Load management in the NBA has become a major talking point over the last few years, with a lot of star and superstar players sitting out to rest when many would argue they should be on the floor, especially with how much it costs to go to games these days.
Things have gotten so bad in this load-management era of the NBA that the league has now implemented some new rules for players to qualify for regular-season awards, like MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, etc.
Players in the league now have to play a minimum of 65 games to qualify to be in the running for these regular-season awards, with the league hoping that will incentivize stars and superstars to make more of an effort to be on the floor as much as possible during an 82-game season.
Recently, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, who has played below 65 games (64) once in his career thus far, talked about load management and how it isn’t really his thing, which his track record shows, via Nike Elite Youth Basketball.
As real as it gets. 👏 @jaytatum0 @jumpman23 pic.twitter.com/Q7o3CxaH9j
— EliteYouthBasketball (@NikeEYB) July 25, 2023
Tatum saying this to young players of the next generation is a great thing to see, as it may lead to seeing players wanting to play as much as possible rather than looking for ways to rest unnecessarily.
Only time will tell if the NBA’s new rules for regular-season awards have an impact on load management in the league and if that will make for a better product on the floor on a nightly basis.
NEXT:
Analyst Takes Offense With Massive Jaylen Brown Contract