Load management in the NBA is an insult to the paying customer - Stephen A. | First Take

Stephen A. Smith reacts to the load management strategy this 2019-20 NBA season and disagrees that it's a good thing for the NBA.
#FirstTake #NBA
✔ Subscribe to ESPN+ plus.espn.com/
✔ Get the ESPN App: www.espn.com/espn/apps/espn
✔ Subscribe to ESPN on KZbin: es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoKZbin
✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on KZbin: bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC
✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on KZbin: bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN
✔ Watch ESPN on KZbin TV: es.pn/KZbinTV
Exclusive interviews with Rachel Nichols urlzs.com/jNURe
Stephen A. Smith on ESPN urlzs.com/W19Tz
ESPN on Social Media:
► Follow on Twitter: / espn
► Like on Facebook: / espn
► Follow on Instagram: fespn
Visit ESPN on KZbin to get up-to-the-minute sports news coverage, scores, highlights and commentary for NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, College Football, NCAA Basketball, soccer and more.
More on ESPN.com: www.espn.com

[@stevejobs8751]

Customer: I paid $800 for these tickets. Kawhi: I don't even know where you sittin at

[@Neobardock7621]

*Kawhi laugh*😂😂😂😂

[@christopherfletcher7879]

Dumbass people forget that the injury kawhi Leonard had. Most of the people don't come back from the injury that kawhi Leonard had. So it is good that he took a game off to make sure that he doesn't get injured like that again just because kawhi Leonard is blessed to come back from that and the chances are if he has that injury again he won't come back the same.

[@MrGenexxx]

Salty bronsexuals: Kawhi insulting paying customers! He's a disgrace to the league and should be banned for life! Same salty bronsexuals: I never been to a game in my life. I watch FreeDawkins highlights only.

[@haywood0457]

@@MrGenexxx This has nothing to do with be a LBJ fan. If he also consistently sat out when healthy, it would be a slap in the face just like any player but especially the stars.

[@topsykretts2264]

😂

[@evandurantgotameanjumpshot]

I didn’t show up to work today & I told my boss it was for “load management”.... I got fired

[@Carlos-zo3jp]

You aren’t an important enough employee.

[@spencerparker7374]

Doc Rivers: Kawhi where are you?! We’re looking for you in the arena! You’re not coming today? Kawhi: I’m on the couch chillin, load management. Yea that’s exactly how it works.....

[@naterace7]

😂😂

[@joshylineallen]

@@spencerparker7374you cant explain that to slow people. Im go pay a player 59 million to sit out half the season. Yeah im really getting my money woth

[@steveyoung4584]

Evan Durant Good point. You can’t just say “load management “ at work. You have to make up an excuse to not show up to work. Happens all the time. The NBA should do what other sports do and fake an injury or illness in order to justify not playing their stars for non important games.

[@Sam-sp7qh]

When the star players are load managing the tickets need to be 50% discount

[@lycandemon6167]

Or if more than 1 star 75% off

[@mannypelayo7370]

Customers should be able load manage their wallets when Players sit out

[@junijuni8529]

Yup!

[@charljack]

Lol. True

[@johnnykilroy3737]

Going to an NBA game is a privilege their are millions who'd love to go to an NBA game

[@igotjokes4ya340]

Manny Pelayo how do they know if a player is going to sit out when they already bought their tickets

[@ehlirodriguez1369]

Johnny Kilroy ok so what, you’re still paying hundreds of dollars expecting for the team to play. Not to have the superstar player sit out when he wants. You paid to see them as well.

[@Vsmug]

I see the positives and negatives with load management but like MJ said you get paid to play 82 games so you should be play 82 games

[@charlolbj23]

MJ got injured twice and missed like 60+ games both seasons 🤔 maybe if he load managed he wouldnt have gotten injured, not to mention he also took a 2 year break to play baseball

[@gabrielscott2928]

paid to play 82 games or paid to win a championship?

[@Norel_Nieves]

charlolbj23 MJ broke his foot, he did not sit out because he was tired. He also played 82 games like 7 seasons.

[@dionr1168]

Can anyone show me the games where Pat Riley sat Magic Johnson for "Load Management"? I'm interested in seeing that.

