Stephen A. and Max Kellerman get into a heated debate over load management in the NBA | First Take

Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman debate the impact that load management has on the NBA season.
#FirstTake #NBA
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[@KyngFishN]

Max just missed a perfect moment to say “ You’re wrong and here’s why “ 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@SoulsDark321]

swear 💀

[@allmightoneforall1338]

Max is right tho people always confuse *real* defense with that WWE bullshit that used to go down, being able to slam someone is a *much* easier way of stopping someone from scoring than the defense that is required now

[@012gage]

Facts lol

[@kriss613]

@@allmightoneforall1338 Intesting take

[@Supafreshh]

I would’ve died 🤣

[@CTB1106]

“Are you saying, with a straight face, on national television” 😭

[@JusRozYo]

that was amazing😂😂😂 they just weren't on the same page of what ''harder defense'' and ''more defense'' means 😪

[@acruz978]

Araz Aliyev You hit it right on the nail !

[@TonyRay919]

😂😂😂😂

[@painoftruth6593]

They used to run the court only the strongest still had a jump shot at the end of the game😛😛😛

[@Christian900]

Gotta love Em 😆

[@jeremywalton7001]

*Video LITERALLY STARTING* Max: You’re wrong 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davids.7845]

Jeremy Walton the vid right before this is part 1😂😂

[@ethananderson6516]

I literally did the same thing haha

[@ItsAnEndlessWorld]

😭😭

[@ochovon8238]

Did you see Stephen A face 😭😭

[@mdlbackup]

😂

[@seancarter7954]

“That’s a lie... THATS A LIE”...😂😂😂

[@joel146]

It was a lie

[@andruha1067]

More fake news from the liberal media. What else is new.

[@toryrods]

*Click on video* Max: You're Wong... Me: Oh this is gonna be good😬

[@alixnemorin1935]

Tory Rodney 🔥🔥🔥 lol that hyped me up

[@coreybanks4943]

Tory Rodney gahahahah

[@lxnnrz]

Om 😂😂

[@anthonyg9017]

But in the end max was wrong defense was way more intense back in the day

[@dreadxplayzs7849]

Lmfao

[@sirmacray]

These two are the best thing since tom and Jerry 😂

[@jamdum2290]

Lol

[@jdaily2293]

Skip and Steve was better, shame ESPN let Skip walk

[@silversauceran]

whos the tom whos the jerry skip and shannon is great too

[@TheodoreBrosevelt]

@@silversauceran They're more like a married couple

[@nicolascovarrubias7915]

"could you imagine me talking to a room full of max's" hahaha

[@facelessandnameless]

Nicolas Covarrubias I died when he said that 😂

[@djcutarekord]

Don't shoot!

[@breazybear]

Max had been told he's "wrong and here's why" more than anyone ever

[@yvans.]

Stephen A Smith : Max : You’re wrong Stephen: You’re wrong and there is........ wait a minute

[@BobbyGeneGrayson3]

Max: “you’re wrong” Stephen A: “wait, what?!” 😂😂

[@DwayneIsKing]

SAS: 👁👄👁"woah, woah! Chillll bro chilllll!" 😂😂😂

[@TheDifferenced]

Das illegal!

[@swsmp]

uno reverse card

[@brianditto5070]

Only issue I have with load management is the star player taking off for an away game. Do it at home where they get to see you 41 times

[@kennethrivers4601]

Agreed

[@matthewr920]

Nope, road trips are when players are worn down the most. The schedule puts a lot of strain on the players when they go on a 6 game road trip and the last one is a B2B. I don't care if its on ESPN or TNT as an organization you rest and take care of your players when they are worn and exhausted, not ask them to play for a game that ultimately means little to their legacy. Like Max was saying the media has blown up the importance of the title and not enjoying the game on a day to day basis.

[@gabrielwitte1259]

Why would a team decide to lower their ticket sales by having the stars take games off at home

[@214chopsticks214]

They should just figure out how much money the players are getting paid a year. Find the average of money per game. And take that money off the paycheck. That'll be fair. If you don't play, you dont get paid. And they'll lose more money than just a fine.

[@alexanderjackson8389]

@@214chopsticks214 they still get paid to practice

[@sdsumiguel5937]

Load Management is a great title for an adult film.

