Reason three – Rest primary players
The Philadelphia 76ers boast a very good starting five. The team has a good pace, great passing, and solid perimeter scorers. And they are winning games at a pace not seen for many years. But the amount of playing time imposed on that starting five will take its toll on them come playoff time.
The Philadelphia 76ers needn’t bench starter, just lighten the load. Instead of 38 minutes for Robert Covington, give him 28 minutes and let Justin Anderson play 10 minutes. Instead of pushing all game minutes to either Redick or Belinelli, give eight minutes to TLC. Those minutes rested each game give the players breathers. And rested players are less susceptible to injury.
Surge for the playoffs
If the goal is to get the most of the starters now, what will this team do in postseason? Play a seven man rotation? Expect even more minutes from starters? Winning teams increase their starter playing time in the playoffs because that is the win-or-go-home environment. In any work situation, overtime is part of the equation. If the overtime is temporary, then workers rearrange their commitments, work the extra time, and finish the job. But if the overtime is continuous and mandatory, workers begin to lost quality productivity.
There is a trade-off for working longer. In the NBA, playing time is only a piece of the work. There is time at the gym, reviewing videos, walkthroughs, and a host of other things demanding time. Game time is the culmination of hours of preparation. With this first opportunity to make the playoffs, everyone in the Philadelphia 76ers organization is learning. But learning requires open mindedness. The team should aim their surge of 5-man starting lineups for playoff games. For now, run an 11 man rotation.