[@pureseduction93ce38]

Exactly ❕MJ is the True GOAT 💯

[@attatara5364]

I still dont think Kawhi cares about any of our feelings or opinions

[@jimmyearly359]

The vast majority of them don't...which is why I've never understood why people care so much about them.

[@SKTV1991]

As they shouldnt. They are on the court not you

[@davidcarter7606]

NBA players aren’t just gonna go out there and risk an injury bc the fans wanna see him play, unless you look at it from their prespective you’ll never understand load management and I know most fans don’t like it but you at least have to understand why they do it.

[@attatara5364]

@@SKTV1991 exactly. his priority is to win rings. not to make fans happy.

[@Shadow-nj6cr]

He honestly shouldn't. I remember when fans ripped Derrick Rose because he continued to sit because he didn't feel like he was ready. See how that turned out....

[@darenholloway6013]

Its like paying to go to a Destiny's Child reunion concert and Beyonce takes the night off.

[@Will-st4sy]

Exactly

[@lycandemon6167]

🤣😂💯

[@Rafael-xt1nm]

looool

[@eddiew2325]

Thomas I rather have Justin Bieber as the replacement

[@chrishandsome4267]

😂😂😂

[@kikihohohaha]

Teams should tell fans about who’s sitting out before they sell tickets that’s legit false advertising at this point

[@vanshagarwal2362]

I think that would be the best compromise

[@rizun82]

Tru, it's like going to a concert buying tickets at high prices and not knowing if the performers are going to show up

[@kikihohohaha]

Raman Jawanda 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@obo2999]

@@ramanjawanda6327 continue this attitude and watch the ticket sales drop. Most NBA games don't sell out for a reason

[@kikihohohaha]

Imaelito AC lol i just called him a 🤡 and left it at that but you legit buried him in his own stupidity 😂😂

[@Shadow-nj6cr]

They should've did load management with Derrick Rose in Chicago 🤷‍♂️

[@joshylineallen]

They did. He sat out dame near 2 years before he came back after his first injury

[@LazyCrazyGuy]

Tom Thibedau never bro, he just like Mike Antoni. He runs you into the ground.

[@EyeLoveTheStars]

No. Rose should have been smarter about how he played the game. Rose himself admitted that his relentless attacking style caused him to suffer those injuries. He said he should've played SMARTER and not harder. Thibs running him into the ground didn't help but Rose ultimately was responsible for his own health. Again. Rose admitted all this. Load management is for soft pussies like Leonard who needed his Uncle to speak for him. Can't speak for himself. 😂

[@iMAJESTiC_]

Tom thibodeau should've took d rose out the game

[@antoniogiles589]

He got hurt on da court. In da playoff. Load manage. We wouldn’t have saved him.

[@rdp_78]

I understand Where the owners are coming from but as a fan I don’t agree with it.

[@gblair7622]

Fans should stay home and keep their money.

[@Smartboi302]

G Blair thats the only way fans can have a say.. but there are enough people in the country who can afford to go to these games consistently that it really wont affect much

[@pureseduction93ce38]

Facts.... Fans STOP GOING TO THE CLIPPERS GAME 💯💯💯

[@starmanhov]

A deep playoff run will give the customer more than 82 games to watch and a chance at the chip

[@belloore9958]

Tell that to warriors fans

[@happycamper9300]

There should be some "SALARY MANAGEMENT" also

[@nuckymancini7013]

It's not the players choice to sit

[@nuckymancini7013]

Hence your POINT is MOOT

[@eamcbmsc]

Nucky Mancini it is the players choice.

[@babyj9371]

@@nuckymancini7013 Oh trust Kawhi is the one who chose to sit out.

[@kareemjohnson5967]

@@babyj9371 This is not always the case...

[@kasino007]

Fans should be able to get refunds for Load Managed games.

[@asterisk911]

But EVERY game is a game in which the management decides to sit some of the players who get paid millions. Every single game a millionaire gets benched by their team.

[@gunner0479]

Load management should absolutely exist if players are dealing or recovering from injuries. Kobe playing through injuries wasn't a smart thing, even though it's respectable it's not smart.