[@elijahr0ck730]

Now I gotta go check the hub... it has to be out there

[@brandonbates9259]

Lol funny and true

[@jayphilly1703]

Dude, you are wrong for that one 😂😂😂

[@chrisrobinson8339]

Naw because loads are being managed

[@kevothegoat9891]

Nobody peep how mad max got when molly spoke at the end 😂😂

[@kevinwilson3296]

Kevo The Goat i seen that😂😂

[@mansamusa6724]

6:25

[@officialconch]

“I heard a by the way” lol

[@WhelmedButReady]

@@officialconch Bro, what was that? Lol, just blatant disrespect

[@officialconch]

RedLightning17 Max Savageman

[@MrDrimtim]

SAS: "Can you imagine me speaking to a room full of Max's? "

[@tjsmith3046]

Don’t say the magic words Max, “ You’re wrong”

[@samuelacosta1059]

"Don't tell me what I'm thinking. I speak fluent English. I know what I'm saying" Stephen A. is a legend

[@ghostblack305]

lol lol lol

[@joeyzhang3034]

I love how Steve say: that’s not what I’m saying but go ahead 🙄😂😂

[@ankletaker2729]

He does that when he’s losing the argument. And when he realizes he’s wrong he says. “See what you said there was slick max! If that’s what we’re talking about then you’re right, but...”

[@kamalidennis5546]

AnkleTaker 2 or he will say “when you look at it from perspective”

[@nprwikeepa6082]

It's Stephen A. not Steve.. Show some respect to the goat!

[@chrisrobinson8339]

Lol

[@chrisrobinson8339]

Stephen

[@ShazammtheProducer]

Max hit him with the your wrong and here’s why lol

[@chrisrobinson8339]

Noooice

[@RatoyaBanks]

The pistons were beating everybody up back in the bad boys days and they weren’t taking load management days 😂😂😂😂😂

[@SKTV1991]

They only had two players who were actually good basketball players. The rest were bums who couldnt do anything but beat people up

[@christianmandigo5108]

@@SKTV1991 they were all time elite team stop it they were very good

[@kalix975]

Josh Smith they had off days when they played against the expansion teams

[@RatoyaBanks]

I was referring to the teams that played them when I said they weren’t taking load management days. If we were about to play Detroit i would’ve definitely used a load management day 😂😂😂

[@nmasijika7557]

Ratoya Banks nba players with more strength today would body the pistons no cap only a Karl Malone and and a wilt and a Russell can handle that

[@DJNaz4You]

Max: Stephen A if you divide the jewels of energy spent by the number of times they run up and down the court times the distance of the court.... Stephen A: 🤯

[@rudyviray8931]

*Joules

[@DJNaz4You]

Rudy Viray thanks bro lol

[@wombatnation1709]

“Thanks bro” *Still doesn’t edit comment

[@DJNaz4You]

Wombat Nation relax lol

[@mottz1382]

When SAS twitches his head .... He’s about to go in 🤣😂

[@TehZaydo]

G code

[@heavenizmyhome718]

😂🤣😂

[@Psycho_Logical_631]

Max: winning championships is like the thing now in the NBA....really so isn't that the thing in all sports? Lol you dont play sports to have a good reg season, you play for chips!!

[@MalikEKC]

They don't sell their sports on it. The best player in baseball has played in 1 playoff series and no one holds it against him

[@Kj-lg2lb]

MalikEKC u most not watch baseball if a pitcher plays every game he’ll blow his shoulder out😭😭do your research

[@kyleallen22]

Yes but the hype over the NBA trophy is insanely higher than the regular season compared to the NFL where regular season matchups are huge then comes the super bowl. The only fanbase that is hype for the finals only is the NBA the regular season isnt as talked up as much was Max's point I think

[@donnellthurmond9008]

@@Kj-lg2lb = hh

[@OfficialJHoly]

@@kyleallen22 No that is Max's point and he says that clearly. I swear a lot of people are just like Steven A sometimes. I'm not gonna lie it is hard to follow Max sometimes but the dude does state his claims clearly if your brain can't process it then that's on you. I don't get how this guy portrayed his comment like Max didn't lay out why a championship in the NBA is more hyped than Chips in the other sports.

