The NBA contends that their studies no longer support the notion that strategically resting players avoids injuries.
“Before, it was a given conclusion that the data showed that you had to rest players a certain amount, and that justified them sitting out,” said Joe Dumars.
“We’ve gotten more data, and it just doesn’t show that resting, sitting guys out correlates with lack of injuries, or fatigue, or anything like that,” Dumars said. “What it does show is maybe guys aren’t as efficient on the second night of a back-to-back.”
Dumars added that the “culture” in the NBA should be that “every player should want to play 82 games,”
“Obviously everybody’s not going to play 82 games, but everyone should want to play 82 games. And that’s the culture that we are trying to reestablish right now,” he said.
The NBA is hoping to reverse the trend of load management by enacting the player participation policy. The changes come at a time when the league’s television deals with ESPN and Turner expire after the 24-25 season and was worth $24 billion over nine years.
“All of this matters — the reaction to the fans, players, your TV (and) broadcast partners,” Dumars said.
