NBA's Top 20 leaders in minutes played for 2012-13 season

What does it mean to lead the league in minutes played? On one hand it demonstrates that you have incredible stamina. But not averaging a bunch of minutes is not evidence of lack of stamina. Look at JaVale McGee and his 18 minutes per game. Leading the league in minutes signifies that your coach needs you on the floor for long periods of time, and that you are good enough to play at a high level for extended periods of time. It is also a measure of durability. Injury-prone players are rarely at the top of the league in minutes played. According to NBA 2K13, these are the players who are the most durable in the league. Now at the end of the regular season, lets see how reality compares to virtual reality.

Here’s a look at the league leaders in minutes played this season:

Its very unusual to see a rookie lead the league in total minutes, and Damien Lillard is such a phenomenon. He becomes the first rookie to lead the league in total minutes played since Elvin Hayes did it back in 1968-69 No surprise to see Bryant and Durant at the top. Among the top 20 in minutes played, there are only seven players who averaged more than 38 minutes. Lillard, Durant, Kobe, Harden, Curry, Deng, and Batum. NBA 2K13 had Durant at the 25th spot when it came to durability, which although is different to stamina, is still a major factor in minutes played. Another trend that appears is the lack of big men among the top 20. David Lee is the only legit big man on this list.