Hello,
I think that bench has little importance on this game, it's just used to keep minutes ok and starters shape good.
For the majority of teams, if you play "coach decides from formation" on a game, most likely your starters will automatically play 46 minutes for the best result. I don't think that should be ever possible, unless your bench guys are really bad.
When I put my PF and C with 100k salary, and a bench player with 50k replacing both, and make coach decide, I think he should get 25 mins at least...and starters 36 or something. But that's not the case, he gets only like 10 minutes...
Watch this awsome BBB Semifinal this year lol, where minutes doesn't affect gameshape: http://www.buzzerbeater.com/match/90309136/boxscore.aspx
That's not even realistic lol, bench minutes/points are so bad, and so many players playing 48 mins?!
BB already got stamina in this game, and I know that there is a formula where <stamina makes player worst the more minutes it takes...but I think that all staminas should get some more penalty, making bench more important (like 10%).
That way, when playing "coach decides from formation", bench would get more involved for the benefit of the team.
Get involveld and give your opinions! I would love to see 6th Man's being importante in a recent future ;)