Michael Jordan Critiques Modern NBA Load Management
Michael Jordan is not a fan of the NBA’s current trend of players sitting out games for reasons other than injury, often referred to as load management. This was made clear in a recent interview with NBC’s Mike Tirico, where Jordan expressed his strong opinions on the matter.
“Well, first of all, it shouldn’t be necessary,” Jordan stated. He reminisced about how he felt an obligation to play, not just for himself but for the fans who came to see him. “I want to impress the guys at the top who probably worked hard to get the tickets or earn the money to buy the tickets,” he added.
Tirico questioned Jordan about his sense of loyalty, especially when faced with heckling from opposing fans. Jordan responded humorously, saying that he felt compelled to prove the hecklers wrong. “Yeah, ’cause I know he’s probably yelling at me, so I want to shut him up,” he said. “If they want to see you, and as an entertainer, I have an obligation to show, right?”
Unfortunately, many current players disagree with this sentiment. While Jordan stresses an obligation to entertain fans, contemporary athletes often prioritize resting for playoffs or minimizing injury risk. Load management has become a standard practice in the NBA, with players frequently sitting out despite being physically able to participate.
Some critics might argue that Jordan isn’t the best voice against load management since he retired twice during his career. However, other iconic players, like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, typically played in 72 games or more during their early seasons. Johnson, for example, missed only one season with fewer games played in his first dozen years.
Jordan himself played a full 82 games in nine seasons out of his 15-year career, including a full season at age 39. Interestingly, LeBron James has only managed the same feat once in his 22-year career.
Ultimately, whether one believes Jordan is the right advocate for this viewpoint is subjective. What remains clear, though, is that he believes players from his era would play if they were healthy, contrasting sharply with the trends seen today.
