Nuggets players aren’t thrilled about being rested in loss to Grizzlies

The Nuggets lost 92-81 to the Grizzlies on Monday night, but they were never set up to win that game regardless. Head coach Melvin Hunt rested three starters: Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari. The Nuggets aren’t at all in the playoff picture in the Western Conference, so the strategy makes sense, but forward Wilson Chandler was vocal after the game about his displeasure.

Wilson Chandler, on if he expects the #Nuggets to have a full roster vs HOU with two days rest: “I have no idea what they are going to do.”

— Chris Dempsey (@dempseypost) March 17, 2015

Chandler: “Whoever is on the court just got to keep playing. It’s the nature of the business. I’m not a GM; I don’t know what’s going on.”

— Chris Dempsey (@dempseypost) March 17, 2015

Chandler: “It’s tough when you’re fighting together but you’re getting set up for failure.” #Nuggets — Chris Dempsey (@dempseypost) March 17, 2015

Faried declined to comment about being rested.

#Nuggets F Kenneth Faried asked about resting: “No comment.”

— Chris Dempsey (@dempseypost) March 17, 2015

This is an example of the notion that players don’t tank, organizations do. Even if you’re not going to make the playoffs and it’s in the team’s best interest to position themselves for a higher draft pick, no self-respecting player is going to intentionally lose games. That’s why tanking most often shows up in the form of either not fielding a competitive roster (the Sixers) or resting healthy players against a better team, like the Nuggets did tonight.

It’s understandable that players don’t love the strategy, but under the current system, it’s the smart thing to do.