Brooklyn coach tries to explain why key players sat against Bulls
This was certainly a hot topic in NBA circles on Wednesday: Why would the Brooklyn Nets, with the worst record in the league, rest three regulars in the season finale?
Brooklyn decided to sit top scorers Brook Lopez and Jeremy Lin, plus power forward Trevor Booker, for Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Sean Kilpatrick, Quincy Acy and Joe Harris were already out with injuries.
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson tried to explain the reasoning before the game.
"Like we do everything, it's a decision that I think we took as a franchise and an organization; looking at what's the best for the Nets," he said. "We want to go into this offseason healthy. It's a huge offseason for us. Again, I think we made the decision in the best interest of our organization."
The counter argument is Brooklyn should give its best shot since the game has playoff implications. Miami needed either the Bulls or Indiana to lose in order to make the playoffs.
Lin made a logical counter before the game in the Nets' locker room. The Heat had 41 chances to get one more win and Brooklyn already helped by beating the Bulls last Saturday.
"As a competitor I understand it," Atkinson said. "But again, I think we have to look at it from the Brooklyn Nets franchise and what's best for us."
Lin and Lopez do have a history of injuries. But last weekend, Lopez said getting a chance to play spoiler for twin brother Robin was a dream come true.
"I had a simple conversation with him yesterday, talked about it and he understood it," Atkinson said. "It's kind of in the same vein I'm telling you, how we're looking at it and how valuable he is to our franchise. I'll add the other guys resting, those are valuable people for us. I do think we've seen a sufficient sample size of those guys playing together. We're looking at long-term health and that extends into the offseason."
To rest or not rest:
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg had a good line about his own playing career when asked about the NBA's resting players controversy.
"I was a guy that was ready when teams rested their players," he said.
It's not like the Nets resting players was unusual. The Hawks, Wizards, Bucks and Cavaliers all kept their star players sidelined on Wednesday. And some teams rest guys on certain nights throughout the regular season.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has talked about introducing guidelines for resting star players.
"I would imagine (it will be addressed), just based on all the conversations there's been about it," Hoiberg said. "I'll be as interested as anybody to see what takes place in the talks this summer."
Wade on Butler:
Dwyane Wade shared some thoughts about Bulls teammate and fellow Marquette product Jimmy Butler at Wednesday's shootaround.
"I didn't know how good he was," Wade said. "I think we all are seeing the evolution of Jimmy Butler. I can't say anybody, even Jimmy, knew that he would be this player right now.
"The biggest thing that surprised me is he's a clutch player. For a guy who hasn't had a lot of clutch moments in his career, he's as clutch as it gets. Every time it's a big shot, it seems like he makes it."
Bulls playoff tickets on sale:
Tickets for the Bulls' playoff games in Rounds 1 and 2 are already on sale. They can be purchased at bulls.com, nbatickets.com, the United Center box office and by phone at 1-800-4NBATIX.