Jordan Speaks On Load Managing

[rmt]

The crazy thing is alot of these guys aren't hurt. Kawhi is not hurt. He never tore or broke anything. Theyre just milking the system for their billion dollar reparations. Straight up. I dont mean to be racist but honestly **** these nigg@s.

Spoilt, if you ask me - part of this is Pop's fault. Kawhi was allowed to develop under very little pressure (because of TD, TP and Manu) - he didn't have to put in the minutes as most (who became) stars so he was "trained" and got used to this load management. Manu - because of his physical limitations - also got this treatment. Part of the reason why I scoff at the idea of Manu over TP - when TP (and Duncan in his early years) put in the minutes.

[GOBB]

Spot on. Jordan's in his 60s. Pretty much everybody's body is breaking down by then - not just people who played pro sports. They're getting paid a ton for it, and if they don't like what they have to put their body through to be a pro baller, than choose a different profession. Nobody owes them any sympathy.

Sorry but stupid take to say “if you don’t like it choose another profession”. When in reality their complaints can come true where the NBA actually lowers the games in a season. Thus they get what they “cried” for. So no there is no choose another profession here.

[rmt]

Sorry but stupid take to say “if you don’t like it choose another profession”. When in reality their complaints can come true where the NBA actually lowers the games in a season. Thus they get what they “cried” for. So no there is no choose another profession here.

So, you think the players would accept/be happy with half their salary if NBA cuts to 41 games per season? That would definitely produce a better product for us, the fans - you know, the ones who are paying for all this.

Maybe then, there wouldn't be this load management and we could get to see the (uninjured) stars/players at their MAXIMUM effort? But I bet we still wouldn't see maximum effort when the teams can just MAKE the playoffs and records reset to 0-0. After all, only the Finals/playoffs seem to matter these days.

[rmt]

Or maybe you think their salaries should stay the same, but NBA should lower the games in a season (so they're earning the same for even LESS work)? And we the fans, get less value for our hard earned dollars?

Although I don't see how less tickets, less concessions, less TV/cable games would net the amount to pay SAME salaries.

[bdonovan]

Athletes being concerned with how they walk later in life is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. Firstly, there is zero evidence whatsoever that load management has ANY effect on the regularity of injuries. Secondly and more importantly, being a rich, famous and adored star athlete more than makes for a dodgy knee when you're 60. That's the understatement of century in fact.

I will never understand people who worry about what they will be doing or what they'll be able to do when they're much older. It's ludicrous. Do everything you can right now. There is no point in preparing for an age that one, sucks and two, you might not even reach. Imagine you load managed, negatively affected your career either through reputation, money or achievement just so you can walk great when you're 65 but then have a heart attack at 50. What is the point of having a life if you don't ****ing live? If I kick the bucket at 50, I'll know in my head that I did pretty much everything I wanted to within reason and will have no regrets and I doubt a single one of the players who has a limp does either.

I think I understand where people are coming from. We equate athletes with warriors and in the warrior ethos, you give 100% on the battlefield. No ifs ands or buts.

The idea that athletes need breaks to avoid career-ending injuries and persistent injuries in the next 5 decades after they retire sounds like a soldier who wants to take a time-out during a gunfight.

The argument I reject is that they are "paid enough" to avoid load mgmt. That's between the team and the player.

As fans, we want our team and its top players to go 100%, regardless. We say players before have done it, so today's players should as well.

Invite you to check out people like Bill Walton years after his retirement; or guys like McGrady. Many players have had mobility issues after their playing days.

Derrick Rose, Grant Hill, Yao Ming - guys who's careers might have lasted longer with more conservative decisions on playing and when to return.

Check out the science links I posted earlier; a lot has been written about this. There's a way to have a balance between protecting the health of athletes and still being competitive.

[Baller234]

Another question that often seems to get overlooked:

Do teams and players have an obligation to win or to entertain?

Because as we know professional athletes are also professional entertainers. Sure there are a lot of fans who have an emotional interest in seeing their team win a championship, but a lot of people go to games just for a good time or take their kids. They aren't hardcore fans and they don't really care about "being healthy for the playoffs". They want to see the star players perform.

I'm willing to give the players the benefit of the doubt. I know a lot of them are coddled and spoiled, I know to a lot of them it's just about preserving their money making potential... but I do believe that we are asking too much of them when you consider the way the game is played now. If they really played every game and gave maximum effort, I think every team would be an injured mess come playoff time and no one would want that. I don't know maybe I'm wrong but there's no denying that these players are sprinting way more now.

The solution is less games and less playoff teams. Then you hit that sweet spot where every game matters and every team is giving maximum effort.

[tpols]

I think every team would be an injured mess come playoff time and no one would want that.

