“This S**t Was Getting Out of Control”: LeBron James’ Ex-Teammate Chimes In on Adam Silver’s New Rule on Load Management

The new rule on load management has unsettled the NBA world. The Adam Silver-led organisation released a policy slamming load management as a reason to miss out games. While several players fear an age-old practice being wiped out of existence, LeBron James‘ former teammate seems elated about the update.

Over the years, several stars of the league have sat out regular season games citing load management. Injuries may have played a major role in their decision but this age-old reason has also chimed in. Now, Silver’s new rule may get a lot of players distressed. But the King’s former teammate opines that this policy serves the players right.

LeBron James’ ex-teammate endorses new rule

Adam Silver and the NBA’s new policy has set-forth principles of resting “star” players during games. While players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul get an exception for one specific reason, other NBA stars face the harsh penalties of this policy. Although The King is an outlier, his Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, Richard Jefferson had his say about the all-new rule.

Jefferson retired from the sport of basketball over 5 years ago. Since then, he has taken up the role of analyzing the sport and has already emerged as a famed personality in the industry. Now, the 43-year-old has maintained his reputation, giving his opinion on Silver’s new policy.

“This s**t was getting out of control,” said Jefferson. “That’s why I’m saying I respect…you had to deal with certain injuries that are like, ‘hey, you can’t go over usage’….but when you’re talking about, like people with thumb injuries, people just taking rest days…”

He went on to slam young NBA talents taking rest, saying, “It was guys in their 20s taking rest days and their team was 5 games below .500, it’s like come on. It was out of control.” 

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Jefferson brutally criticized stars taking rest days to recover from minor injuries. However, the practice of citing “load management” as a reason to miss out games will not be spared under the new rule. Given this shocking policy update, who are the players that may face the wrath of it the most?

NBA’s biggest stars face grave danger

NBA’s all-new policy has a lot of players fearing a harsh penalty. Although players cannot wait to get on the court, the grueling NBA season forces several incidents that may prompt the players to opt out of games. However, the policy has now banished this option that the players enjoyed previously. Given the strict penalties of the rule, who would take the biggest hit?

The Los Angeles Clippers duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George seem like tough contenders to face the wrath of the policy. The two stars have played together for over 4 seasons but have only appeared in 138 games together. Although this has a lot to do with perilous injuries, load management post injuries has also played a major role.

Furthermore, Los Angeles Lakers forward, Anthony Davis too, may have to curb his ways to avoid the penalties. Charlotte Hornets‘ LaMelo Ball too, is one such star who has faced severe injuries but will now be deprived of the privilege of taking extra games to recover.

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Apart from these superstars, Adam Silver’s new policy has put a lot of other players in danger. It has the potential to enhance the fans’ experience to watch their favorite stars in action for longer periods. And this may have served as a reason for Richard Jefferson to make his claims about the update.