Michael Jordan Criticizes Load Management, Urges Players to Play

Michael Jordan, the six-time NBA champion, on Tuesday criticized the growing practice of load management in professional basketball, saying players should not skip games if they are physically able and that they owe it to fans to play. Speaking in a televised interview, Jordan said resting for the sake of rest "shouldn't be needed, first and foremost" and reiterated that playing when healthy is part of a player's duty to the people who buy tickets and travel to road games.

Jordan framed his view around two themes: responsibility to fans and personal toughness. He said he did not want to miss games because they were opportunities to prove himself to fans, including those who traveled to see him or who vocally rooted against him. "You have a duty that if they're wanting to see you, and as an entertainer, I want to show," he said. He added that if a player is genuinely injured, resting is appropriate: "Now physically, if I can't do it, then I can't do it." He cited episodes from his own career, including playing through a sprained ankle early on and what is commonly known as the 1997 "Flu Game," in which he scored 38 points despite illness to help the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals.