In a way, the distribution of minutes in NBA exhibition basketball is like feeding a ton of kids.  Scott Skiles takes the role of both parents (because he’s that good at being the dad) and every night he has to distribute food to all his kids.  His kids are fairly young though, so he’s got to make sure they’re all eating right and getting enough.  So he goes in the cupboard and pulls out 12 or so bowls depending on how many children show up that night.

(Over the years the family has become dysfunctional.  Some of the kids have left for greener pastures and some of the kids are old enough that they don’t really need to be fed by their parents anymore.  Problem is, those kids haven’t acheived enough to take on surrogate parent roles.  Those kids are really that kid, and his name is Dan Gadzuric.  Gadz hasn’t played in either of the last two exhibitions, I presume because we all know what we’re getting from Dan and there is no point in using his seemingly never ceasing motor in pre-season as he gets on in years.  Gadz can save his 10-15 productive, shot blocking minutes for the regular season and we can see what some of the other guys can do.  Now, back to my metaphor.) (more…)