Michael Jordan Discusses Load Management in the NBA

NBA icon Michael Jordan shared his perspective on load management among players during a conversation on NBC Tuesday night. This discussion was part of NBC’s series “MJ: Insights to Excellence,” which aired during an NBA game.

In his talk with NBC’s Mike Tirico, Jordan reflected on game strategy, stating, “It’s not a necessity first and foremost. I didn’t want to miss the game because it was an opportunity to prove something.” He emphasized his desire to impress fans who invested their time and money to watch him play.

Jordan reminisced about moments when he felt an obligation to entertain fans, even recalling an instance when a spectator yelled at him during a game. “Yeah, I wanted to shut him up… If they want to see you, and as an entertainer, I want to put on a show,” he said. He made it clear that if he wasn’t physically able to play, that was one thing, but if he chose not to, that felt different.

He recounted being told to rest after injuring his ankle early in his career but insisted he needed to be on the floor. There was always this feeling of not wanting to let his teammates down, which presumably is a sentiment many can relate to.

Reflections on Historic Games

Jordan mentioned the famous “flu game” during the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, where he pushed through intense physical discomfort. “I was going to find a way to get out of there… The next thing I knew, the emotions… hit me,” he recalled. This speaks to his intense dedication to the game and his willingness to overcome personal struggles for the team.

He also addressed the idea of load management in a candid way. “I play basketball 2.5 hours a day, 3 hours a day. That’s your job. What do you do the other 21 hours?” he posed, pointing out the importance of preparation and commitment beyond just game time.

Jordan concluded by questioning the essence of load management. To him, it isn’t just physical but also a sense of pride for the fans and maintaining team synergy. “You want to keep that rhythm as a team there all the time. That can disrupt that synergy,” he added, which is an interesting thought considering how teams strive for cohesion throughout a season.

In recent years, the NBA has tried to address the issue of load management more seriously. They’ve implemented contract incentives that require players to participate in a certain number of games to qualify for prestigious awards. This might be a step towards ensuring that fans get to see their favorite players more often, which, I think, resonates with Jordan’s views on accountability to the audience.