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Anthony Edwards: A Hero For Fans Who Want To See NBA Players Play Every Game
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Anthony Edwards, a rising star in the NBA, has generated headlines for his stance on playing every game in a league where load management has become popular.
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The practice of load management, where players take scheduled days off and sometimes miss games for optimal health and performance, has become a widespread strategy in the NBA.
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The Spurs famously employed load management with an aging core about a decade ago, and other teams have latched onto it since then.
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Rising Wolves star Anthony Edwards gave voice to the reasons why load management can have bad optics, in the company of his star peers over the weekend.
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Edwards stated that he doesn't like all the sitting and missing games stuff and that fans might have enough money to come to one game, and that might be the game they come to, and the player is sitting out.
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Edwards is an anomaly in the modern NBA as he has played all 60 games for the Wolves this season, battling through ailments along the way.
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The gray area between hurt and injured, and particularly the notion of simply resting players to preserve health, is a much more nuanced conversation.
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Fans have thanked Edwards on social media for his attitude and declaration that he will play every game.
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Teams are managing the long-term health of franchise players who might be on nine-figure contracts.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged that load management is a widespread practice, and it's disappointing for fans when a star player misses the game they attend.
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Silver understands the mindset of teams and players who want to optimize performance for the playoffs.
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There's not really an easy answer to the issue of load management, as cutting down the schedule or extending the season could hinder revenue or cut down on the offseason for players.
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The reality of star players randomly sitting out games during the regular season has annoyed not only NBA fans but also Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards.
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Edwards takes pride in trying to play every game and making sure that fans get to see him play, even if it means battling through ailments.
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Load management is a real issue in the NBA and shows no signs of slowing down.
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Fans often don't get to experience the game they expect when superstar players are randomly rested.
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The only rule set in place to get players on the floor involve nationally televised games, and if healthy players sit out these games during the regular season, they will be fined $100,000.