Is load management a function of modern-day softness/comforts, or something else?

[3ball]

The 80's were more physical and played a faster pace with more possessions, yet there was no "load management"

But they also rode coach on commercial planes and made a fraction of real dollars that today's player makes

In short, they were tougher, just like the eras before them

Humans simply get softer as time goes on and quality of life/modern comforts increase..

They used to just chop off people's heads or stone them, now we give guys a nice cocktail of drugs to put them to sleep

Okay, there's tons of problems with that last statement (i.e. some countries still stone people to death), but you get my point

[Vino24]

MJ pioneered load management. Took two years off in his prime

[3ball]

MJ pioneered load management. Took two years off in his prime

Only after he'd accomplished the greatest feat in 3-pointer basketball (3-peat), and become goat... so not a good example

Today's players have load management without having done anything

Of course, MJ's baseball stint wasn't load management - his dad got murdered and that's a tough loss to take for a goat that isn't used to losing.. it's like somebody said "f*ck your 3-peat goat bs - take that mf'er - ur dad's dead"..

hard to get motivated after that

[NBAGOAT]

That’s why guys in the 80s have worse longevity. Imagine the extra years bird would have playing less minutes with some rested games. It comes from the teams usually, healthy guys want to play as much as possible

Along with sports science just being more of a thing now where doctors know exactly how many steps is enough to increase the risk of leg injuries, you can blame pop who’s the forefather. Teams are going copy him when they see two stars he coached contributing well in their late 30s

[RealSkipBayless]

All these terms of load management and player empowerment are embarrassing.

They can try to cover it up. Reality is that this era is full of softness and collusion which drastically lower the value of the rings.

[TheCorporation]

MJ pioneered load management. Took two years off in his prime

[ImKobe]

[QUOTE=NBAGOAT]That

[KobesFinger]

Only after he'd accomplished the greatest feat in 3-pointer basketball (3-peat), and become goat... so not a good example

Today's players have load management without having done anything

Of course, MJ's baseball stint wasn't load management - his dad got murdered and that's a tough loss to take for a goat that isn't used to losing.. it's like somebody said "f*ck your 3-peat goat bs - take that mf'er - ur dad's dead"..

hard to get motivated after that

Do you have a specific example of a player?

[chains5000]

Load management is smart, only downside is fans not being able to watch every player on every regular season game.

[Wally450]

Only after he'd accomplished the greatest feat in 3-pointer basketball (3-peat), and become goat... so not a good example

Today's players have load management without having done anything

Of course, MJ's baseball stint wasn't load management - his dad got murdered and that's a tough loss to take for a goat that isn't used to losing.. it's like somebody said "f*ck your 3-peat goat bs - take that mf'er - ur dad's dead"..

hard to get motivated after that

LeBron made 8 straight Finals and you bash him for not making the damn playoffs. He still had motivation to at least play. Not like Jordan who had his dad killed and retired to hide him being suspended.

But but 3 peat...

[Bronbron23]

The 80's were more physical and played a faster pace with more possessions, yet there was no "load management"

But they also rode coach on commercial planes and made a fraction of real dollars that today's player makes

In short, they were tougher, just like the eras before them

Humans simply get softer as time goes on and quality of life/modern comforts increase..

They used to just chop off people's heads or stone them, now we give guys a nice cocktail of drugs to put them to sleep

Okay, there's tons of problems with that last statement (i.e. some countries still stone people to death), but you get my point

I think it's more that players are trying to prolong there careers. Yeah the 80's were more physical and guys played all 82 but it seemed like there longevity suffered as a result. Players are smarter now and look at it from more of a business aspect. The longer they can play at a high level the longer they can get Max or big contracts. Sure it's kinda soft but I can't say I blame them.

[bullettooth]

LeBrons been in the league for 16 years. He's played a full 82 game season ONCE.

There's your load management.

[Prometheus]

AAU

[warriorfan]

Load management is a byproduct of modern day intelligence. Play your players as little as possible without endangering your playoff seed to mitigate the chances of them getting injured or run down. MJ’s case was a little different, he took major load management after killing his father.

[Marchesk]

Reminder that Wilt played 45.8 minutes a game for his career.