First assumption, the starters only play 28 minutes each. They play the first 8 minutes of the 1st and 3rd quarters, the last 8 minutes of the game, and the last 4 minutes of the 2nd quarter. An intact unit getting 28 minutes a game together, making the plays crisper, the defense more in unison.

This leaves 20 minutes at each position for the bench to cover. With 7 bench players to cover those positions. Simply start with 14 minutes per bench player.

Flexibility. If matchups dictate it, a starter could play with the subs, and this could be up to 12 minutes worth for any one game for any one starter. Also, its real easy to swap minutes around here and there, letting a sub play with the starters while one of the starters plays with the subs. Or two such swaps. Or three. It really makes it very simple to play for matchups as needed.

But you start with a rotation, something that makes sense and is seen a lot from game to game. Several standard units that get enough time together to optimize their play.

Here are the 12 players, you know their minutes. CB, Rip, Tay, Ben, Sheed start. Subs are Arroyo, Acker, Evans, Delfino, Maxiell, Dyess, Darko.

There are 12 minutes for the subs in the first half, and 8 minutes in the 2nd half. Start by splitting the subs into two squads, sort of. You don't have 10 subs, so all you can do is use two 3 to 4 man units and fill them in from there. Lets put Arroyo, Evans, and Dyess, Darko in one squad with Acker, Delfino, and Maxiell on the other.

For the 8 minutes in the 2nd half, we play Arroyo, Evans, (Delfino 4 minutes and Maxiell 4 minutes), Dyess, Darko.

For the 12 minutes of the 1st half, we start with Acker, Evans, Delfino, Maxiell, Dyess. This group plays 6 minutes.

The next 6 minutes, Arroyo, Acker, Delfino, Maxiell, Darko.

Lets see how close we got to our targets. Our target was 14 minutes per sub. We came out with Arroyo 14, Acker 12, Evans 14, Delfino 16, Maxiell 16, Dyess 14, Darko 14. Close enough.

And for units, thats 28 for the starters, 12 minutes with Acker, Delfino, and Maxiell together, and 8 mintues with Arroyo, Evans, Dyess, and Darko together. Five units in total, with 28, 6, 6, 4, and 4 minutes. The two with just 4 minutes vary by just one player. The two with 6 minutes vary by 2 players. Should not be too hard for all these units to get real good.

If it wins fine. My concern is this much subing would put too big a burden on the starters to bail out. However if we stay with a more vet. 2sd unit like: CarArr, Dupree, Evans, Dyess, Davis. maybe they get a null or a positive.

Our best offensive unit is: C'Note, Rip, Sheed, Dyess...who is our next best Off. player that could run with this 4...Tay and BBen don't really qualify. I think Evans is next most reliable Off. I here Amir is very smooth. Delfino will drive. Davis, Dupree and CarArr not yet proven? JMax...I like what hear but I'm worried some of the bodies on the floor might be his teammates.

This one assumes a 13 man playoff roster, and is for the playoffs.

The 13 would be Billups, Arroyo, Acker, Rip, Delfino, Tay, Maxiell, Evans, Ben, Dyess, Sheed, Darko, Davis.

Davis, Acker, and Evans are defensive subs.

Starting unit as usual, with 2nd unit of Arroyo, Delfino, Maxiell, Dyess, Darko.

One competing rotation that could occur: Amir Johnson emerges into the rotation by the end of the year, moving Acker out. (Tay and Delfino assume the 3rd point guard duties.)

Hunter fans could have him on the roster instead of Acker.

And those who hope EC comes back? Well, if Hunter does not come back, Acker could be the odd man out. If Hunter and EC come back, then Acker and another player don't make the cut. If that should happen, I suppose it would have to be Davis. But note, I don't believe either Hunter or EC are coming back at this point.

Blakely in no uncertain terms stated we just get 12 guys on the playoff roster. Gee, thats going to be tough.

Billups, Arroyo, Acker, Rip, Delfino, Tay, Maxiell, Ben, Dyess, Sheed, Darko, Davis.

I am leaving Mo Evans off after watching his ineffectiveness vs. Wade tonight.

This is a very balance roster with 6 guards, including Tay, and 6 bigs, including Maxiell. Acker can handle the ball. More of an asset than Mo Evans, who completely lacks this ability. Both Acker and Mo Evans provide their own brand of defense, and both can shoot the outside shot. Both can go inside and both can rebound. With most the rest being equal, I'll take Ackers ability to create offense for his teamates.

Billups, Arroyo
Rip, Delfino, Evans
Tay
Dyess, Sheed, Darko
Davis, Wallace and Wallace.


No surprises with my lineup. The kicker here is there's no room for hunter. And that's his entire role.

Between acker and mo, I'd have to take the experience of mo. I doubt acker and aj will get any meaningful minutes during the season. Next year though...

You got Sheed listed twice. We have lots of good choices for that 12th spot.

But surprises could happen. We could find out Maxiell is a better defender than Davis, despite the height difference. And Amir Johnson could improve this very season and supplant Mo Evans. The following roster could happen.

Billups, Arroyo, Acker, Rip, Delfino, Tay, Maxiell, Amir Johnson, Ben, Dyess, Sheed, Darko.

hey that's why I'm not GM! People in my Fantasy league watch out.
We could use two Rasheed Wallaces. That would be 4 technicals.

I still would keep hunter. The hunter question is interesting. I wonder if he will retire.

I like how we are splitting hairs on the 12th spot. I am excited about the contributions from 1-12. If anything, I think acker might supplant Arroyo. I doubt AJ will be ready this year. On top of the maturity issue, he's learning a new position.
The key to evans is that he can spell prince. 'Fino might be able to do that too but I like the defensive game that evans can bring.

you're nuts if you think a free agent that has been playing extremely well is going to be ousted by a rookie who's not going to get playing time and be on the healthy scratch list all year

hey guys.

here is my idea of a playoff roster this season. (based on 12 players)

PG- Billups, Arroyo
SG- Hamilton, Delfino
SF- Prince, Evans
PF- Sheed, Dyess
C- Ben, Darko
Resting- Hunter, Davis

I would have Hunter and Davis in there as guys 11 & 12, assuming Darko can continue his progress. Those 2 are in there for experience and spot minutes for certain situations (foul trouble, defence).
Evans and Delfino's positions aren't fixed as I would use them as mix-n-match guys, they could play multiple positions depending on matchups, etc.

Also I would really like to see Darko and J-Max step it up enough during the season so we could have J-Max on the roster instead of Davis. If those 2 can cut it, they will make us a lot more athletic.

As for the other rooks, its a simple matter of experience prevailing, and I would rather have a proven performer who's ready to go at short notice.

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