- Load management has become a big problem for the NBA
- The board of governors is reportedly set to vote on a rule that stops teams from resting more than one star in a game
- A star is defined as a player that has made an All-Star appearance or an All-NBA team in the last three seasons
The NBA has been trying to combat issues related to load management for the past decade. Many stars have been missing games so they can rest, and it has led to a lot of criticism.
Now, the league is looking to do something about it, with Shams Charania reporting the new rule they are set to vote on in the coming week.
“NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote this week on a new policy that a team is unable to rest two star players in the same game, sources say,” Charania reported.
“Many league discussions over the past 1-2 years have centered around stars playing more, curbing load management.”
NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote this week on new policy that a team is unable to rest two star players in the same game, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Many league discussions over past 1-2 years have centered around stars playing more, curbing load management.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 11, 2023
This rule in action would mean that the Los Angeles Lakers cannot rest LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the same game provided both are healthy, for example.
It will be interesting to see what would happen if one star is injured and the team needs to rest their other star, but these things will become more apparent if and when the board decides to implement this idea.
The NBA Has A Set Definition For Who Qualifies As A Star Player
The immediate question that is raised in this situation is what the league means when they say ‘star.’ There are many star players across the NBA, some of whom are past their primes but would still be called stars by fans.
To curb any confusion, Shams Charania also reported what the league defines as a star in this situation. He explained that it is linked to the number of All-Star and All-NBA teams they have made in the recent past.
“Under current discussions among team and league personnel, a star is defined by someone who’s made an All-Star or All-NBA team in the past three seasons,” sources said.
Under current discussions among team and league personnel, a star is defined by someone who's made an All-Star or All-NBA team in the past three seasons, sources said. https://t.co/2WBe1BPrUG
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 11, 2023
This would preclude players like Derrick Rose, who have been MVPs in the past from being involved under the new rule. It also makes a lot of sense, as the idea is for more players that are in their prime to play more games which is what the fans want to see.
The NBA Has Been Taking Many Measures To Curb Load Management
This is not the first time load management as an issue has been brought up in terms of direct action from the league. The NBA has already been trying to address it.
For example, they introduced a rule to be implemented starting in the 2023-24 season that will disqualify any player who hasn’t played 65 games from winning awards at the end of the season.
“Players must be on the floor for 20 minutes in at least 65 games to be eligible for honors including NBA MVP and All-NBA teams.”
The NBPA is likely not too pleased with this new development, although it remains to be seen if they will put up any resistance against it. The Board of Governors will be thinking hard about what this might mean for future relations between them and the players.
In the short term, if the rule is passed, more stars will have to play more games, and teams will have to take those strategies into account throughout the season.
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