There has always been plenty debates about the scheduling in basketball. Many argue that the scheduling needs a change. Others state that the scheduling is fine. The main issue with the current scheduling is when players are getting rest. Back-to-back games are causing coaches to rest star athletes. It has caused some concern from the NBA. Lately, many notable names associated with the NBA have been vocalizing their thoughts on the subject.
Doc Rivers, the head coach of the LA Clippers, is just one of many who are making their opinions heard. In a recent game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Doc Rivers’ team saw a plus to having star players getting rested. The Cavs rested LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love that game. The Clippers easily toppled the Cleveland backups. Even though his team won, Doc Rivers was critical of the NBA scheduling that caused the Cavs to feel the need to rest their stars.
In a report from ESPN.com, Rivers made it clear that he wasn’t upset with the Cleveland coaching staff. However, he was critical of the NBA scheduling a team to play back-to-back nationally broadcasted games. In that same report, Rivers mentioned the true victim of the current NBA scheduling: the fans.
When a team has to play on national TV for two days in a row, the fans ultimately suffer. Coaches and team medical staffs will want to ensure the players aren’t getting overworked. If that means sitting a player or limiting minutes, then so be it. They don’t care if it’s on TV across the country. They are there to ensure the safety and health of their players.
But when the fans want to watch LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love, they get upset when those marquee players are riding the bench. It really stinks for the fans that actually take the time to buy tickets to the game, pay for parking, and hit up the concession stands. Could you imagine their reaction when they finally get to their seats? What about the little kids that were probably pumped to see their favorite player?
Karl Malone, a former player and two-time NBA MVP, has essentially told players to suck it up. He is among several other people who are tired of seeing NBA stars getting rested.
Malone reportedly told ESPN’s Sage Steele “If you don’t have at least 10 years experience, get your ass playing. It’s not work, it’s called playing. Besides, tell our underpaid service members and police and first responders to rest. Dammit, they can’t.”
The NBA has often times told teams that the association isn’t happy when they sit their stars. While I can understand that the NBA wants to display a certain quality of their product, they are hurting themselves. Spread out the schedule and cut out back-to-back nationally televised games. That’s a start to making both sides of this argument happy.
*This content originally featured on awesomesportslogos.com