I agree with you on the play by play stamina but I still think there should be an overall game stamina. I don't think there should be ONE meter for stamina. I think there should be TWO. I don't think players have the EXACT same stamina at the tipoff as they do in the final seconds of the game...especially if they played the entire game.
Ratings should apply with the stamina. I wouldn't want the game to become a "whoever is most fresh is a better player" for that moment. But I definetly agree that stamina (and court spacing) are the keys to get the game fair and as cheese-free as possible