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NBA rumors: Resting rules coming and their impact on the league

By Tyler Watts

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2016 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2016 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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USA Today Sports reports that the NBA owners plan on approving resting rules at their September meeting.  This article takes a look at the impact of the proposed rule on the league.

If you have followed the NBA in recent seasons, you know that Commissioner Adam Silver has taken issue with players resting when healthy especially in the marquee or nationally televised games.  Well, the league plans to take that one step further by implementing rules against resting healthy players at their September owner’s meeting according to USA Today Sports.  The change is a groundbreaking development, and the NBA will be the first of the four major professional American sports to have such a rule.  I will save my comments for the specifics of the rule for when it has officially gone into place, but I would like to discuss the impact this could have.

Impact

The league has taken strides to eliminate four games in five-night stretches and back-to-back in recent seasons because it knows the rigors of its 82 game slate.  The problem with implementing a resting rule is the league is not addressing the actual issue.

The real issue is there are too many games for player’s bodies to handle.  The star athletes are playing 35 minutes a night and even seeing action in just 80 games means 2,800 minutes of running up and down a hardwood court.  That takes a toll on your body especially your lower extremities.  Instead of lessening the games which would cost the owners money, they want the players to play more games and more minutes.

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I honestly believe this rule could lead to more injuries league-wide.  Before, the player or coach could deem a player not fit to play and rest them, but now without a specific injury that will not be allowed.

Of course, the team could always counteract this by making up an injury.  Let us face it, many of the players are suffering nagging injuries for the majority of the season anyway.

League’s stance

The NBA’s position is that resting players hurts the league and its business partners.  I understand the logic.  No fan wants to go to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ game only to find out LeBron James is resting as they are settling into their seat in Quicken Loans Arena.  In the same breathe, if LeBron plays and has a significant injury that night is that good for the game?  Now instead of missing one night of action, he misses weeks.  That cannot be good for business.

I get where both sides are coming from on this issue, and perhaps I am wrong in my assumption that players are at a greater risk if they play in all 82 games.  It will be interesting to see how this rule reads and what impact it has on the upcoming season.

Final Thoughts

The NBA plans to implement a rule against resting healthy players at next month’s Board of Governors Meeting.  Although I do not agree with the rule, I understand the league’s stance on this issue.  I think the new law could have negative impacts on the season and game itself, but I will reserve my full judgment until after I can read the entire rule.  Perhaps, it will just be a fine for each team, and in that case, I am fine with it.  I think the San Antonio Spurs will have no issue paying up if Coach Pop wants to rest Kawhi Leonard or Pau Gasol.

We are just weeks away from the meeting and final announcement of the change, so stay tuned for more information.  Once the rule is in place, I will give my full thoughts and more information on what impacts it could have.

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