None of this can really be disputed..to me, the question I highlighted(in bold) is a way to simply look ahead. Eg: at 40 games, say we only had 35 -37 pts. They're cooked.
If it's 50, we're probably in like Flynn. It's likely somewhere within that range, of course.
So over the relative-leisure of winter holidays, that number will also have bearing on JB's trade decisions; from Jan1st , until TDL in later Feb. With the ongoing cap pinch, we'll have to be decisive in Jan/Feb, as well as season-end. It's compelling that these next 6 wks(on top of interest/excitement in each, individual tilt) should play such a big part in making those calls.
In Aug/Sept they decided to carry LOTS of extra, sizeable, grinding depth. That decision is looking pretty sharp, about now.