Any fan of the NBA has become familiar with the term ‘load management’ in recent years. It is a strategy in which teams will rest their superstar players during less important regular season games, in hopes that they will be fresh and healthy come playoff time, when the games matter most.
The Toronto Raptors used this strategy to perfection in 2019 with Kawhi Leonard, as he was coming off injury and the Raptors limited him to play in only 60 out of 82 regular season games. The extra rest ended up helping as Leonard then appeared in all 24 playoff games leading Toronto to their first championship with Kawhi being named Finals M.V.P.
Although the strategy can work to win basketball games, the problem is that fans pay their hard earned money to go and watch these superstars and when they find out they are not playing because of ‘load management’, it can be highly disappointing. Obviously, the last thing any sports league wants to do is anger their fanbase, so the NBA is looking at possible solutions for this issue.
Although the solution in the tweet above is not perfect, it is definitely a step in the right direction. The only thing worse than missing out on seeing your favorite player play, would be missing out on seeing your two favorite players suit up.
Over the last few seasons, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers have been the poster boys for load management and social media was calling them out for it. Here are some of the reactions:
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