I think this has to do with the minutes. They look like they're coasting in the first quarter, saving themselves for later in the game. Flip has got to get these guys rest in the game, so they play 100% for the whole game.

Also, a lot of people talk about earning time, in 5 years I havent seen a single player play his way into the lineup. PT seems to be given away to coach favorites, not earned. Carlisle got fired becaue he played Curry over Tay. Sheed was given the starting job over Okur (not that he didn't deserve it). Dice was signed to be the backup big. Arroyo was signed to be the backup guard. Hunter was did not play better than Arroyo, but was made backup over him. Ham was given minutes, that had nothing to do with his basketball abilties. Mike James was benched, even though he played well. Evans was given the backup small forward position from day one.

If the coach's dont start basing our bench minutes upon performance, we're going to lose them. Guys will have zero motivation to work hard, because they knows they're not getting into the game.

If nothing changes, Detroit will continue to be 5 starters, Dice, Arroyo, and some guy who doesnt deserve to play (Curry, Ham, Evans, ect). While the rest of the bench will be guys waiting for their contracts to expire so they can play elsewhere (Okur, Barry, James, Parker), and old guys ecstatic about getting paid not to play (DC, EC, and Davis). We can win another title this way, but there is no room for any kind of injury.