The season has just begun and here we have our starters averaging high minutes once again. Is this the norm at this time of year? Perhaps Flip in desperation is trying to get wins now to save his job.

Sheed playing close to 40 mpg is like committing suicide, and CB said last year he was fatigued going into the playoffs. Obviously the only starters that can play heavy minutes is Rip and Tay, so play those two with J-Max, Delfino, and Amir!

Hell, at least for a few minutes. Let`s see what they can do. Seriously, Flip play the bench.........PLEASE!!!!!!!

__________________
"You got to go wit da flow" Rasheed Wallace responding to Rip Hamilton's disbelief of him becoming a Boston Celtic.

I hate the minutes too, but I think yesterday was a must win.

I think that's right. You can do it too often, but they needed a win last night. I have much less a problem with too many minutes from the starters in close games than in blowouts (either way). Last year fifteen point leads going into the fourth guaranteed 12 minutes from the starters.

playing the bench does not mean you're going to lose. people need to stop saying this. honestly the bench has outplayed the starters for a good part of the season.

I'll give Flip the benefit of the doubt on this one, it was a must win. But, going into the Houston game, if Tay, Rip, and Sheed have dead legs and we get blown out, I'm going to rethink my position.

Our guys just aren't good enough to dominate without heavey minutes. How come Nazz is only playing 25? BBeen got 35.

I have to agree with Jay on this one. If the bench hasn`t played how do you know they will lose the game? What if the starters lose?

Reserves are too give your starters rest, provide a spark when the starters aren`t effecient and replacing injured or foul proned folks.

Why is it always the latter when our bench plays???

Flip still does not know how and when to play the bench. if the starters could get off the snide and play inspired ball from tip off instead second half, then the bench would get more play. In other words when the Pistons get in hole to begin the game, then only Dice and possibly Hunter will get in the game gefore the 8 minute mark.

The other issue is because the bench gets little PT, they are inconsistent from game to game. Dice is only good every other game Delfino every 2-3 games and Hunter plays one decent game a week. The jury is still out on Flip jr. (and senior to if you think about it)

My suggestion is mix it up and insert one of the younger guys in there in earlier before Dice, Hunter and Murray to play with the starters and get a feel of what's going on. A new player with atheticism can disrupt the defense on the other side if they are not use to his moves.....Look how the unknown rookies on the Hornets outhustled our veterans...

Sheed has been avg 34.3 MPG, Billups 35.6, Tay 35.8 and Rip 37.4

There will be some games when Sheed plays around 40 but that will not happen every night.

Hunter has barely played. Murry has been the 1st off the bench. I would rather have Hunter out there.

Player-by-player minutes after 9 games, compared to last year:

Starters with increased minutes:
Rip (+2.1) 37.4 this year, 35.3 last year
Tay (+0.6) 35.9 this year, 35.3 last year

Starters with reduced minutes:
CB (-0.4) 35.7 this year, 36.1 last year
Sheed (-0.3) 34.4 this year, 34.7 last year

Key returning reserves:
Dyess (-0.3) 20.9 this year, 21.2 last year
Delfino (+4.0) 14.7 this year, 10.7 last year

New guys:
Nazr (+3.6) 21.0 this year, 17.4 last year with SAN
Murray (-14.5) 22.2 this year, 36.7 last year with CLE


Observations:

• Pistons are trying to replace 35.2 minutes per game from Ben and 14.2 minutes per game from Mo Evans (49.7 total)
• Nazr and Murray are covering 43.2 of those minutes
• The other 6 minutes have basically been covered by Rip (+2) and Delfino (+4)
• Maxiel has received 10+ minutes in 5 games and has 2 DNP-CD