[@clarkbar]

you shouldnt be playing sports if you cant play through some level pain, it WAS part of the deal until 5 years ago. No, fans arent asking guys with torn ACLs and broken wrists to play through it, that is a different animal

[@papi-sauce]

injury list exists for that reason.

[@EduardoOliveira-zx9ju]

So the players want to work less, while the consumers are charged more??

[@pepitolopez4233]

Why not implement something like a "No play, no pay"? Since they already give incentives for star players to stay with their teams, why not give them something to play for in regular games since they downplay the regular season so much. And I agree, it's unfair they get to keep their money and not think of the fans who pay to watch them play.

[@teezy9790]

It’s no nut November I’m on load management as well

[@slurm5557]

👀

[@rolieg7353]

Nice

[@Str8From215]

Hahahahaha best comment I seen in a long time well done sir well done 💯

[@ethanwilkins662]

💀💀💀

[@philippematthewfrancisco3782]

Here after clippers blew a 3-1 lead

[@Justquitalready]

That one kid who wanted to see his favorite player and his mom and dad got him tickets for his birthday. They go and that Player is there and puts on a show the kid never forgets. That’s what it used to be about for a lot of these pros.

[@domkilluminati1036]

MJ played 80 games or more in 11 of 15 seasons....6 rings never taken games off and maximum effort on both ends of the floor

[@LENOVOPRODUCER]

The level of energy of MJ is above average and that's well documented too. LNP

[@tanishagordon2516]

Talk about all the great NBA players who had career ending injuries and never got that shot. Not ONE person.

[@legoatisthebestplayerevero2440]

Kobe or Mj would never💯💯

[@legoatisthebestplayerevero2440]

@kjax Thats why I aint put Lebron.

[@woah4843]

kjax Lemon James is better then Kobe because he got 5 mvps and Kobe only got 1

[@netsarebetter1067]

leGoat is the best player ever of all timer. Nice to see you finally come back to your senses bronsexual

[@tupacshakur5581]

If i would pick a player to play in my tean i would pick shaq over kobe

[@woah4843]

Christopher Law fans don’t even decide mvp but whatever

[@joshuafult84]

The problem with load management is the players are always a last second decision so you can't even know ahead of time if you should go or not.

[@andrejohnson1703]

Give partial refunds to the fans, and the players that sit 'don't get paid'...

[@Tjgunz11]

They don’t want to play for half the minutes and mess up their stats lol

[@jamal4717]

Wow, I never thought of that. I never understood why players just don't play half of the minutes against horrible teams

[@docj7631]

Exactly!

[@edicius00]

They should get zeros for their stats if they load manage.

[@Will-st4sy]

We don't wanna pay full charge and get watch half a team.

[@b4Sed1593]

William Crowley II Exactly. Refund the customer half their money if 1-2 all stars are purposefully sitting out

[@sports3117]

This stigma of resting high-profile players is hurting the product

[@GetMoneyBiz]

Sports 311 you sure about that??? or is that ALLEGED??? name all the high profile PLAYERS resting🤔

[@gamarjordan4530]

@Vitor Hara it is hurting broadcasters thats for sure, good luck getting better broadcast deals, they already hurtignh because of shitty streaming services and packages pushing ppl to just illegally stream

[@1990758]

Well it's going to get worse I can see the NBA cutting 10 games off the regular season

[@AnDr3w066]

Princess Lamari Mitchell it is about stopping before it gets out of hand

[@lightsout6393]

Everybody get sick days. So 3 rest days is cool out of 82 games

[@butimarealist007]

Totally agree... Teams should be required to release players scheduled load managed dates so that fans would have a better view of games they'd wish to attend!

[@Sydneesellsatlanta]

It is. I paid 600 to see my favorite player and he was sidelined.

[@leedeluca2705]

Same thing has happened to me :( was disappointed

[@cityboychad]

😂 Then you are stupid.

[@spencerparker7374]

Chad Awesome why?

[@cityboychad]

@@spencerparker7374 The players don't know where he was sitting.

