Jordan: Load management should never happen

[ozgod]

NBC shared the latest segment of Mike Tirico's interview series with Michael Jordan called "MJ: Insights to Excellence" last night, and the topic was load management. Here is ESPN's coverage of the segment.

Michael Jordan didn't believe in load management, even when he was violently ill.

Jordan addressed the topic of NBA players missing games in the second installment of a series that NBC is calling "MJ: Insights to Excellence," which aired Tuesday night between games of a doubleheader on the network.

Asked by interviewer Mike Tirico what he thought of the notion of load management, Jordan didn't hold back.

"Well, it shouldn't be needed, first and foremost," Jordan said. "You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his [butt] off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket."

Jordan even said that rule applied to the people who came to games to cheer against him.

"Yeah, because I know he's probably yelling at me and I want to shut him up," Jordan said. "You know, he's calling me all kinds of names. I definitely want to shut him up. ... You have a duty that if they're wanting to see you, and as an entertainer, I want to show. Right?"

Jordan told the story of playing through a sprained ankle early in his career because he wanted to make a name for himself. And many basketball fans -- especially those in Utah -- remember what he did in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.

Jordan says he believes he was dealing with a case of food poisoning on June 11, 1997, the day of Game 5 of that series against the Jazz. He was very sick and bedridden until about 90 minutes before game time, then didn't even bother with a traditional warmup. Commonly called "The Flu Game," Jordan scored 38 points, led Chicago to a win that put the Bulls one win away from the NBA title, then collapsed onto the chest of teammate Scottie Pippen.

"I was going to find a way to get out there, even if I was a decoy," Jordan said. "Well, once I got out there, you never know how -- pushing yourself -- you never know what happens, right? ... Next thing you know, the emotions, the situation, the need of the team. All those things catapulted me to, 'I'm going to gut this thing out.'"

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46765425/michael-jordan-criticizes-load-management-current-nba

[Celtics4ever]

Boy is this a blow to the people who think LeBron is better.   Michael's toughness, will to win and always wanting to prove himself gives him a big edge.

[Jiri Welsch]

Old man yells at cloud!

[Kernewek]

Old man yells at cloud!

Worth keeping in mind here, perhaps, that Jordan averaged 37MPG at the age of 40 for the Wizards. 'Durability is an ability', so on and so forth.

But I think that modern athletes at the top level have put so much more mileage on their bodies playing their specific sport to the near-exclusion of all else that what worked 20+ years ago might not work today.

[Birdman]

Players now get these huge guarantees contracts & they really don?t care bout how much they play unfortunately

[Moranis]

Old man yells at cloud!

Worth keeping in mind here, perhaps, that Jordan averaged 37MPG at the age of 40 for the Wizards. 'Durability is an ability', so on and so forth.

But I think that modern athletes at the top level have put so much more mileage on their bodies playing their specific sport to the near-exclusion of all else that what worked 20+ years ago might not work today.

Jordan also took 4.5 years off in his career and had another season of just 18 games and turned 22 during his rookie year. 

[Phantom255x]

I will say, it's funny how we're a little over a week into the season and every game seems to have big injury lists including some guys "load managing" and others not being put on the report until like 30 minutes before the game. And again, it's only game #5 or 6 for most teams.

Like you can understand Tatum or Haliburton being there because they have major injuries they are rehabbing from, but everyone else? Yeesh

[Celtics4ever]

Jordan played during a much more physical era.  You could hand check.

[Celtics4ever]

Old man yells at cloud!

Young man has his head up his you know what, JK

[keevsnick]

I will say, it's funny how we're a little over a week into the season and every game seems to have big injury lists including some guys "load managing" and others not being put on the report until like 30 minutes before the game. And again, it's only game #5 or 6 for most teams.

Like you can understand Tatum or Haliburton being there because they have major injuries they are rehabbing from, but everyone else? Yeesh

It sort of makes the "NBA plays too many games" thing a little more complicated. If the league is already ravished by injuries just 8 games in, then is the problem "too many games" or is it something else?

[SparzWizard]

I will say, it's funny how we're a little over a week into the season and every game seems to have big injury lists including some guys "load managing" and others not being put on the report until like 30 minutes before the game. And again, it's only game #5 or 6 for most teams.

Like you can understand Tatum or Haliburton being there because they have major injuries they are rehabbing from, but everyone else? Yeesh

It sort of makes the "NBA plays too many games" thing a little more complicated. If the league is already ravished by injuries just 8 games in, then is the problem "too many games" or is it something else?

Too much offense, sprinting down court, fastbreak 3's, poor conditioning lol

Jk

[Neurotic Guy]

MJ's point about being an entertainer and having commitment to those who purchase tickets to see you is pretty valid IMO.  This applies far more to the headliners than the supporting cast.  If I purchased tickets to see Diana Ross and I get there and she's having a load management day, well that's not so great. I didn't buy tickets to see The Supremes - I bought them to see Diana.  For Jordan to have that mindset I think is what you'd want every star to have.  Fans aren't there to see the understudy. Players should be concerned about giving fans what they paid for.  These are highly paid entertainers and they should see themselves in that light. 

[dannyboy35]

  Most players RESENT the fans.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

MJ's point about being an entertainer and having commitment to those who purchase tickets to see you is pretty valid IMO.  This applies far more to the headliners than the supporting cast.  If I purchased tickets to see Diana Ross and I get there and she's having a load management day, well that's not so great. I didn't buy tickets to see The Supremes - I bought them to see Diana.  For Jordan to have that mindset I think is what you'd want every star to have.  Fans aren't there to see the understudy. Players should be concerned about giving fans what they paid for.  These are highly paid entertainers and they should see themselves in that light.

This, plus the fact that the "load management" often doesn't seem to work, anyway. It certainly hasn't helped Kawhi be available for the playoffs.

[celticsclay]

Old man yells at cloud!


Honestly this post adds nothing to the forum. If you have a reason you disagree with his point of wanting to show up for the fans explain it. Don't just write a line from a meme with no explanation.