Playing time is not a gift

Coach Don Nelson on why he takes young players out of the game after they make a mistake:

"Part of that is a teaching tool. I couldn't tell you I'm going to let a guy screw up too many times and not take him out of the game, but I'll put him back in, correct him. Within reason (players should be allowed to make mistakes), yeah, but also, you want to make sure that the guy is developing, and you don't hurt his chances by giving him too many gifts, he's also got to earn it. So it's kind of a delicate line. I'd say yeah, within reason, I can accept some mistakes, as long as they're not repeated too often."

Minutes are not a gift

Don Nelson was asked earlier this week about playing time for young players.

He gave a clear, candid response:


"There's always going to be somebody who's not playing. It's up to them to keep their minds open and be ready to go when I call on them. First of all, it's up to those players to deserve their minutes. It’s not a gift. They have to deserve them.

We’re diligently working to try to improve their games and when that moment comes, I’ll be glad to play them.

I have two young players [who] are able to play in an NBA game right now and you’d have a chance to win that NBA game. The other players I would think you wouldn’t have much of a chance to win at this point in their careers."