[@sasssports9664]

They should exercise more "Load Management" for Max n SAS. They have been talking all kinds of crazy lately. 🤣😂😎

[@LightDriveGaming]

Max gunna be gone soon Skip coming back

[@flamerjunkie1954]

@@LightDriveGaming from what sources

[@jordanworld321]

😂

[@FaceFamous]

@@flamerjunkie1954 google it. it was brought up yesterday as an idea. His contract is up next year

[@BrianLockett]

@@LightDriveGaming I doubt that'll happen. As bad as Max can be sometimes (which I think he sometimes does, just to give the show a "debate"), Skip is worse for the show. First Take's ratings are much better with SAS and Max. Max has more personality and is more likable (even when folks don't like him) than Skip is. Max also gives the show more chance to talk boxing, which is making a gradual rise again in sports.

[@alfonsowhite7613]

Max said a fact....players have way more diversity of skills now, WAYYYYYYY harder to defend players than it was back in the day. The only reason people say that players played harder back then is because they were allowed to do more because of the rules. It is harder to guard people now because you can’t do the stuff they were allowed to.

[@Ant_theAlmighty]

My biggest wish is for undisputed and first take to merge into one show

[@eddydede4275]

ajswaq bruh that’s PPV worth type

[@luckycarter536]

They should make it a bigger deal & do it only like every other month

[@kamalidennis5546]

Exactly what I’ve been wanting for the longest it would be crazy. Just don’t let molly come

[@Getyoahh]

Bro Shannon vs Stephen A would be worth paying to see

[@Ant_theAlmighty]

Kamali Dennis Molly definitely is not invited

[@andresarroyo2025]

I look forward to every time they say “You’re wrong and here’s why”

[@AnthonyBrown-xd2lw]

ESPN thumbnails are hilarious 😂 I

[@Only2GendersCommonSense]

Why not incorporate load management into all jobs across America.

[@BrianLockett]

Corporate America: "Well, okay--" **introduce more AI/robots to replace our jobs**

[@NoobGamer-mh4gj]

Corporate america would love that actually. Less full time workers means less compensation and coverage. Less payment to employees too

[@crdish11]

Load management=holidays

[@marxeloworld5837]

Max Came Out Da Gate Ready( Your Wrong)😂😂🤣

[@jayphilly1703]

And he end up being wrong too.

[@arminpurificacion9147]

Max: "...you take the average unit per minute, energy expended..." Stephen A: 🤨

[@jugroopshergill953]

Max: It don’t matter if Kawhi takes the whole year off and the lakers win the championship because he still beat them opening night

[@RIQ2Turnt]

Jugroop Shergill 😂😂

[@albertdb3]

Steven A’s got this one. NBA was way harder in 80’s and 90’s

[@KingofPirates92]

What is so hard about hand checking????

[@Jboooog18]

THEY SCORED MORE POINTS IN THE 80S! TEAMS WERE RELIGIOUSLY RUNNING UP THE SCORE, STOP GROUPING IN A CLOTHESLINE WITH "GOOD DEFENSE"

[@ericksantos4555]

It was more physical. Not necessarily harder.

[@disabled4206]

You know its a good video when Stephen A Smith is involved in a heated arguement

[@theokingshango]

For the haters and sickheads at least...

[@Johnny-hn9ts]

A fake argument...

[@Whitetooth1030]

max: "Teams have to play more defense now days" Games last night: 140 points

[@arod927-01]

No score went that high last night.

[@brycebrooks8484]

Just look at literally any rockets game

[@anthonymalcolmcalan]

Malcolm Elmore this is such a lazy analysis. He didn’t say they’re better at defense, he said they have to play more of it. Which completely makes sense considering that it’s harder to play defense now than in the day. You can’t hand check, you can’t be physical, and you gotta hover them like a ghost while only touching the ball. Also the pace of play has players running more miles than ever before. Players have a much larger load more than back in the day

[@brandonlockhart5461]

Right......

[@Jdotbdots]

There are more high level scorers now than ever before.

[@japindersidhu7557]

Max is right about defensive intensity now days you cant be physical and the games is faster so have exert more energy finding was to stop a player with out fouling then pushing them and hand checking.

[@bonafidesagG88]

That really just equals them not playing defense at all..there's only maybe 10 good defensive players in the league or should I say that play defense.

[@elijahr0ck730]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jbj6495]

Max and Stephen A look like they are going to star in a Men In Black reboot.

[@SoulsDark321]

I mean they pay you millions to ball so go ball 🤷‍♂️ unless you're hurt I don't see why you wouldn't play especially when these guys are supposedly the most competitive guys in the world.

[@chrismathgenius]

Exactly. Players should lose money if they don't play.

