While the NBA unveiled the 2023/24 schedule, and back-to-backs are up slightly with an average of 14 per franchise, Bam Adebayo spoke about “load management“, this tendency which consists in resting its stars during the regular season. In particular the second evenings of “back-to-back”, or at the end of the season to save before the playoffs.
For the Heat center, this practice is unfortunate, especially for fans who make financial sacrifices to see their favorite players in action.
“It bothers me a bit because there are a lot of children and parents who want to see you play” reminds Adebayo. “There are children who probably come from disadvantaged neighborhoods and their parents manage to put them in the stands, before learning that they are not playing. And that’s because players tell themselves that they have to manage their rest in anticipation of this or that…”
And Adebayo to take example from him, when he was a kid. “I remember as a child I would have given my last dollar and an arm to go see Kobe Bryant play. I know that if I felt this, many other children do today. Personally, that’s what I like least about players.
To fight against “load management”, the NBA has decided to set up quotas to be eligible for end-of-year trophies, and it will be necessary to play at least 65 matches to claim an individual award, such as MVP or Most Improved Player.
