Breaking down some minutes

Basketball is the only sport where people routinely break down minutes. As much as who’s playing where or who’s starting, we want to know how much court time everyone will get.

There’s an art and a science to breaking down minutes and putting together different combinations. Jerry Stackhouse joked that he’s a part of the team’s best and worst lineups.

Avery Johnson talked a little about the backcourt rotation today. He can’t help it since we keep asking about it.

Jason Terry averaged 16.7 points in 35.1 minutes last year. “I’d like to see [his minutes] go down and him be more effective,” Johnson said.

Whether or not Terry starts, Johnson assured that all parties are on board: “Absolutely. No doubt there. It will not be an issue.” Same goes for Terry: “Wherever he inserts me in that’s where I’ll be playing.”

Devin Harris logged 26 minutes per game last year, and Johnson was playfully coy on the subject of playing time for his point guard. “Somewhere between 25 and 40,” Johnson said. “That would put is where – 32? That’s what you write. Say he’s going to average 32 minutes.”

As for Jerry Stackhouse, 24-minute guy last season, Johnson prefers the status quo. “I want him about the same,” he said, adding Stackhouse is most effective playing in burst of 5-7 minutes.