[@ridwanabdulsalam4260]

Chad Awesome he’s stupid how?

[@ultramagnetic3556]

Ask John Stockton about Load Management

[@understanding7731]

Tell em Stephen A !! ✊🏽✊🏽👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 💯

[@killakam8738]

The problem is that load management has nothing to do with being healthy in the playoffs. Even Kawhi who is the greatest example of "load managing leading to a ring" was still limping in the playoffs even after load managing like 22 games. Even this early season. He load managed 2 games already and still only shot like 2-12 against the Raptors.

[@markusmahadeo1374]

Kawhi is just not durable at all, which is why he cant be the best player in the league

[@lazynotuseless8843]

I feel like every fan should not go to couple of clippers game then they will realize the fan power. We pay for expensive tickets to watch stars play and if every star starts to doing like that then regular season can get into dust. Fans have to show their power to them. Without us, NBA is non existable. We pay thats why they get paid and if they dont care about us and our money then we should show our power to them.

[@Simon_Sez]

Kevin Durant people already paid for season tickets 🤷🏼‍♂️ it’d definitely be a statement to have a nearly empty arena and they’d lose money on concessions, parking, etc but I’m sure a lot of games are already almost sold out so they’ve got their money’s worth whether people show up or not..

[@Simon_Sez]

Killa Kam that’s very true... it’s basically like Joel Embiid but they should at least be honest about that instead of Kawhi coming into the season saying he wants to play more games than last year and then sitting out 2 back to backs in the first 3 weeks..

[@killakam8738]

@@Simon_Sez For real... I believe I think like an average person. If the Clips just came out and said Kawhi's not hurt but were gunna sit him because it's what he wants and we want to rest him as much as possible. And they eat the fine for every game he sits out I'm fine with that. The way they're doing it now makes it look like blatant lieing and an attempt to cheat the system.

[@Augusto0926]

Thank you Stephen A ! Playing less minutes is both great for player and the customer who came to watch. As long as the NBA keep players in the game people will pay to watch them. It’s as simple as that.

[@jwcarroll6378]

How many times fans say “what if” when a starter or star player is injured in the postseason?

[@alexguerrier9363]

Load management in the first month of the season is ridiculous

[@superkid12345]

Load manages in Toronto - Toronto fans cheer him on, wish him the best - Wins title Load manages in Los Angeles - Fans demand he play, demand the league changes the rules, analysts talk non-stop about it for days, players criticize him.

[@Epictroll48]

Load manage those pay checks and we good 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@1990758]

Lol

[@MH-wi4dk]

I agree with you. I let’s see if players sit out now.

[@gregoryhill343]

Or ticket prices. That's what should happen. When star players sit then the games should be discounted price wise.

[@Number-gs3rv]

Hookemhorns48 cut off the salary of all injured players? Aight.

[@xCraftabIe]

@@Number-gs3rv That's not what load managment is, it's when a player is sitting out and isn't injured.

[@Ch3zzy]

I ain't about it. I never take days off of work for "Load Management".

[@kandilee2343]

SAS first time am backing you up on this one, you are absolutely right..

[@thenbalovesdp]

Stephen A. 💯

[@robpshow2234]

This load management out of control SMDH

[@1990758]

Exactly the simple fact is a lot of these teams are not going to win an NBA championship anytime soon New York Knicks Charlotte Hornets Dallas Mavericks

[@catalincristescu478]

Preach Stephen A. preach !!! MJ is the perfect model of how an athlete should respect his fans,

[@PS-pk7wf]

You get paid for the 82 games. Players thinking too ahead about the rings and playoff runs smh

[@Spartakiss]

Players don't owe fans anything. Their health should come first. If you got injured you wouldn't want to risk reinjury for a job

[@tonychesssnutsss1404]

Lisyghettostory Play left minutes oh but they don’t wanna mess up your stats

[@drpestwick1]

"Leonard is suffering from an ongoing injury to the patella tendon in his left knee and has been placed by the team at this time on an injury protocol for back-to-back games." Kawhi was actually a little pissed that the league disclosed all of that info. Which is probably from overcompensating from the quad issue from before and before everyone starts with their torches, I am a medical doctor. This is why it's crucial to diagnose early and treat properly lower extremity injuries in athletes especially soft tissue injuries which can linger, cause changes in gait, thereby causing other injuries in the other extremity or further down the kinetic chain. The man has an injury in his knee and knew I saw him hobbling late in the playoffs. It's nothing that needs surgery, it's not "serious" but it's the knee. The murderer of many a potential hall of fame career. I would be overly cautious as well.

