While I do still consider it a "Bleak Winter" or a "Lost Season", there has been a lot of good to come out of it: there's talent in the late 1st round/early 2nd round, and we know now that KP can mine those veins of gold. This is good to know, because when uninjured, we'll be getting a lot of those late 1st round picks. Nate has learned to better accept players with established methods of working; we are now more likely to integrate well with a free agent or received player from a trade. We have learned who plays well together, in which roles, and why. Extra minutes (including starter's minutes for some otherwise warming the bench) gave the front office and coaching staff insights.
Look at how well we use Bayless now in late-game situations. Look at how well Howard has done, not only as a stop-gap player, but as a mentor. Without minutes, his rookies might not have learned so well or quickly. See how Nate no longer pulls players after one mistake or two fouls. He plays the hot hand more. The team is gelling, and in unexpected ways. Dante and Batum in the same lineup? That would never have happened without these injuries; we know now that Dante is a young Ime Udoka, and that he and Bayless are smothering without being foul-prone. They will likely be a great defensive pair without sacrificing offense.
There are so many positives to take out of what looked like a desolate proposition. I'm with Shooter: this has been a season that will be remembered, and not only for the injuries.
