Originally Posted by
NMThreeMVP
It's the E A S T E R N ...C O N F E R E N C E.
You know who else gets their team in the playoffs in that conference? Jason Kidd, Lionel Hollins, Randy Whitmann, Dwayne Casey. It's not exactly a murderers row over the last few years like the west. My hyperbolic response to Thibs is in direct proportion to the hyperbole that surrounds him as supposedly one of the league's top 5 coaches.
And his offenses will frequently look downright brutal.
I in no way meant to imply that Monty does not have the authority to bench players. I'm sure he does. Monty also has the mandate to win games and make the playoffs THIS season. He started the season with no legitimate small forward and no backup PG, making minutes for Tyreke a necessity. When we finally get QPon and Cole, we don't have Jrue. Again, making minutes for Tyreke a necessity.
Coaches that don't have a mandate placed on them, like Brad Stevens, or coaches that have depth, have the ability to bench players. When you're fighting for your job and the 8th seed, you're backed into a corner if you're trying to send a message to player that may cost you a game or two, that you HAVE TO win.