[@samuelyoung2671]

Nez Boi True dat... Be a real competitor. ur hurt, sit till ur healthy ur old, play fewer minutes. How u could decide a game vs the league mvp isnt impotant enough for u to show up is beyond me.

[@ajdaking507]

@@samuelyoung2671 well considering that kawaii is a 2 time champ, 2 time defensive player of the year, and is clearly better than the Greek freak, it probably isn't really that important to him, and it wouldn't be to me either

[@brad7566]

Max: "You're wrong" Stephen A: "Well you're wrong and here's why"

[@chrisrobinson8339]

Lol

[@t99155]

Max must've got some edibles from Dion before this segment

[@nickvalentin9909]

Trey Moore LOL

[@t99155]

@@nickvalentin9909 haha

[@2000dpdpdp]

but he’s not wrong

[@2000dpdpdp]

hahahahaha

[@marquezbishop2747]

Nah Max makes a lot of sense

[@CouchCit]

One thing I wanna point out: Throughout all these talks of load management I haven't heard them touch on the topic of playoff teams mostly choosing to play only 7-8 players from their full roster, on repeat, throughout their entire playoffs. The league doesn't have a problem with that, just like they don't have a problem with the current length of the NBA season....oh but they got a problem if a player says they don't feel well enough to play back2back2back games?!? They can't have it both ways...more exciting NBA games with higher scores = more stress on the star players. Something has to give...

[@MultiCardsfan1]

Kobe’s stance on load management is the best.

[@Shadow-nj6cr]

What was his stance?

[@Reupinaf]

Lakers in 5 WCF

[@stephcurry9524]

Kobe was carried by Shaq. Better hope he's not complaining about load management

[@jay_1212]

Steph Curry they needed each other equally. Shaq even admitted that he slacked off because he had kobe

[@InfamyTrip]

Steph Curry It’s stupid to put one over the other.

[@grillbillyenz]

2:50 thru 4:05 might be THEE single greatest segment in the history of ESPN television

[@abhimanyuyadav3831]

SAS one of those dudes who blindly believe that anything & everything related to “old school” basketball is greater than that of today’s basketball.

[@psd.3144]

Well... he's not wrong here though

[@abhimanyuyadav3831]

Al Vinn I agree with max, players on average expend more energy every play and that could very well be the reason behind the increase in number of injuries.

[@kobeforever-hokage5471]

Abhimanyu Yadav Cuz old school is way better than today’s basketball

[@zombiehashi3762]

@@abhimanyuyadav3831 It was just a far more physical game if you were around to actually watch it. No room for load management back then. Players need more cardio today though.

[@HTTC4life1981]

Sas was right tho u can't even hand check

[@carloregalado7751]

Man, Stephen A. doesn't look like he's in great shape. ESPN is killing him.

[@3129021jc]

My boi rich af though

[@BrolicCityFitness]

@@3129021jc 😂😂😂omm

[@cory7416]

Looks fine to me

[@LiquidChamploo]

He wouldn’t have it any other way. I wish I loved my job like that.

[@palebaldguy]

No. It’s the knicks killing him

[@marv1196]

Max has lost his mind. Defense was played with more intensity back in the day when compared to today. Max is being slick by reframing his original statement. Get him!!

[@fdhfghfgrhrrth]

But the game is much faster today and players accumulate a lot more mileage on their legs

[@albertjordangolson410]

Right

[@terrymoore4685]

@@user-gc1wj8tt2p untrue!

[@neilh714]

SAS: " can you imagine me giving a speech to a room full of Maxes."

[@MrKing8050]

That opening sentence has to be more than a coincidence 😂😂😂😂

[@hauvkuabyang7467]

Max: Makes valid points SAS: YOU ARE LYING

[@shoptalkconvo-mak1471]

"Speaking to a room full of Maxs" 😂😂😂😂

[@therearenofactsonlyinterpr3780]

With the way regular season treated by NBA superstars these days, NBA must invent new rules to give incentive in the playoff for the team so that they will play regular season more seriously....such as -5-2 homecourt advantage for conference winner -In the playoff, team with worse regular season record will have the player fouled out after 5 fouls (not 6) -In the playoff, team with better regular season record will get 3 free throws if opponent commit flagrant 2; will have extra time out; have 1 right to recall player ejected during the game (due to fouling out etc.) in each series -and many more...........

[@jamalrahmaan1744]

Max Kellerman sometimes don't know what he's talkin about wow

[@TheKondinho]

his point makes sense on paper. he's basically saying athletes today perform at a higher level (not necessarily more skilful) and so more injuries occur because of it.

