Although I understand the point of playing players at the end of the season (for the fans), what does Golden State have to benefit from it? Let the players start, get their cheers, and come out.
What has Golden State benefited from playing anyone for most of the season? Many of their games have been "meaningless" from the standpoint of contending. I think it's losing the plot a little bit to stop playing players because the games "don't mean anything" (unless you have playoffs to prepare for and look forward to). Pro sports is first and foremost an entertainment for spectators...what enjoyment would fans get from a Warriors game if they essentially didn't play their best players whenever contention was out? Perhaps if leagues instituted a rule that once a team has been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, their season is done. That way, they don't play any players they value for games that don't matter and fans don't have to watch games devoid of any entertainment. Of course, that would make schedules difficult to create.
I'm taking my 4 year son to his first ever NBA game this Wednesday when the Blazers come to town. I want ALL the stars to play because he already knows all the best players on both teams so hopefully Ellis will . . . and we win. Either way, I know he'll have a blast!
