NBA Tackles Down on “Load Management” Issues

“Load management” and resting players when healthy has become a common occurrence in the NBA.

The concept of “load managing” involves resting veteran or star players. When the idea first originated, only a few teams were participating in load managing. However, as time has progressed, the concept has become more extreme and prevalent throughout the league. This has led to the NBA implementing a new policy to fine teams for load managing.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver discussed this policy in a press conference with the media yesterday.

Unanimous Decision

Silver frequently discussed how every side of the situation is on the same page. Whether it be players, coaches, front offices or the Players Association, everyone has acknowledged load management as an issue.

“It’s a shared view by everyone in the league. It’s not just coming from the league office … It’s still an 82 game league,” Silver said.

He went on to talk about how involved the Players Association was with the decision. Stating that he didn’t want players and team to feel as if they were being infringed upon by the league.

Severity of the Issue

Silver said the load management has gotten out of control with some players. It has become too common to see multiple star players from two teams out on the same night, but be listed as healthy. He said that it’s a let-down to the fans and partners of the NBA.

“The message isn’t that rest isn’t important … but the most egregious examples when multiple star players are listed as healthy all on the same night is what this policy combats,” he said.

According to Silver, the policy isn’t designed to not let players rest. However, the worst cases where players are completely healthy but still decide to sit out because of “load management” is what the league is trying to tackle down on.

What the Science Says

When it comes to why the league took so long to act on load management, Silver cited the inconclusive science.

The league had been told that load managing would be better for longevity and injury prevention. However, statistics show that players who play in non-NBA tournaments on top of the 82 game season, such as the World Cup and the Olympics have no higher risk for injury than their counterparts that load manage.

“If the science was clearer about the advantages of resting players, we [the league] would be favoring it,” he said.

Although teams are highly competitive with one another, health shouldn’t be a field to compete in according to Silver.