[@jojomarso]

He knows exactly what he’s talking about. Pace of play is way higher, lateral quickness and regular quickness are valued much more than they were and the midrange is almost extinct meaning that basketball has become even more of an anaerobic activity resulting in more injuries which presents the need for load management. This statistically and scientifically is proven to be objectively true. I would suggest you may need to listen less to the lazy-even obnoxious-narratives that average fans along with the media will toss around, as often they are very inaccurate positions. I appreciate max because he thinks for himself and in this instance, I definitely believe he was right.

[@JakeRandall]

The “in the nba” part of the title was cut off when I clicked...very disappointed. This wasn’t what I was expecting at all

[@hectorcervantes4025]

Max really said they play harder today 😂

[@33Danso3x]

if you think about it he was lowkey speaking facts

[@antongregory838]

the fast paced game makes todays players run a lot more, but that doesnt compare to the beat down you would receive physically in the slower paced game.

[@funbus7879]

Aww i thought i was the only one who caught max “ your wrong” moment Only to come see comments flooded with it

[@gunner0479]

There has to be a reason players are getting injured more frequently with serious injuries now especially with the advancement of sports science.

[@lukekylestanley4072]

"The unit of energy expenditure is higher per play today than in the 80s and 90s. That's why injuries are more prevalent today and load management is necessary." @6:05 -Max Kellerman. Based on what data and which players???? How do you make a statement like this without validating a source?

[@granola9073]

I’m not agreeing with him but that was a good point injuries happen way more now a days

[@krsi2105]

You can see it with your own eyes whenever you watch an NBA game lol. All 5 positions are expected to be able to switch and close out defensively. Back in the day, you get a big man and you stick him in the paint and he doesn't leave the basket. It takes more energy to close out from the paint to the 3 point line than it does to sit under the rim doesn't it?

[@lukekylestanley4072]

@@krsi2105 I want proof. He is an analytics guy. Your eyes will lie to you about who is a criminal in a lineup or about what you saw, especially comparing 2019 to 39 years ago. That's why statistics and analytics are there. They are better than eyes most of the time. On your other point of NBA players switching defenders, NBA players did switch defenders back in the day. Also more fast breaks were run.The POINT IS ENERGY EXPENDITURE. I saw more energy expenditure from players in the 80s and 90s than today. Let's not even get into how many buses and hours of sleep players in the past did not get versus today or the 2019 medical staff and excellent technology and diets used to keep them in prime condition. I can say I've seen energy expenditure increase from 2012-2018 BUT I WANT proof. He made a statement that requires evidence.

[@lukekylestanley4072]

@@granola9073 that part I definitely agree with.

[@franzisalive3110]

This is the effect of No Nut November Y'all 🤣🤣

[@Steven-wq8tx]

Stephen A smith didn’t even breath Max: You’re wrong 🙂

[@walrus1074]

Breathe*

[@chrisrobinson8339]

Lol

[@lakersyoungcoreareaveragep1639]

The NBA game is much more difficult today than when Jordan played. You couldn't double team him, he was getting the james harden treatment if you go watch his games (every other player was getting whacked in the lane), no zone defense and he played against a bunch of white dudes still, due to racism being a big problem in the NBA at the time still. Even if players take plays off today, it's still a more intense game and it's not even a discussion. 80% of the NBA is black now, meaning bigger and stronger athletes who can play more intense than guys like Steve Kerr

[@sg1678]

Max what were you smoking before this debate???

[@donaldbelmonte2746]

I agree with load management because it prolongs the players career and lessens risks for any injury that might happen. However, they get paid millions of dollars to play, and fans want to see them play. So in my personal opinion, they should give a schedule on when they rest games and the average games they don't play will be deducted in their salary.

[@jonathanturgeon9039]

When MJ needed load management he retired. John Stockton is the epitome of consistency in never missing a game in my mind.

[@maccheesepookamusic2chill224]

Bro mj went and played other sports dooohh those years ...literally he never just stopped playing a whole season just not to maybe the year prior to coming back and being on the wizards

[@therealkick_as_assassin1007]

Max right I feel. It’s not more physical but players are asked to do more having to play 1 thru 5 and be able to defend 1-5, there’s a lot more big men being versatile opposed to back in the 80s,90s and early 2000’s. Back then u didn’t have to worry about the center bringing the ball up the court and shooting a 3

[@juanito4867]

I’m surprised Molly didn’t interrupt them once props to her she’s improving

[@romandavidovich754]

Lol

[@alexmotts]

Jermaine Jones now she only has to do it 10000 more times and she can break even 😂😂😂

[@juanito4867]

alex Motts yessir

[@whocares0692]

L.O.L. She's just there for "eye candy".

