Finally, the NBA has decided to crack down on load management.
Star players sitting out despite being healthy has become a major issue, and some fans believe it’s watering down the product.
That’s why the league intends to fine teams for resting multiple stars in a single game, and they will have to inform the league of load management at least one week in advance.
Nonetheless, the new rule also has an exception that’s tailor-made for some of the most prominent names in the league, namely LeBron James.
Apparently, star players — according to the league’s definition of ‘star’ — who are 35 years old by the season opener and/or have played at least 34,000 regular-season minutes or a total of 1,000 combined regular-season and playoff games, would get instant prior load management approval (via Bobby Marks and NBA Central).
LeBron James meets the criteria for the NBA's new rest policy exception
Stars who are 35 years old by the season opener, or who have tallied up 34,000 regular-season minutes or a total of 1,000 combined regular-season and playoff games, will receive prior load management… pic.twitter.com/irx6ZiaMdU
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 14, 2023
Besides LeBron, this rule would also benefit the likes of Mike Conley, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, and Stephen Curry.
It’s normal for superstars to get the league to bend the rules a little bit for them, and it’s safe to say that most of those players have earned their stripes in the league.
The fans want to see the best players on the court, and it’s time the league gives them that.
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