NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is said to have weighed abolishing the NBA draft.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is said to have weighed abolishing the NBA draft.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver did not back down from his controversial rule of NBA players playing a minimum of 65 games to qualify for awards. Issues of “load management” and superstars sitting out games throughout the years led to Silver creating this rule two years ago. Players can only miss 17 games, or they will be disqualified from end of season awards and All-NBA voting.
Cade Cunningham’s lung issue ruling him out for the last few weeks could see him missing the minimum games to upset the NBA Players Association. Silver said the following today to double down on the rule:
“I’m not ready to say it’s not working. It is working… I’m not ready to say because there is a sense of unfairness for one player, that the rule doesn’t work.”
Silver claimed that the rule is working and will improve the betterment of the NBA. Cunningham was named by Silver as one player dealing with unfairness over the rule. Previous comments have indicated the league would look over a specific situation if a player fails to hit 65 games for a specific reason like this. Cunningham could still make the All-NBA team if Silver allows him on the voting ballot.
Why Adam Silver Believes Rule Is Working
Many NBA fans were livid about Silver’s response since the rule is becoming more of an issue than the previous flaws. Fans and players are paying attention to the total games of every MVP candidate. Names like Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama are close to being snubbed if they miss a few more games.
However, Silver believes the rule works to make players as a whole care more. Kawhi Leonard stands out as the best argument from Silver’s side when it comes to players who willingly sit out games most seasons. Load management started with Leonard feeling he should only play a certain number of games for his overall health.
This season shows Leonard playing back-to-backs and not unnecessarily sitting out games due to wanting to qualify for the All-NBA team. Teams will still prioritize players’ health, but there is a new variable to incentivize players to play more games.
Will Adam Silver Change 65 Games Rule?
The NBA Players Association getting involved could enforce some changes this offseason since many players are upset. An arbitrary number like 65 games confuses and upsets players with real injuries getting snubbed for playing 60 to 64 games.
Silver should consider making changes since this is creating a problem with many names in contention for All-NBA status to upset the best players in the league. Only one MVP won the Award playing under 65 games in a full season, so it doesn’t even impact the biggest award that much.
All-NBA selections lead to players having the potential to make more money, so this becomes a financial factor as well. Jalen Duren may make $9 million more per season on his next contract if he gets an All-NBA selection this year. Various players getting snubbed to hurt their finances could lead to too much conflict. Silver will have to change this rule at some point if the All-NBA vote stays included.