Warriors Legend Could Force Adam Silver From Making Major NBA Change After Stephen Curry Letdown

The NBA just seems ill-fated at this point. Worldwide soccer leagues never have more than 50+ games in a season. Even the NFL- only 17 games over an 18-week period. But the NBA? A gruelling, 82-game schedule that extends from October to April. And I’m not even counting the bucket load of post-season games. So, what’s the situation? Will there be a change? Does Adam Silver think the constant cries of help from fans and players alike are justifiable enough?

The commish did something extraordinary recently- he joined the Numbers on The Board podcast to reach the niche ultras. Not the ESPNs or the TNTs- this was his way of catering to the most passionate fans. The obvious question of the gruelling season did come up- what does he think of the season’s schedule? Is there a chance of a change?

Well, the most important thing for Silver is tradition. You can’t mess up historical numbers. “I think tradition is very important. You do have to change with the times. And that’s been my approach to most things here, which is nothing is off the table.” But historical records can never trump the sustainability of a human being’s limits. If there is a cause for change, that has to be done irrespective of records or traditions. When touched on this topic, Adam Silver was the first to talk about it’s importance. And his stance is clear- if data speaks on injuries getting better due to fewer games, then the players will get what they want.

“So I certainly worry about injuries. I think that’s my biggest concern. And I think if there was better data or there was data that suggested that 82 games as opposed to 72 games causes more injuries. I think we would be thinking more seriously about a change,” said Silver. But as a commissioner, you never know the players’ perspective. He isn’t a player himself. So, how will he make the right decision- the choice that will see out heroes benefit the most? Well, Silver has revealed that Warriors legend Andre Iguodala has a big part to play in those decisions.

“I think one, and Andre Iguodala, know, former champion and all-star and now executive director of the Players Association, he makes the point that part of winning in this league is, back that perseverance I mentioned, but it’s that ability to play 82 games… There is an endurance aspect to being successful in this league. And in terms of working through an 82 game season and working out the kinks in your team and developing as the season goes on,” said the commish on the Warriors legend’s involvement. But there’s one aspect of the season that’s been dwindling down for years- the All-Star game.

Back when the stars coming together justified a couple of extra games played for the fun of it, the event had meaning. But now? No one cares. And the changes brought to it were also as meaningless, says Silver, despite Stephen Curry’s best warnings.

Adam Silver agrees to changes made to All-Star game schedule being ‘a miss’

“I thought this was a little better, but it was a miss. We’re not there in terms of creating an All-Star experience that we can be proud of, that our players can be proud of,” said Silver on the changes to the format. The issue is- we all knew this. This is just a reprieve. For years, fans and players alike have been going on and on about changes needed to the tanking event. And one of them is Bay Area legend Stephen Curry.

“I did have some input and a lot of conversations with Adam [Silver] and the rest of the leadership on where we were last year. We needed to change, needed some new life, new juice in the game, something kind of unexpected.” But it seemed like the change of venue from Los Angeles to San Fran provided little to no aid in the situation.

Well, that’s what happens when you don’t take notes of one of the greats. Steph’s been vocal of a change to the demanding nature of the season too. Let’s hope that those inputs, put together with those of Andre Iguodala, bring some sort of change from Adam Silver’s side.