NBA - Main

Meh, playing hard, trying to score in a blowout is fine. But I want to see the young guys get minutes there. For my Wolves I want to see Leonard Williams getting some minutes where if he makes some mistakes on D, they can learn from that. Or see if Luka Garza can finally start defending the pick and roll, or see if Minott can put in some quality minutes... I could care less if Anthony Edwards gets his 30th point in a game because he's still in in the final couple minutes of a blowout.

Things I don't want to see in garbage time:

Teams situationally taking time outs, to swap in players or even to go over game plan unless it truly is a teaching moment. I don't want that last few minutes to be taking 15 minutes of real time because they are playing it like a 3 point game.

Stars risking themselves late in games, especially against a frustrated opponent.

Hucking up shots or trying to get some stat in the final 30 seconds. Looking at you Ricky Davis. Or as a Magic Fan in the Shaq years, Anthony Bowie

Still playing "chippy" late in games, taking obvious fouls late in games, trying for the steal when the shot clock is dead and a team is running out the last 20 seconds or so.

One of my fun memories of a game last year I went to for the Wolves was an earlier one last year, where the Wolves were starting to get that big lead vs. Houston. And finally up by 20 or so with 2-3 minutes left. And got to see Boban hit the floor and play a bit. That was more fun than KJ Martin try and get 20 points or something.

I agree, play to the whistle (or the shot clock expiring). Run your offense and take good shots if they are there in that time, don't just keep passing in circles and toss a contested 3 for multiple possessions. If you are a full court press team, see what those non-rotational guys can do in that defense and press. But I'm fine if those minutes are your 10-15 bench players.