[@juanito4867]

frank giuliano practically

[@itsewood7515]

“ Your wrong “😂😂😂 right at the beginning

[@chrisrenshaw8529]

Max clearly doesn’t know what he is talking about when it comes to basketball

[@Noondroid]

Or anything else besides boxing.

[@compacuh6726]

2:54 when they tell me its not butter

[@thegreatone9850]

Load management is part of this new era SOFT AS TISSUE and their making MILLIONS!!!!!....

[@Dec4AllTimeAlways]

Landry Shamet has a grade 2 sprain. He could miss 6-8 weeks. This is why load management helps.

[@CrisJunkie]

I kinda agree that today's game requires more effort and in general, especially good teams, they play harder because of constant movement, and switching, and recovering, more close outs on shooters because they are everywhere. It's only easy when you go against a iso-heavy team. Then rest of the defenders on the court mostly stand and wait for action.

[@Tito_2202]

The 90s were much more intense then now. There are rules in play to decrease the intensity of basketball now vs. Then.

[@christianmcmahon1029]

Max hit Stephen A with a “You’re wrong”

[@98alllegend99]

Why dont the Knicks have load management ?

[@eyds2215]

The question here should be "Are NBA players made of wafers and twigs now?"

[@theokingshango]

They have cash, education, ganja, brain, self care now, not your slaves anymore

[@strifej1333]

They worth too much to risk now.

[@eyds2215]

Who's saying they are slaves? So everyone who is working for someone is a slave?

[@yorknorthyorkeastyorketobi741]

Yes they are. The young players coming in are not even dedicated to basketball. They want to be social media influencers

[@eyds2215]

Then they are in the wrong business.

[@logicaldude3611]

If you go back and look how many games and minutes guys used to play in their mid-late 30s, it makes me want to believe this "load management" stuff is just guys not being as mentally and physically tough as they used to be. MJ was 40 years old and played all 82 games at 37 min per game. At around the same age, Kareem was still playing 30 min a game and almost every game. Magic Johnson came back for nearly half a season at 36 years old with HIV and played 30 min a game. John Stockton was still playing around 30 min a game at 40 years old, he didn't stop playing under 35 a game until he was 35 years old. NBA has stars now in the prime of their careers playing like 33 min a game, sitting out games, it just doesn't make sense to me.

[@pureseduction93ce38]

Kawhi isn’t A TOP 5 player in the NBA 💯 ....... *Kawhi is aka MR Load Management* Curry never did load management ❕ Westbrook never did load management ❕ KD never did load management ❕ Harden never did load management ❕ AD never did load management ❕ & everybody know How many Mins “KinG James” played in his career 💪💪💪

[@daswolio3204]

you’re the reason why people think girls don’t know sports

[@rodwells8577]

Carolina Howard actually the term was invented last season with Lebron boo boo

[@ishwarbalakrishna9047]

Lol

[@Shadow-nj6cr]

Westbrook has missed games this season for rest lol what you mean ?

[@jlnuen]

RESERVES kawhi has been top 5 since 2016 or 2017 not 2014

[@Christian900]

They both make amazing points

[@NoName-cn3cp]

Imagine Bill Cartwright trying to stick any PG in today's NBA.

[@marshallpo6414]

Players in the past played harder, but today's game is faster so players expend more energy and there is more wear and tear and burnout in today's game.

[@seanzadsalamat5167]

This guy max said “players today play harder than players in 80’s and 90’s”

[@eddydede4275]

Sean Zadsalamat bro like they played football basketball back then and he saying they play harder today 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@demodiums7216]

They actually do because they have to run around more to defend the 3. Its less physical but you need way better cardio and stamina

[@PDot-dx9ym]

@@demodiums7216 lol stop it

[@justinr1513]

More talented, but less physical than back then

[@bigty390]

P. Dot he’s not lying the game is more speed

[@mdlbackup]

By their faces on the thumbnail I can tell which side which of them are on 😂😂😂😂

[@bitcoingang9743]

max crushed stephen a again

[@BWalker9313]

