Elliot Williams: I have high hopes for this “rookie” (he was out all last year with double knee surgeries), and the hopes are literally high because he’s got a 48” vertical. I know that is all anyone really talks about because he never gets any playing time, but after the Blazers burning the spike-less Spurs, I’d like to see McMillan give him more time on the floor. Many fans would love to see more of the bench unit, but there is a reason that they are fans and not NBA coaches. For the past two years amidst all the injuries, Nate had to go deep, and for the most part it worked. Now, with a fully healthy unit, he appears to be running only the guys he wants. John Hollinger just wrote an article about resting players, and Henry Abbott wrote a nice break down of how heavy minutes hurt. Play the bench, or don’t. Hopefully, the Blazers make it out of the first round.