Ironically its actually been the opposite of that.

Everybody load manages nowadays yet we constantly see stars go down in the playoffs. Where as back in the day every body played all 82 hard and it was rare for a ring to be decided by injury.

Literally the opposite has transpired off what youre saying.

[GOBB]

Another question that often seems to get overlooked:

Do teams and players have an obligation to win or to entertain?

Because as we know professional athletes are also professional entertainers. Sure there are a lot of fans who have an emotional interest in seeing their team win a championship, but a lot of people go to games just for a good time or take their kids. They aren't hardcore fans and they don't really care about "being healthy for the playoffs". They want to see the star players perform.

I'm willing to give the players the benefit of the doubt. I know a lot of them are coddled and spoiled, I know to a lot of them it's just about preserving their money making potential... but I do believe that we are asking too much of them when you consider the way the game is played now. If they really played every game and gave maximum effort, I think every team would be an injured mess come playoff time and no one would want that. I don't know maybe I'm wrong but there's no denying that these players are sprinting way more now.

The solution is less games and less playoff teams. Then you hit that sweet spot where every game matters and every team is giving maximum effort.

What if you’re not getting maximum effort after you installed your coddle program in the nba? Then what? Lesser games? More snacks? What happens then when the assumption under your lesser lesser lesser argument doesn’t result in maximum effort.

[rmt]

@GOBB - my apologies - I must have misunderstood your 2nd to last post :-)

[Baller234]

Ironically its actually been the opposite of that.

Everybody load manages nowadays yet we constantly see stars go down in the playoffs. Where as back in the day every body played all 82 hard and it was rare for a ring to be decided by injury.

Literally the opposite has transpired off what youre saying.

Did you even read my post? I addressed this.

Players from "back in the day" weren't putting on the same mileage. The pace is faster now. More sprinting, more rotating. What does it tell you when teams are load managing but still coming into the playoffs hurt. What do you think would happen if they didn't load manage and put maximum effort into every game?

I don't see why this should be a hill to die on. Less games would only result in less injuries and higher quality basketball being played. Don't tell me you're going to miss that extra Tuesday game in December.

[Baller234]

What if you’re not getting maximum effort after you installed your coddle program in the nba? Then what? Lesser games? More snacks? What happens then when the assumption under your lesser lesser lesser argument doesn’t result in maximum effort.

Well this is why you have to decrease the number of playoff teams. Where is the sense of urgency going to come from if you can make the playoffs as a 10 seed? Lol what is the point of having this super long marathon season if you're rolling out the red carpet for more than half the teams in the league.

Baseball used to have it perfect. Division winners and a wild card. Four teams from each conference. Only the elite eight. Then you would see the teams giving maximum effort all year. Now the whole season matters. You can't afford to "load manage".

[Axe]

Did you even read my post? I addressed this.

Players from "back in the day" weren't putting on the same mileage. The pace is faster now. More sprinting, more rotating. What does it tell you when teams are load managing but still coming into the playoffs hurt. What do you think would happen if they didn't load manage and put maximum effort into every game?

I don't see why this should be a hill to die on. Less games would only result in less injuries and higher quality basketball being played. Don't tell me you're going to miss that extra Tuesday game in December.

How do they make it "better" again in your opinion?

[tpols]

Did you even read my post? I addressed this.

Players from "back in the day" weren't putting on the same mileage. The pace is faster now. More sprinting, more rotating. What does it tell you when teams are load managing but still coming into the playoffs hurt. What do you think would happen if they didn't load manage and put maximum effort into every game?

I don't see why this should be a hill to die on. Less games would only result in less injuries and higher quality basketball being played. Don't tell me you're going to miss that extra Tuesday game in December.

I dont believe this to be true at all. Pace was high in certain eras back then too. I watch the old time 80s series with Lakers Celtics Pistons Sixers etc. Guys were absolutely busting ass. Thats just a weak excuse. The truth is the heart of the game is a weak now and these YNs are spoiled by unreal amounts of money.

[Baller234]

I dont believe this to be true at all. Pace was high in certain eras back then too. I watch the old time 80s series with Lakers Celtics Pistons Sixers etc. Guys were absolutely busting ass. Thats just a weak excuse. The truth is the heart of the game is a weak now and these YNs are spoiled by unreal amounts of money.

They were busting ass but they weren't putting on the same mileage. Players are covering way more ground now. I'll admit that maybe the older games were more rough and physical, so the miles those players were putting on weren't always smooth highway miles, but the players today are REALLY moving.

I don't have to make my case, you can already see that I'm right judging from the amount of injuries. Every year come playoff time and multiple teams are hurt and multiple star players are out. It's been worse than it's ever been.

[Baller789]

Why are there more ACL injuries in the age of load management?