Should NBA stars sit regular season games (without being injured) ?

It happens all the time, they call it a "healthy scratch." There is been much debate this season about NBA players sitting in regular season games without an injury warranting their rest day. This season, as opposed to many others, has seen some of the higher caliber players resting on game days.

LeBron James

Courtesy of SB Nation

LeBron is one of the greatest of all time, and the NBA's reigning King. The three-time champion and four-time MVP has sat 5 games this season (as of Mar 30) and is expected to sit one-to-two more games as the season comes to a close. James is averaging 26 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game this season.

LeBron, as well as teammate, All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving have been criticized for sitting in multiple games this season, with the main complaint coming from a fanbase that feels robbed for paying to see players that may not be active on any given night. Both LeBron and Kyrie have been outspoken defending the players right to rest during the season. The Cavs were scheduled for games on consecutive nights 16 times this season, second in back-to-back games only to the (awful) New York Knicks.

Golden State Warriors

Courtesy of ESPN.com

March 11th - Saturday night’s ABC primetime matchup between the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs – the top two teams in the West separated by 1½ games – Warriors coach Steve Kerr rested Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala.

Last season, the Golden State Warriors set the NBA record for most wins in one season, with a 73-9 record improving on the 1995-'96 Chicago Bulls 72-10 record. This regular season success took a toll on the team in the postseason, though. Following a 7-game series against the Oklahoma City, they were drained by the NBA Finals where they played in another 7-games series, this time losing to LeBron's Cleveland Cavaliers.

Russell Westbrook and James Harden

Courtesy of Bleacher Report

This years MVP race is led by former OKC teammates Russell Westbrook, still with the Thunder, and James Harden, now of the Houston Rockets.

Harden, played in all 74 of the Houston Rockets regular season games thus far, and has averaged 29.3 points, 8 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game. When asked about the importance of playing all 82 games, he had this to say.

 “Yeah, because you’re not leaving your teammates out there to dry, “Harden said Tuesday morning, before the Rockets’ game against the Warriors.  “For me, I worry about always having my teammates’ back and always being out there.”

Westbrook, played in all 73 of the Oklahoma City Thunder regular season games thus far, and has averaged 31.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. When asked for his thoughts on NBA stars resting, he had this to say.

“I like to play basketball, so I like to go out and complete and have fun. For me, I look at it differently from being hurt, and missing a lot of games. I embrace every moment. I have an opportunity to play basketball, and I’m enjoying any time I can to get on the floor and play.”

Personally, I have been to multiple games where star players are taking an opportunity to rest. All-Star talents like John Wall, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Garnett, as well as others over the years. Although I as a fan want to see the best players compete, it is understandable that a player at such a high level at times can feel physically burnt out. I think it is the responsibility of the coach to win games, not to give the fans a show.