Washington Wizards Mailbag Monday: Why 50 Wins Is More Important Than Resting Starters

"Since we’re locked into the fourth seed, which is more important: rest or 50 wins? – Cameron via Twitter"

Hey, Cameron:

Resting starters has become a trend in the NBA.

Look, players, believe it or not, are pretty well rested sans the travel. They have world-class physical therapists, doctors and others on hand who monitor the athletes constantly.

The coaches – all of whom get paid millions of dollars, I might add – are professionals, too. They know when their players are tired. Years of observation has resulted in the coaches knowing how to run their practices. There’s a thought that NBA teams are practicing for three, four hours a day. That’s usually not the case.

Before the playoffs begin, coaches typically slow the practices and focus on situational stuff – like learning the scouting report, watching tape and doing non-contact drills. Being prepared to play a team in a seven game series is more important than rehearsing a regular practice.

My point is, players will be rested before the playoffs begin, regardless if they play at the end of the regular season or not. Would it hurt if John Wall got an extra 48 minutes of rest? It certainly wouldn’t. Would it make a tremendous difference? I don’t think it would.

But the 50 win mark is significant because the team hasn’t reached it in 40 years. It’s important that the fans have something tangible to be proud of, just like the Southeast Division Title was important.

Even moreso, it would be something the players could be proud of and look back on fondly. John Wall has never won 50 games in D.C. Future free agents recognize the difference between 45 (or even 48) and 50 wins.

Next: Lifelong Wizards Fan Reflects On Historic Season

Again – the Washington Wizards haven’t gotten to 50 wins since 1979. This has been a historic season. History matters more than a few extra minutes of rest.