ESPN’s Dave McMeniman wrote about LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the Cavs stars resting for last Saturday night’s primetime game against the Clippers. You may be aware that the subject of star players resting has caused a lot of conversation with folks in, around, and associated with the game. For their money, Bron and Kyrie believe rest is essential. Bron said:
I don’t think the NBA can do anything about it. At the end of the day, it sucks at times where certain guys have to rest, but certain guys need rest.
By certain guys, Bron is “certainly” referring to himself and other star players who are critical to their team’s long term success. Playing NBA basketball (82 game regular season) is very taxing on the body. Six games in eight nights with back to backs does not lend itself for the highest quality basketball. Think about it. That’s why team’s don’t play back to backs in the playoffs. Kyrie agrees, and said:
I can’t stress enough how important rest is. You’ve got veterans who have come before us who play 82 games that have their opinions and we’re just in a different time now. The smart way of taking care of your body and understanding what the important goal is at the end of the season — it’s at the forefront of our minds. We’re playing for a championship run, playoff run.
Kyrie’s point about past players having issues is one that we shouldn’t gloss over. That is where a lot of the fans ire is derived from. We often hear fans say, “[insert legend name] never rested and played all 82 games!” That may well be true, but what does that have to do with today?
If you are a basketball fan and want to see the best quality of basketball come playoffs (when the league has control of the sports calendar) rest shouldn’t bother you.
Flip the page for video of LeBron talking about players resting.