Novak

[chren21]

So I see that Novak was inactive tonight.  What exactly does that mean?  I am not familiar how that works in the NBA.  Is that like the practice squad in the NFL?

[SPCMU06]

Noticed that.  The espn boxscore for the Timberwolves also listed Lazar as "DNP -- coach's decision".  Also got me thinking...

[chren21]

Well I guess I dont feel so stupid as over one hundred people have read this with no explanation....  On another note Wesley playing not so good on ESPN right now against the Clippers...

[HouWarrior]

So I see that Novak was inactive tonight.  What exactly does that mean?  I am not familiar how that works in the NBA.  Is that like the practice squad in the NFL?

NBA used to have injured reserve list--requiring a sit down of 5 games-- now it can just activate a player --game by game(See NBA.com explanation below).

So Novak being Inactive simlpy confirms he is down at the tail end of the roster...getting paid, this week. If he is still with them in January-- his contract becomes gty'ed for the year.

Lazar is both on the roster, and with 2 years gty'ed, ...a coach not playing a player, by his decision, happens every night in the NBA..its insignificant. Unlike Little League,  the NBA does not require every player play in every game (lol)

EXPLANATION ON NBA "INACTIVE":


..."Under the  Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team is required to carry 12 players on its active list and at least one player on its inactive list. Teams may have a maximum of three players on its inactive list, which includes any players sent to the NBA Development League.
In the past, a team maintained a 12-player roster, with additional players being put on the injured list, which forced the player to sit a minimum of five games before again being eligible to play. Now, the active and inactive list can be set on a game-by-game basis, one hour before tip-off, with no length of stay required for either list.

If, for example, a star player is injured and forced to sit out one or two games, the coach can now place him on the inactive list and "activate" another player, giving the team a full 12 players available to play. In previous seasons, that player would have had to stay on the injured list five games, so instead the team would frequently just sit the player and make do with the other 11 available players. ...."

[chren21]

Thank you.  Much appreciated.

[Ron Paul]

Lazar was also a DNP-Coach's Decision

[Bob "Big Daddy" Wild]

Most of this is off fuzzy memory, but if someone disagrees we can get to the right answer.

NBA teams are allowed to carry 15 players.  However, only 12 are allowed to suit up per game...but no restrictions on who it is of those 15.  So, Steve had to bust his ass and made the Mavs keep him as the 15th player...basically, he is bottom of the line.  Much like Wes and Utah, the Mavs were only expecting to keep 14, and his preseason play made them keep him one.

However, since they can only suit up 12, expect Steve to get a lot of DNPs until injuries and fatigue start to set in.

[mug644]

Most of this is off fuzzy memory, but if someone disagrees we can get to the right answer.

NBA teams are allowed to carry 15 players.  However, only 12 are allowed to suit up per game...but no restrictions on who it is of those 15.  So, Steve had to bust his ass and made the Mavs keep him as the 15th player...basically, he is bottom of the line.  Much like Wes and Utah, the Mavs were only expecting to keep 14, and his preseason play made them keep him one.

However, since they can only suit up 12, expect Steve to get a lot of DNPs until injuries and fatigue start to set in.

That's a helpful and practical way to look at it, but once clarification: Steve is likely to get a lot of "inactives" until injuries and fatigue set in, meaning he will continue to not even dress. Once he's among the 12 and in uniform for a game, he may well start accumulating DNPs, but I hope not.