[@nellzburn]

Facts I work with an MD he said something similar

[@LENOVOPRODUCER]

@@eamcbmsc The lady gave hypothesis about what she thinks is the problem. I could be based on her experience in her practice. So your points are not valid because what you think is not meant to be true either. So the lady said she is MD and she has nothing to prove to you. If you have a medical argument please present it or keep quiet. LNP

[@drpestwick1]

@@eamcbmsc Google my name. The information I quoted was released from the NBA. I copy and pasted it from their press release. Do you know what malpractice is? Why am I even engaging with an uneducated troll anyway who literally typed a bunch of nonsensical drivel.

[@LENOVOPRODUCER]

@@drpestwick1 Thank you Doc. These people tend to use words the don't even know the meaning of. LNP

[@LENOVOPRODUCER]

@@eamcbmsc nothing about law here. This lady is not treating somebody, but giving her hypothesis regarding the information provided by the NBA. She did not prescribe anything to anybody so I don't really see the "malpractice". Maybe you were thinking about unproved statements, erroneous diagnosis, or else. So the legal argument here is irrelevant and you should really consider stop writing and keep quiet for real now. LNP

[@davidriddle6677]

This is simple, just add more incentive to playoff seeding and shorten the season by 10-15 games

[@ATripToTheMovies773]

SAS dropping straight facts!!! 💯💯💯

[@protegee2]

I agree .. if I'm paying I wanna know who's playing or not.

[@cmoney5354]

When he was playing north of the border no one said a thing another reason why I think he should of stayed in T.O

[@jaquan541]

Fans did this to themselves. Y’all only care about rings so don’t get mad that the players are starting to too. If he wins a ring this year, no one will cry about load management

[@dennisthemenace855]

Kawhi has a hidden injury that he would never leak . It's no way he got injured TWO years ago and he still having load Management ?? Something is fishy

[@jleww8959]

🤔

[@MH-wi4dk]

Maybe “pa-cheap shot” hurt him more than we know. That’s another thing nba needs to work on.

[@tanishagordon2516]

Realistically he has arthritis.

[@dennisthemenace855]

@@tanishagordon2516 I'm starting to believe it's that . Injuries can lingere and develop into something else

[@pedroencarnacion2994]

On point brother

[@anthonys9892]

2 game minimum for players safety if in load management. See how fast they fall in the rankings

[@benkylo8015]

Stephen A. "Imma ignore how well the Celtics are doing without Cryrie " Smith.

[@elliottblair31]

Ben Kylo this. No one is talking about them lol

[@milespardoe5145]

It's November.

[@jaypeee97]

Who👀👀

[@nbafancrazy8606]

Ben Kylo I am glad you brought them up 1st in the freakin' NBA and no one is talking about them

[@CheleCanal]

You know what would solve load management? On back to back nights for example, give the player a reduced role on the 1st game, or use him as a bench role player. Game 2, make him a starter. That solves it.

[@drew5834]

Thanks SAS for thinking of the little guy ...

[@103delilah]

Y’all was real quiet when kawhi was load managing in Toronto 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@anthony9327]

Not a lot of Toronto games were nationally televised

[@hassu2149]

Kawhi got more clout now, more people wanna see him play

[@kingalexander3198]

They were quiet because he was coming off an injury in which he basically missed a whole season for and they assume since it’s been a couple years since that ZaZa injury that he has fully recovered

[@alwayslookingatself]

They won't call it load management, The players will just take time off for 'injuries'. It's the only way to win the Championship

[@30boyjb]

Dom S as they should

[@301SO]

They won't let me do "load management" at work so why should these NBA players be allowed to?

