Before last season, Adam Silver and Joe Dumars worked together to foster a healthy NBA culture. “Every player should want to play 82 games,” the Pistons legend said when introducing the new Player’s Participation Policy. Through it, teams can receive penalties for ‘intentionally’ resting their stars for certain games. This final tally has an impact on awards and honors. But understandably, relaxation is allowed for veterans who have done their due diligence, the likes of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant jumping out.

Lakers legend, Derek Fisher, wants them to reap the full benefits of the facility. He initially compared the concept of load management to the advancement in car services from the old days to the modern age. Better facilities and information allow greater insight into a player. And he feels using it should be encouraged as it is beneficial to both the long-standing icons as well as the fans.

“It might be smart for us to back off a little bit so that Byron can play 15 years, not 12 years. Because if I’m going to invest millions of dollars into Byron, it would be nice if he could play for 15 years, not 12 years… My hope is that at the end of the day, if we get a chance to watch Steph Curry play for another 3 or four years because he had a few nights off, I’m on board with that,” Fisher explained.

“If we get to see Kevin Durant for another three or four years, because maybe he should’ve taken some nights off, that would’ve prevented the Achilles rupture that would not have taken two years of KD’s career away,” Fisher explained. However, it doesn’t mean recklessly giving breaks. They feel it should be supported by “factual information.”

“If Kevin Durant wants to play, the question is, should he be allowed to play because he wants to play, not because you’re telling him he can’t play,” Derrick Fisher explained on Byron Scott’s Fast Break.

In the case of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, both of them are celebrated legends. Now at the twilight of their career, physically, there is substantial wear and tear. Going up and down the floor isn’t as easy for them as it was in their youth. Under the new policy, they are allowed to sit back-to-backs with prior notice. So why not utilize it?

Not only will it help them rest but also elevate the product for the fans. In full throttle, both the Slim Reaper and Steph Curry can go ham on any day. They are still reigning in their positions, a testament to their longevity. As impressive as that is, it is vital to understand the toll it takes on them to continue playing at an elite level over a decade since making their debut.

More than an opportunity, teams should keep it in mind for their postseason health too. They are still decisive components who can turn games on their own. If Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry can ensure they can do it longer, it should be a no-brainer.

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have seen the worst of injuries

At the pinnacle, neither the Chef nor KD looked for the chance to rest. The desire to play was evident. However, their mentality has cost them heavily in the past. Stephen Curry dealt with a myriad of ankle injuries before he became a giant of the game. Despite those injuries, he fought back to become the greatest shooter of all time. Kevin Durant’s case came in 2019. During the NBA Finals against the Raptors, he made a controversial return, having suffered from a calf strain for over a month. Within minutes of entering the game, he tore his ACL, taking two years from what was the heart of his prime.

If not through the policy, such history should be taken into consideration by team officials. Out of all, LeBron James sits as an exemption. But with a tremendous workload, even he went through spells of injuries over the past four seasons.

At this point, their priority is preservation. Players such as KD, Steph Curry, King James, and Chris Paul are savants. The fact that they have lasted for such a long time in peak conditions is astonishing. It’s even bigger when they have maintained their playing standards consistently. If rest and proper recovery can allow them to elongate not just their passion but also give fans more of them, it’s something they deserve.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.