Load management has become an epidemic in the NBA. Star players regularly sit out regular season games, and the league's response has been insufficient.
The data (Source: NBA injury reports, Spotrac):
- In the 2023-24 season, the average star player (All-NBA caliber) played approximately 60-65 games out of 82.
- Source: Basketball Reference games played data for All-NBA selections.
- Teams with championship aspirations strategically rest stars in the second game of back-to-backs, nationally televised games, and road trips.
Why it matters:
- Fans buy tickets to see specific players. When Wembanyama sits out a road game in Dallas, fans who paid $200+ to see him are left watching bench players.
- The NBA's TV partners (ESPN, TNT, NBC) pay billions for marquee matchups. When stars rest, ratings drop.
- The regular season is 82 games from October to April. If stars play 60, nearly a quarter of the regular season features diminished rosters.
The league's attempts to fix it:
- The NBA's player participation policy fines teams for resting healthy players during nationally televised games.
- Source: NBA Communications — player participation policy memo.
- The policy has reduced the most egregious cases but load management culture remains.
The argument for load management:
- NBA seasons are 82 games plus potentially 28 playoff games. That is 110 games in 9 months.
- Player health matters more than regular season wins. A healthy star in the playoffs is worth more than a worn-down star in April.
- Kawhi Leonard's load management with the Raptors in 2019 resulted in a championship. Source: Toronto Raptors 2018-19 season results.
The argument against:
- Other professional leagues play similar schedules (MLB: 162 games) without normalized rest days for healthy players.
- The fan experience should matter. People save money to attend games.
Sources:
- Basketball Reference — games played data
- NBA Communications — participation policy
- ESPN — load management analysis
- Spotrac — contract data
Is it just me?
The Kawhi example is the best argument for load management. He played 60 games, was healthy for the playoffs, and won the championship. The results speak.