If load management is consistently presented in the NBA then it has to affect player salaries. Players can’t get the “super-max” or a max contract if they don’t meet certain criteria (all nba teams, DPOY, and other statistics) if players are constantly going to only be able to play 60 games a season then they shouldn’t be able to sign for $230 million dollars. That’s fair. If you consistently play 75+ games every season then you should get the max. If you’re a guy like Kawhi, Blake, AD, Conley and over the past 5 years you’ve played less then 70 games every season, then you have to take a pay cut. Simple as that. That will make players want to take less time because it effects them financially

[@nu-punkrants1551]

Max DESTROYED Stephen A. Analytically, max is so right

[@elmono6247]

The content on first take keeps getting better and better.

[@lordbertron8037]

Max is pouring straight facts.. if you look at the style of play in the 80’s and 90’s the majority of players didn’t play defense and played 1 role.

[@belak1551]

Bertron Lord lol no. Way more physical, they drank alcohol at the half of game, didn’t know anything about nutrition, and still didn’t age games off.

[@HTTC4life1981]

So watching Harden while standing at the 3 point line takes real guts to defend LOL

[@lordbertron8037]

Httrs 4life what does guts have to do with anything? and yes, guarding someone who is averaging 38 points does take guts to guard lol dude is going down in the hall of fame as one of the best scorers ever

[@lordbertron8037]

Belak the ONLY thing you can say is the gameplay used to be more physical sir belak lol....and because people didn’t know about nutrition and they played all the time is exactly why the majority of players didn’t have long nba careers.

[@yupadej4361]

The game is stretched to the 3 point line and increased space to be defended so defenses need to cover more area . Hence players expend more energy. In the past you could sag off most of the players and pack the paint without moving cause most guys could'nt shoot a lick

[@Ohtani9999]

Pace is quicker, cover more ground, more possessions. Stephen A was so wrong

[@22chad7]

Max logic makes no sense .... it’s not just about fans not getting their money worth, it’s about Kawhi being able to play 60 while everyone else plays more, then of course he’s gonna be at an advantage when the playoffs come... any other star sits 60 they’re level in playoffs is gonna he higher, it’s just not fair for the other players who don’t get to load manage, that’s the main problem

[@josefrancisco4178]

Kawhi played through an injury since the Sixers' series, how was he at an advantage? He was playing through an ankle injury when the zaza incident happened too, he's never had an advantage because of load management

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

@@josefrancisco4178 He load managed during the whole regular season last year, you just didn't see it unless you were a Raptors fan because ESPN doesn't care about the Raptors.

[@josefrancisco4178]

@@andreialexandruparfeni7129 I didn't deny his load management, that had plenty of coverage last year, I'm saying in the end it doesn't give you an adavantage because injuries happen in the playoffs too, and nobody is at a 100% by the 3rd round anyway. I'm a warriors fan, and we were never at a disadvantage because of Kawhi's load management, we were because of our own injuries, that had nothing to with lack of rest, Klay's ACL was because of bad landing and KD rushed back from an injury. It's fine for kawhi to rest if he doesn't feel at 100%, nobody knows his body better than himself.

[@YoungShadTv]

It is much harder to play defense in this era compared to other eras due to the rule changes

[@Vsmug]

I can’t max just said the defense is more intense than it’s ever been smh

[@Vsmug]

Ghost2000 that’s just simply not true look at the average scores of teams this era compared to the 90s

[@WhelmedButReady]

How are they playing more intense defense when it's literally a compliment in today's game to say that a player plays BOTH ENDS OF COURT!!!!

[@567BubbaGump]

Max knows what he's talking about, he's a pro at managing a load.

[@dimizoe777]

They're asked to do more but they get paid 50 times more though. So what?

[@cliffordthebigreddawg8088]

Max: You're wrong Steven A: No you're wrong and here's why

[@MondoBetterr]

“Id I don’t know what imma do🤷🏽‍♂️” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dsav7548]

I feel the tension 👀 skip otw back

[@LordArrack1]

2:13 You're wrong and here's Cal Ripken Jr.

[@skip1837]

Giannis doesn't do load management why is his picture up there

[@JohnSmith-wh2ob]

skip1837 cuz he’s a star today

[@internet2055]

@@JohnSmith-wh2ob ask you lady who was a star for her last night 2am😎

[@Horfenico]

Don't see hockey players on load management(other than goalies), much more physical game, yet the seasons are the same length. Weird.