins for other bigs. Also factor in foul trouble.

But there's no doubt these 3 will play the vast majority of minutes and should combine for every single minute of 4th Qs (assuming close game) and OTs.

So you have Jimmer ahead of Rivers?

I think Jimmer can fill the AM role of shooter off the bench so yes. Jimmer has a specific skill set that is useful to our team. Rivers skills are the same as EG, Reke, and Jrue except not as good. Rather those guys just absorb his mins.

Ajinca will definitely get a few minutes a game.

No way, unless Monty has undergone a total change in philosophy, which is doubtful. He'll go at least ten deep every night. He always plays the second unit at the end of the 1st, and beginning of the 2nd, then at the end of the 3rd, and beginning of the 4th.

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No way, unless Monty has undergone a total change in philosophy, which is doubtful.

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I'm not sure what the best way to quantify it is, but the minute totals are definitely more concentrated in the top 8 guys in CP3's last year LINK vs last year LINK Injury played a bit of a role in that too, but still, fewer end of rotation guys got minutes the last time Monty had a team with clear talent divisions.