The new rules to combat “load management” are now known: ban on resting a star for matches televised on the national network; also ban on putting two stars in the fridge in the same match.
In the process, after the definition of a star was clarified, the list of players concerned was established: 25 teams and 49 players, or almost 11% of the NBA. But as is often the case, when faced with a ban, exemptions were added by the league.
The privilege of age
ESPN explains that franchises will be able to request leniency for players over 35 years old (or who have more than 1,000 matches or 34,000 minutes on the clock) during back-to-backs. Will be in this category: Chris Paul, Mike Conley, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan and James Harden.
To do this, teams will have to provide, one week in advance, written information to justify the withdrawal of the player concerned. For example: last season, the Lakers rested Anthony Davis and LeBron James on January 30 in Brooklyn, before playing them the next day in New York. This would be theoretically impossible in 2023/24, except that since LeBron James is over 35 years old (and well over 1,000 games and 34,000 minutes in his legs), he will be able to obtain an “exemption”.
On the other hand, still with this example, if the “King” is absent against the Nets, Anthony Davis will no longer be able to be absent since two stars can no longer miss the same match. Nor against the Knicks for that matter, because the meeting was broadcast on the national network.
Liabilities with injuries will also count
Second notable exception: returns from injury. New example with the Clippers who will be able to do without Kawhi Leonard on October 31 against Orlando, the day before a match on ESPN against the Lakers. For what ? Because the Los Angeles winger has a heavy history of injuries and had surgery this summer.
Clarification: these exemptions will not apply to back-to-back matches broadcast on the national network, or which will take place during the “NBA Cup”, the tournament at the heart of the season… unless the second match of the back-to-back is also broadcast on the national network or that it is also an “NBA Cup” match.
Finally, the stars will obviously always be able to miss major matches (without risk of fine) if they are really injured, or for personal or exceptional reasons, or even during the last matches of the regular season. Doing “load management” for the last evening before the “play-in” and the playoffs should not be a problem.
