Is NBA load management ruining the game

Chris’s Take:

I don’t think so.

I believe that load management, used correctly, can be a very effective tool for extending a player’s career.

Take recently returned Lonzo Ball for example, if he was expected to come back and play 35 minutes a game for 82 games this season, there is a high chance he re-injures his knee or tendons again, possibly being a career-ending injury

An example of a player being forced to play more minutes than he should is Kawhi Leonard. There is currently a lawsuit being filed against the LA Clippers by a former athletic trainer for playing Leonard before it was safe for him to return after suffering multiple lower body injuries

Leonard has been struggling with injury even since his time with the Spurs, but fans began to notice a serious decline in his health after his tenure in LA began. If he was tended to properly and managed correctly, his career could have a much better outlook than it does now.

The league has also put regulations into place to encourage healthy players to play at least 65 games in order to be eligible for awards like the MVP and All-NBA selections.

However, there is an exception to these rules for players who are at least 35 years old and have played a minimum of 34,000 minutes or played 1,000 career games (regular season and playoffs)

The few exempt players are those who have earned the extra rest and more than put the time in.

There are currently seven who fit the criteria: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Chris Paul, DeMar DeRozan and Mike Conley.

Ben’s take:

Absolutely it is.

When you reach star status in the NBA it used to be understood that fans pay for tickets to watch the best of the best, if you were that player it was on you to make sure fans get the experience they paid for.

With load management now especially with players calling out at the very last minute, fans and families that paid good money to see the stars and big names play unfortunately do not get the experience that they wanted.

Eventually, that is going to start to hurt the game, while I understand the mindset that players need to be available for the playoffs so teams can put their best foot forward, staggering it out throughout the year is not the way the NBA should want it to go to sell their product.

Instead, there should be two stretches a year where star players do not play: the in-season tournament and the last few weeks of the season if they are out of playoff contention, or comfortable enough where they can give the star players a long rest.

The in-season tournament, while it is an exciting new opportunity for fans to watch the game, has more risks than rewards. Similarly in Europe where teams tend to rest their top talent for cup games, teams would benefit in the NBA from an extended rest for their stars.

The last week of the season unless you are competing for home-court advantage or at risk of being pushed out of the playoffs and or a play-in spot really means nothing in terms of shifting standings. Teams that are eliminated or are comfortable with where they are could also rest their star talent for a week or two.

Andrew’s Take:

I do believe it is ruining the game.

The trend is heading in the direction of these star players with injury history taking advantage of load management to try to preserve themselves.

The idea is smart for these players but from a fan perspective, imagine you are going to a game to see your favorite player Joel Embiid. Now, Embiid is not playing in back-to-backs this season and is manipulating the system to be able to be healthy for longer.

The NBA is now investigating the 76ers for this exact problem in the NBA. Embiid is not the only player who is manipulating the system on his team. Paul George is another player who has been known to sit out here and there during the season. So, 76ers fans, don’t expect to see too much of this duo playing together throughout the season.

What makes this problem worse in my opinion is that Embiid played for Team USA this past summer in the Summer Olympics. If he’s going to then consistently sit out to preserve himself, why would he not use the entire summer to rest his body?

I know it seems like I’m targeting Embiid, but he’s the main person in this issue. Kawhi Leonard is another player that fits that category.

Why not just play as much as you can, win your team games, and then rest before the postseason? I know it’s not that easy but it should be something to think about for this uprising issue.

Julia’s Take:

Load management is ruining the game.

It creates excess drama and distraction surrounding the team.

The NBA is in the second week of the season and they already completed an investigation on the 76ers. From a fan perspective, it does not make sense to investigate player participation in Week 1, but that’s another issue.

The investigation found that the Sixers did not violate this policy, but head coach Nick Nurse and president of operations Daryl Morey violated league policy by making remarks that were not consistent with Joel Embiid’s health status. The team was fined $100k.

Teams need to ensure that their stars make it to the playoffs in May and stay healthy throughout June. But for a team like the Sixers who found themselves eliminated on May 2, 2024, it makes no sense why Embiid still hasn’t stepped onto the court, four games into the season.

Yes, this offseason had the 2024 Paris Olympics, but that was over in early August.

Load management also can decrease the value of All-NBA selections and regular season awards as teams focus on resting stars for the playoffs.

A player may earn All-NBA recognition, simply because they played the necessary games and minutes that a star did not play in order to rest to be healthy October through June.

The Player Participation Policy implemented last season was a good idea, but isn’t effective as it hasn’t stopped load management in the league, which continues to plague the quality of play early in the season and especially in back-to-back games.

Chris Vadnais is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email cmv5562@psu.edu.

Andrew Deal is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email asd5765@psu.edu

Ben Hoyt is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email benhoytbroadcasting@gmail.com

Julia Henry is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism and labor and human resources, to contact her please email jbh6443@psu.edu.