Sitting out stars can stand test in decider

THE grand finals are here and we can’t wait for the kick-off or first bounce this weekend.

But a long season can certainly take its toll on the players, both physically and mentally, so what is a coach to do so players do not burnout?

Having had the privilege of being involved with great coaches in the NRL, NBL, WNBL and Olympic Games, I can tell you it may be a little thing called “the science of sitting out”, the “healthy scratch”, or more commonly known as the DNP-Rest.

Notably, the DNP-Rest gained worldwide media attention when on December 5, 2015, NBA superstar LeBron James sat quietly on the Cavs’ bench, not in uniform but in his finest street attire.

Coach Blatt made the call for James to sit the game out, marking the first time in James’ career he was rested in a game before Christmas.

He did so again in February and another four times heading into the playoff stretch.

Others followed suit in a practice that can be dated back to the 2005-06 NBA season.

Some NRL teams invest heavily in hi-tech sport science to ensure players don’t burn out on the eve of the finals.

Often after the Origin period players are rested from games, and rightly so.

When Paul Gallen was ruled out of the Sharks’ qualifying final against Canberra due to a back injury, everyone said the Sharks were done.

Now looking back, Gallen not taking the field may be defining difference between the Sharks and Storm in the GF.

The advantages of not playing that extra game on Gallen’s body at this time of the year will be there for all to see.

So back to that little thing called “the science of sitting out”. I am not suggesting Gallen wasn’t injured, but not playing may be a huge bonus.

When James sat out games, yes, the Cavs lost most.

Months later, when it matters most, a fit James led the NBA Finals in minutes played.

So the biggest call from a coach all year may well be DNP-Rest.