[@chakivang8586]

301SO sounds like you need a new job lol

[@OgLoC2]

They won't let you do load management because you are not an NBA athlete lol

[@elliottblair31]

They kinda do. You must have a shitty job.

[@docrakidocraki8067]

You aren’t worth millions to your work place, these players are. Huge difference dumbass

[@tonyochiha9798]

DUMBEST comment ever: If you're sick or hurt you're not allowed to take days off?

[@PS-pk7wf]

You are either injured or not. What is this load management bs.

[@Simon_Sez]

I think it makes sense for a guy like Joel Embiid earlier in his career but not Kawhi right now... he did look hurt in the playoffs at times but he literally came into the season saying he was healthy and not hoping to miss games like last season so this is ridiculous to me

[@rahulbosebose1]

As a NBA fan I also do load management. I only watch starting playoffs, only buy stadium tickets when my city team makes it past 1st round. I used to buy tickets when top teams visit during regular season. But learned quickly the best players don't show or dont play well in those games.

[@granthenderson4333]

I agree, I'm not going to an nda game till the end of the year, wait a minute, if the team has their playoff confirmed they won't play the best players. We are screwed.

[@rahulbosebose1]

@@granthenderson4333 reading comprehension class recommended for you.

[@washburn11000]

Back in MJ's era, players never took games off..the NBA is soft now🤷

[@Firstnameunknownfr]

washburn11000 they honestly got more smart. It’s unfair to the fans, but it’s smart for a longer run for the players

[@dovahduke4566]

All pro athletes are glass cannons in this age,

[@1990758]

Exactly it was an honor to play all 82 games

[@tanishagordon2516]

A lot of players from that era are working at restaurants and you’ve never heard of them because they got injured and discarded.

[@ivanwilson8038]

I'll spend $600 on another handgun before i buy a ticket to watch a star player sit on the sidelines

[@andrehts11]

Load Management should be this: Play your hardest and best in the 1st Half, them rest.

[@richardalfaro4933]

This is like 4th time I’ve thumbs up a video in like 10 years

[@ChiefMoteef]

It's like an actor skipping out on several scenes of a movie and showing up to the Oscars

[@sehlordhorr8540]

Tryclyde this needs to be said

[@monke7401]

Come one guys, Kawhi is a robot, he has algorithms that tell him when his parts are going to fail. We should trust him

[@xTnT87]

Adam Silver should force any team to REFUND and OFFER FREE SEATS if they excuse a day off for players under the premise of "Load Management"

[@StillTre_]

The issue this year with Kawhi is the fact that he said load management wouldn't be a thing this year and that he's 100% healthy. Last year he was coming back from injury so it was justified. Don't bring up what happened in Toronto last year as it was a different situation.

[@mlg2781]

supermax contracts are made possible by the fans. maybe they should go back to those 8 mil a year contracts again to remember why guys like mike said "i do not want a kid to come to the one game in his life and not see my best". millenial superstars and their millenial " ït needs to be made easy for me while still being praised" attitude. tired of them. fans should start paying these type of players back by not supporting any of their products or projects.

[@planetmarz1725]

Actually supermax contracts were created by the Billion Dollar TV deal between ESPN TNT and ABC. Everyone from g league to draft picks to the top players all got an increase in salaries.

[@planetmarz1725]

@Imaelito AC which is also why I don't like that tv contact that the NBA signed because it gives to much power to the networks.

[@planetmarz1725]

@Imaelito AC it's more about the economics of the league. The NBA didnt need to sign that contact they just wanted the security of the money into the league. Players were still getting paid but it was more about the game instead it's turned into a product of the networks. They create drama on all these talk shows and want to make sure players aren't showing them up by not playing.

