Completely disagree that all players can't decipher this very basic scenario. And for the ones who can't, they're idiots. Because as we've seen particularly in the NBA, guys will do virtually anything to play for a winner.
As for turning the competitive juices off, I'm about as competitive a person as you'll find (not nearly at this level of course), but if you told me if I lose this meaningless game today my team will be better next year, I'd literally lay down and hand the ball to the other team. Winning hurts you, and it's not subjective nor debatable. Anyone who doesn't grasp that concept isn't terribly bright.