Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins claimed that NBA players and teams were picking games to sit out stars for “load management” before the season even started. The overall conversation was about the 65-game minimum for award consideration and why Perkins is defending the NBA for the controversial rule.
Perkins claimed that the NBA had to step in to stop teams from abusing the rule:
“Before the season starting, especially with some of these franchise players around the league, they get with their organization, they look at the schedule throughout the course of the whole season, and they actually were planning games that they were going to miss and sit out. Whether it was back-to-backs or whatever the case may be. This rule is a rule that holds guys accountable.
Because players and organizations were starting to disrespect the greats that came before them. Guys that paved the way like [Michael] Jordan, Magic [Johnson], [Larry] Bird, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, the list goes on, that took pride in playing games every single night.”
Perkins shared that he has it on good authority that load management saw players planning to sit out games long before the season started, let alone before injuries started to impact them. Names like Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid have been accused of taking load management too far in the past, but Perkins didn’t mention anyone by name.
Perkins Made Good Point About NBA Rule
Commissioner Adam Silver has been under criticism for the 65-game minimum rule negatively impacting the season. Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham, and Anthony Edwards are expected to all finish within five games short of the requirement to harm them.
Fans and teams are upset about players with real circumstances just blocking them from getting All-NBA selections and votes for other awards. However, Perkins referenced how bad load management got with a large percentage of stars sitting out games for precautionary reasons.
Silver had to do something due to all the complaints and criticism about NBA stars sitting out games for questionable reasons more than any other major team sports league. Perkins shared the argument in favor of why the rule was needed and why Silver should keep it going.
NBA Should Investigate If Perkins Is Truthful
If Perkins’ claims about teams starting load management plans in the summer are true, that is a massive problem for the NBA. The league would have to investigate teams intentionally planning to rest stars months before the season starts.
Silver’s plan has seen players playing more games this season and trying to qualify for awards. Nikola Jokic returned earlier than expected from an injury and has played every game since then due to only being allowed to miss one more game to qualify for awards.
Kawhi is just three games away from reaching 65 games for just the second time in his career since 2017. The incentive of the rule is certainly making players take the game more seriously. However, it is not perfect by any means and creates issues. Perkins’ claims would be a bigger issue than a few names getting snubbed from All-NBA teams.
Kendrick Perkins Makes Strong Accusation About Players Using Load Management