It’s done: the NBA steering committee, made up of 30 owners, has validated the new regulations on “load management”. Starting this season, NBA “stars” will no longer be able to rest as they wish. Since 2017, and the methods of Gregg Popovich, there already existed a regulation on player rest but the franchises circumvented it very easily, and for the NBA, it was to the detriment of the fans and the league.
“I think we will establish this principle, see how the teams react and see if we need to go further”, said Adam Silver at the end of the meeting and the vote. “But I think the most important thing is that all the different entities that make up the NBA feel like it’s ultimately about the fans and we’ve gone too far. »
The Warriors, the big trigger?
The straw that broke the camel’s back was perhaps that November evening, in New Orleans, when Steve Kerr rested Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins. It was the start of the season, and the Warriors rested their four best players in an away game.
The Golden State coach apologized, but for the NBA, it is no longer acceptable to rest several “stars” on the same evening. And even less so when it’s a game televised on the national network.
“It’s a way of recognizing that this has escaped us a little” admits Adam Silver. “Especially when you see young, healthy players resting. We try to address some of the more egregious examples. When several star players, for example, are healthy and all leave on the same night. By doing this, we are letting down the fans and we are letting down our partners. »
A unanimous vote
Upon arrival, this regulation concerns 25 teams and 50 players, or a little more than 10% of NBA players. Only 15 franchises have several “stars” (All-Star players or present on an All-NBA Team during the previous three seasons). The list of players affected could potentially evolve after the 2024 All-Star Game.
“We lay down a principle on the basis of an 82-match championship and we say: let’s all work together” concludes Adam Silver. “I think the best news to come out of this policy, whether it’s with the Players’ Association, the players or our teams over the last couple of days, is that everyone recognizes that this is a ‘a problem and it’s a problem for the fans. The adoption of this policy was therefore unanimous. »
