The 2023-24 season has differed from its predecessors. It’s the first year the NBA implemented its new 65-game rule. If a player fails to meet that threshold, they are considered ineligible for any league honors. At first glance, it was meant to limit load management and force the superstars of the league to actively participate. Instead, it led to the injury of the most dominant player this season – Joel Embiid. As the All-Stars sat down, they had their opinions about the newly introduced rule, including Nikola Jokic.

And their general consensus around the league was that the only reason Embiid aggravated an already-existent injury was because of the 65-game rule. Instead of promoting stars from playing more often, it burdened injured players to play through some vigorous injuries. Embiid, who never healed from a prior knee injury, suffered the most, pausing his otherwise historic season. His historic season paused. His knee, which worsened after an unfortunate incident against the Warriors drove him to have surgery. There remains no real timeline for his return. On the All-Star media day, several stars vocalized their opinions.

Nikola Jokić and others dismiss 65 game rule

Around the league, most superstars haven’t appreciated this rule change. It has worked far from its planned objective. Instead of prohibiting load management, it is forcing players to play through injury and risking further aggravating their ailments. When asked about it on media day, Nikola Jokić cited Joel Embiid‘s recent injury as a downside of the new rule. He said, “Definitely forcing players to play even if they injured or whatever. We saw what happened to Joel. But it’s something that the league wants to I don’t know. I just don’t like it. It forces players to play even if they are injured if they want to achieve something,” 

He wasn’t alone in critiquing the newest CBA rule. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and Devin Booker were on the same wavelength. “It’s a tough situation. Obviously, we see what happened to Joel. You want to see the best product out there at all times, that’s the point of the league but we want to keep people safe at the same time and it definitely puts people at risk. But it is what it is. The people want to see the players play,” said Book.

Leonard, who has previously been accused of load management since his injury with the San Antonio Spurs, claimed he never really understood the significance of the 65-game rule. “They just trying to get players on the court longer but like I said before I didn’t how the rule was going to make players play if they are injured or vice versa. I don’t know you have to ask the NBA what it was for but they just want everyone to play. It’s a business, it’s a lot into it now. The gambling and things like that. So they want the best players to play,” 

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Because of the rule, the NBA lost one of its biggest attractions for the entire season. Embiid’s 36 points per game will be accounted for nothing at the end of the day. That’s all because of the new rule. While done with the right intentions, it has hurt players more than it has to change the mindset in the NBA.

Are you a fan of the rule? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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