Kyrie Irving believes the narrative around load management needs to change, says it has “dehumanized” NBA athletes
Kyrie Irving weighed in on the term "load management" and how the narrative around it impacts NBA players.
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Kyrie Irving (Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports)
The issue of load management has become a hot issue in recent years. It is essentially a tactic employed by NBA teams to reduce their players’ physical workload to prevent injuries and improve their long-term effectiveness. Due to concerns about its impact on the quality of the game, the fans’ experience, and the competitive balance of the league, it’s not popular in the basketball world. Interestingly, ahead of the NBA All-Star game 2023, Kyrie Irving offered his thoughts on the widely criticized term.
The crafty point guard argued that the term “load management” has gone completely haywire. “I don’t know who created the term ‘load management’ or guys sitting out games or this narrative that continues to play on about star players or guys not being available. I don’t know who started the narrative, but it’s completely run amok,” the Dallas Mavericks star said.
Irving further said that it has “dehumanized” NBA players who have been affiliated with it. He said that the commonly used term diminishes the daily hard work that goes into an average player’s routine. “I think it’s dehumanized some of us in terms of just the way we prepare ourselves day-to-day,” Irving said. “This is a 24/7 job. We have cameras on us all the time. It’s a high-level, combative sport. It’s very aggressive.”
The NBA has certainly taken steps to address the load management issue. They have implemented rules requiring teams to provide advance notice if a player will be rested and by imposing fines on teams that violate these rules. However, the issue remains contentious. Furthermore, it is likely that there will continue to be debate over the proper balance between player health and competitive balance in the league.
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Kyrie Irving wants the narrative around load management to be changed
Dallas Mavericks newest addition, Kyrie Irving, is clearly dissatisfied with the load management narrative. In fact, it has to change, according to him, since he believes it is destructive to players around the league and grossly undersells what they go through during the season.
“I just think the narrative needs to change in terms of load management,” Irving said. “Eighty-two games is a long season. I’m not saying we can’t do it. We’re in 2023. We have all the technology necessary. We have to use it wisely, and we have to be very communicative about what the plan is for everybody individually.”
Moreover, he stated that players take great pride in their work and excelling for their family and fans. Load management tends to portray players as unconcerned about their fans. “So I think the narratives have run amok. But us as players, we really take pride in preparing ourselves at a very high level and performing not only for our families, but for the fans that support us. We’re nothing without our fans,” Irving said.
Ultimately, while load management may be frustrating for fans, it is a decision made by teams and players in the interest of overall team performance and the health of individual players. It does not necessarily indicate that star players do not care about their fans.
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Ritvik Malhotra
(1085 Articles Published)