[@1990758]

I've been telling people for over 20 years NBA players could care less about fans same thing with movie stars and singers

[@jeantaylor9734]

Dude its garaunteed money doesnt matter if they missed 60 games still getting paid

[@drewv5119]

Why watch the games on TV or even attend a game in person if the stars aren’t going to be there???? Not here not me

[@Smartboi302]

to each its own.. I went to a mavs game last year and was salty dirk didnt play. but i understood hes old af now lol

[@1990758]

Exactly and Max Kellerman will tell you a certain team would have won if it's not for resting

[@anitacal9040]

I agree with Stephen A. Back in the day, I did hate it when the star players would sit. One way around it is, come to the game and play 5 minutes in the first quarter/5 minutes in the fourth quarter. It's not ideal, but folks get to see you play and

[@j.e.thomas9759]

I have to agree with this. The bigger picture is that it’s all about the end results but it only matters with marquee teams

[@toothrowedTV]

People : I wana see kawhi Kawhi : on the bench

[@cityboychad]

ESPN is just salty Kawhi missed two ESPN games. They didn't care when HE DID THIS ALL LAST SEASON!!

[@ErvElMaur]

Chad Awesome he was coming off an bad injury year before

[@chubydukskruber7969]

I agree. Decrease the quantity of season's games then. I think load management is unfair to the fans but I also think the increasing use of load management by teams for their star players is indicative of the damage that a 82 game season (not to mention the long post season ) can do to a players body. Stop back-to-back games and see how much that will affect players.

[@justinpesterfield4410]

One of his BEST Points! Spot on...

[@guru_basketball_kiero]

LeBron's load management: COMING SOON

[@1987benhur]

China wont let him load manage.

[@dtimms]

17 year vs 9 year player.....

[@JYP1M]

The situation will come to ahead if fans stop going to the games or attendance starts dropping during the regular season. At that point the players and owners will have to get things in order. I'm pro player by the way, but tickets aren't cheap. If a star player isn't playing due to load management -- automatic refund should be an option.

[@AlexSmith-tz2lf]

Introduce "games played" as a contract incentive and watch that stop. Or be forced on the players to limit a quota. 🤷

[@InvestBetter.]

Load Management is a good idea, for certain players, and certain teams For the Lakers, with LeBron, or for the Clippers, with Kawhi, it might be a great idea For the Charlotte Hornets, no..... One size doesn't fit all

[@senseihustle4293]

Fan who wants to go see Giannis vs Kawhi..? 💵🎟 Load Management; “Hold my Kawhi”!!!

[@tayroc5596]

Only Kawhi Leonard more than the league and more than the fans, knows what's best for Kawhi.

[@blck.]

Doesn't matter, to be honest. When you buy a ticket to the game, it's got Kawhi's face on it. If he isn't going to play, you should be able to get a refund as a customer. You're not going there to see Lou Williams play, or you would have bought tickets last year.

[@wolfievondon9896]

Here's the only fix.... Before the next game (if it's not a back to back), let the fans know who is playing and who is not, Then go from there. I get that you have to fill in the seats for money, but people travel states to see a specific person, and if they don't see that player, that's a lost fan at worse. Might as well handle it like that

[@mobetta2092]

When you possess a quality skill set that's optimal, rare, and in demand and countless people will pay top dollar to see your performance, you're able to dictate when your skill set is displayed to mere mortals who can't do what you do.

[@flatbush_ant726]

So fans only show up to games to watch one player ? I’m confused

[@kaseyburlingham2861]

I haven't been to a game in 19 years but I plan on going to go to one this year just to watch the Greek Freak!

[@jejo63660]

Yes?

[@flatbush_ant726]

Kasey Burlingham well how about the other 14 players.. when embiid or someone else is out i wanna see all other guys step up. I get wanting to see ya favorite player tho.

[@kaseyburlingham2861]

@@flatbush_ant726 it just depends if you're a casual basketball fan or not. I prefer to play basketball not watch it so I don't typically watch the games. But there are certain players I would like to go and see. If I was a die-hard fan I would agree with you.

[@flatbush_ant726]

Kasey Burlingham that makes sense!

[@razmatazz9452]

Jordan said something like: I want to play EVERY game hard and to the best of my ability. Just in case there is someone watching who has never seen me play.. Goat is going to be anyone’s opinion, but that’s goat talk... Imagine any of the greats taking 1/3 of the season off, there literally would be much less greatness to talk about..

