The NBA implemented a rule where players must play a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for end-of-year awards. The goal was to eliminate load management. The rule, however, has backfired, and it must be revoked next season.
One YouTube channel by the name of Thinking Basketball spoke on how the 65-game rule does not address the problem. The video is called “When the solution doesn’t address the problem,” and the video was hosted by Ben Taylor. He states that the main problem isn’t load management, but that the game is more demanding.
This was a point I agree with. The game today is much faster-paced. In today’s NBA, teams average well over 100 possessions per game.
That is a sharp incline from what it was from the 1990s to even the early 2010s. In that era, the possession count hovered around 90, with some years being less and others being more.
With more possessions, there is much more wear and tear on the players. A key point made in the video was the average number of times a player planted in a minute. Taylor pointed out that the data showed players planting from 0.5 to 1.5 times per minute in the 90s. The same data showed today’s players bumping that range up to 1.5-2.5.
NBA players essentially plant one more time per minute than they did 15-20 years ago, and over a season, that can wear on them. That is why players take more games off than in previous years.
Players such as Michael Jordan were able to play 82 games consistently because the game was much slower. With the prominence of the three-point shot today, that would turn catastrophic for players if they did that. The game has evolved, and the thought process needs to evolve, too.
It’s time to give the players some grace rather than punish them. Let’s look at the eye test and numbers rather than just believing every 90s and 2000s player gloating about their availability back in the day.
It’s sad to see players like Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, etc, not be eligible for any end-of-year awards. If players do not hit the 65-game threshold, they are not eligible for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), or All-NBA/Defense teams. It’s highway robbery.
One example is Doncic. He averaged 33 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists before his injury. Those numbers should easily get him first-team All-NBA. Instead, if his award appeal doesn’t work, he won’t make any of the NBA teams.
The next one is Cunningham. He was the driving force for a Detroit Pistons team that clinched the top seed in the East. This was a team that was in the gutter just two years ago, and his leadership and play have helped turn them around.
For Cunningham not to have anything to show for his play this year is sickening. The only reason he missed games was because of a collapsed lung. He’s been fantastic otherwise and more than deserves to be first team all-NBA.
The one who could turn out to be catastrophic is Victor Wembanyama. He needs to play one of their final two games and play at least 20 minutes to be eligible for awards. If he doesn’t, he will essentially have a DPOY be taken from him. All NBA fans know that he is the favorite.
The sad part is that it could be a likely scenario. The San Antonio Spurs are locked in the two seed. They cannot drop or catch the top seed. It would be wise for them to rest their starters and their banged-up superstar.
That, however, would throw away Wemby’s chance of winning a prestigious individual accolade. For a guy who cares about individual awards, as seen by campaigning for his own MVP case, it’ll be interesting to see what he decides to do.
This rule needs to be eliminated as soon as possible. I know that Adam Silver thinks the rule is working, but someone he trusts needs to convince him to repeal the rule.
It’s hurting the players’ individual leagues, and it’s not going to fix anything in terms of load management. With how the game is today, players need more rest, and the league needs to adjust, not punish.
The NBA needs to wake up.
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