The NBA Is Quickly Drowning Because Of Load Management
The NBA is not the same. There once was a time when playing a full 82-game NBA season meant something. Michael Jordan played all 82 games in nine of his 15 years and 80 or more in 11. John Stockton, known as the Iron Man, played 16 consecutive years without missing a game. Kobe Bryant said he did not want to take a night off because it may be one fan who saved up their last dollar to watch him play that night and he did not want to disappoint that fan.
NBA Players Today VS Yesterday
Old School Players took pride in playing every single game. But today a lot has changed. Players get injured a lot more. My theory as to why, I will discuss in another story, but ever since Kawhi Leonard decided to coin the term load management due to his body injuries, more and more players are starting to do it.
Kawhi missed a full season on a knee injury that typically is ready to go in 6 to 8 months. He took almost 20 months off yet still got paid. I wish I could tell my job “I just don’t feel good I’m going to take a few months off” and still get paid.
According to CBS Sports, “Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is withdrawing from Team USA and will not play in the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games” probably because he has to manage his body again. More and more NBA players are sitting out games especially a back to back. Where is the toughness? Where has the competitiveness gone? It is trickling down now to younger players who also have seen injuries increase. Bronny James, just drafted 2 weeks ago, played 20 minutes in a summer league game then sat out the next night with knee soreness.
Related Story: The Lakers Are Creating A Strong Melt Down With Fans
Has The NBA Become Much Harder Or Much Softer
My cousin, former NBA player Darius Rice played in the Las Vegas summer league 4 days in a row and never sat out due to knee soreness. He might have gotten released, as well as many other players trying to get to the league.
Has the game gotten harder and more physical? Personally, I do not think so. I think there is so much money being thrown at NBA players today that they are afraid to lose their money or career, or in today’s terms “Fumble The Bag”.
If the NBA imposed fines more and treated these athletes on a per-game basis for pay, I can guarantee that load management would decrease. It is a privilege, but a job first. However, when I know I will get $25,000,000 to sit out, then maybe my body hurts sometimes. These players should have more loyalty for the game and play more.
In sports, your body will hurt every day. Every athlete wakes up and something on their body hurts. That’s the difference between passion and a paycheck. Passion should be why you play the game. I remember the NBA slogan was “I Love This Game!” Fans loved it, the players loved it, the competition, the paycheck, and the pain. Let’s stop the load managing, and play for the fans that pay that salary every night!
Professional Athletes Who Followed In Their Parent's Footsteps
Julius Erving and Alexandra Stevenson
Both are amazing and accomplished athletes.
Alexandra Stevenson is the father of Julius Erving. Julius is known for being the face of the American Basketball Association. Dr. J as he was known is an iconic player who was also in the ABA and NBA. He’s a four-time MVP and 16-time All Star, according to his personal Instagram. Alexandra Stevenson is the daughter of Dr. J, and is an accomplished teisplayer. She’s one of the only women to reach the Wimbledon semifinals, The Sun reports. She also is an ESPN tennis analyst.
Pam McGee and Imani Stafford
Pam McGee was a 1984 Kodak All-American, a finalist for the 1983 Wade Trophy, and a finalist for the 1984 Naismith Award, according to Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She was a “first-round draft pick in the inaugural season of the WNBA, and she is the first WNBA player to have a son play in the NBA,” the Hall of Fame website states. Her daughter, Imani Stafford is also a WNBA star and has played for teams like Chicago Sky, the Atlanta Dream and the Dallas Wing.
Kenny Williams and Kyle Williams
Kenny Williams is a baseball executive and former MLB player, according to the MLB’s website. Aside from being a player, he rose to the ranks and became the vice president of the Chicago White Sox Association. His son, Kyle Williams, is also a successful athlete. He recently played with the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, according to his ESPN profile.
