(Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
Over the summer, the NBA instituted a new rule that said players had to participate in 65 games if they wanted to win end-of-season awards like MVP, Sixth Man of the Year, and more.
While that has led to fewer absences for some of the league’s biggest stars, it has also created a massive controversy among players.
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets shared his opinion on it with “Ball Don’t Lie” and he is firmly against the new rule.
“I just don’t like how it forces players to play, even if they’re injured, if they want to achieve something,” the reigning Finals MVP said.
“I just don’t like how it forces players to play, even if they’re injured, if they want to achieve something.”
NBA players shared their opinions on the league’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility pic.twitter.com/n8mEoqOgBZ
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) February 22, 2024
Jokic isn’t alone; a few NBA players have spoken out against this rule and feel that it’s unfair and forces athletes to participate in games even when they are legitimately hurt and trying to heal.
Ironically, this rule may lead to Jokic winning his third MVP trophy.
For much of the season, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers seemed like he was going to win his second MVP but a string of nasty injuries have sidelined him and now he will miss the 65-game mark.
That means that Jokic, originally thought of as runner-up, has a very good chance of being the league’s Most Valuable Player again.
Despite that, Jokic still doesn’t agree with the rule.
The backlash that this rule has received from players is quite jarring and it has some people wondering if perhaps the NBA will revise it in the summer.
It is rare for players to be so outspoken against the league and the conversation about the rule won’t die down.
The NBA is attempting to limit unnecessary load management, which is seen as very unfair to paying fans who want to see their favorite stars play.
This was their attempt at addressing that problem but Jokic and others believe that they went too far.
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