It’s not standard leaving stars in up 25, especially at home but whatever that doesn’t suit your narrative.
Narrative?
I'm just telling you what happens. Normal basketball plays.
I only need to look at recent games to show it.
On the actual same night as the Phx/Utah game - Orlando vs 76ers (Orlando win comfortably). 5:34 left in the game. Margin is 24 points. 76ers sub out their starters. 3:28 to go in the game, the Magic sub out their starters (which was the first dead ball after the 5:23 mark).
On the night before Rockets vs Pelicans (Rockets win comfortably) - Paul subs out with 4:49 left in the last quarter when the margin is 24
On the same night as the game above - Spurs vs Boston (Spurs win comfortably) - 3:22 left in the game - Margin 22 points - Boston sub out their starters. DeRozen comes out about a minute later.
Subbing out your starters at the 4-6 minute mark of a 20+ point game is pretty standard. In a lot of cases it's just after the losing team has thrown in the towel and subbed out their starters.
I have no idea how you think it's comparable.
There's 3 instances in a 2 day period. It's really normal. Not some "narrative". There would be 50+ examples over the season that reflect it.
Booker checking back in with 3 minutes to go probably hasn't happened in 5 years.
You're arguing a really weird point.
The difference here is that Booker is on a team that has been getting smashed most of the season and he’s been a shining light. He had to be talked into going back in, it was Jamal Crawford who suggested it.
I don’t get what the hullabaloo is all about. Is all of a sudden his 59 worth less because he subbed in? Would he have got greater endorsements by sitting on 56? You’re acting like he was an inefficient chucker. His first 3 touches when he came back in, he passed the ball. His 59 was the most efficient in history based on shooting metrics.
The Suns sucked in the 3 or so mins he was off the floor in the 4th and it was clear the Jazz weren’t easing up as they continued to ram it down the Suns’ throats.
Let the kid have some reward for his hard work it in what has been a rough season.
As for stat chasing of the worst kind, give me a spell.
This really confuses me. He could have been 20/20 from the field. It really doesn't matter.
I love the kid. He's got potential to be great.
Still doesn't change my opinion (and the majority of people's) on the particular incident.
Save the over dramatic stuff for talkback radio.
You literally said that starters checking out at the 4-6 minute mark of a 25 point game is worse. You're literally trying to make something very normal into a discussion point.
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