[@tyronpouncey5985]

I agree with SAS that’s why I’m hesitant to buy the lakers vs wizards tickets in March (28th) I’m afraid that no one would play and I’ll be pissed

[@rashaanyt9245]

Load Management is about to be da #1 topic this whole season

[@DaigodonDarkstar]

Morale of the story Stephen knows kawhis health better then he does

[@edicius00]

Doc Rivers said he was healthy and it was load management.

[@jeshsol4634]

You know the double standard is hilarious, I remember a few years ago when all people would talk about is lebrons load management and now we act like that never happened

[@jjthe13th]

I used to see this in My Career in NBA 2K (I don't play these latest ones because they are predatory trash) when for instance I'm playing another team, and in between the quarters they'd advertise our next game. They plastered his face and say "my team, facing off against Rose and the Bulls at a certain time, don't miss it" but then I finally meet them, prepared to play against him, I don't see him. I felt incredibly disappointed. After the game I check the injury status report, and he's there for the next 3 months (I had two saves, so I load up the othr one just when I finished the previous game and he was still injured) I thought if I was a fan, I'd feel suckered out of my money, I came to see a duel between 2 players and I got nothing

[@Danielhyam1]

I told my job I wanted to "Load Manage" myself, and I was fired for not showing up to work.

[@ThePatman1980]

LeBron joined up with two other All-Stars in their prime to win rings and uses HGH. Has his hair falling out. Reminds us all that he's never cheated the game. 🤣

[@AnDr3w066]

Fun Guy the majority of players are on juice

[@unlimitedmoneyent6267]

All athletes use gear, sports wouldnt be as entertaining if they were clean

[@hahahagivemeasmile6074]

I feel another NBA strike coming again and you can blame it all on the media

[@shawnkurtis984]

I’ve never been to an NBA game and I can understand why load management needs to be done for certain players but do not expect fans to pay an insane amount of money to see bench players . If they wanna load manage then give fans a heads up so they can save their money .

[@beehive141]

Wow I can imagine me getting load manage at my job that's paying me 20-30 millions of dollars . Now that's heaven.!!!

[@ThePatman1980]

LeBron's load management is teaming up with two other All-Stars in their prime and not playing defense for the previous 5 years.

[@tarunguhanand2911]

Idk, I'd rather my teams stars show up in the playoffs than miss those games.

[@gregorcollins]

Stephen A, right on point as usual.

[@wess8346]

I pay to go one game a year with my kids. Last season it was Mavs/76ers. Luka, Embid, Jimmy Butler were all resting. It sucked. Now I don't even want to pay good money to go. I dont know who will be playing and who wont.

[@croc313]

They are only humans. I wish that would've done this a lot of players back in the 90s and so on. Imagine T mac penny grant hill etc had load management. Players we loved could still be playin today or a lil longer.

[@BrownPatriot316]

Curt Nasty Injuries would have happened regardless of load management or not. These guys train and play at an elite level. They have the endurance to play 82 games a year. But injuries, are inevitable.

[@croc313]

@@BrownPatriot316 naw bro. I feel you in the training part but at the same time them guys won't be in their 20s forever. The body breaks down at some point. A guy in his 30s not the same as a guy in his 20s

[@AdrianBrown]

Someone tell Stephen A that they'd "Load Manage" even if there were ZERO people in attendance

[@dg18053]

The point is that the teams shouldn't be profiting off ticket sales if they're doing this.

[@AdrianBrown]

@@dg18053 Ever heard of the words "Card Subject To Change"? It applies to pretty much EVERY sport

[@dg18053]

@@AdrianBrown The legality of it isn't the question, it's the ethical aspect of it. People have every right to voice their displeasure and call out unethical practices that take advantage of paying customers. That's why I don't buy team merch or tickets.

[@curtistaylor6433]

Solution... if don't play in a certain amount of games in the regular season you aren't eligible to play more than 20 minutes in a playoff game.

[@legendarywiimaster]

The NBA should announce whose sitting out due to load management for the sake of fans not wasting $500. As a young fan I like load management if it means giving a player rest due to wear and tear or things like cramps or back problems. Those things aren’t a big deal playing through sometimes but every time it just adds up and you get a situation where you’re forced to retire early like Larry Bird Also, the organization usually chooses when to load manage players, not the players themselves