20 February 2023 , 19:00
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Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has criticised fellow NBA all-stars and players across the league for sitting out of games to rest their bodies.
In recent years, NBA players have become more critical of the stringent schedule - having 82 games in 173 days this season - as players struggle to keep up with the physical demands and limit the stress on their body before the all-important playoffs, in a term that has been labelled as 'load management' - a new status regularly seen on injury reports.
It's something that players have been criticised for by analysts, with the vast majority of stars who have done so stating that it's a necessity to keep themselves healthy throughout the season.
But Edwards is not of that mindset, and has openly criticised those who take the decision to do so at times throughout the season. Edwards was speaking at his full all-star game, and did not hold back on potentially rustling some feathers.
Edwards was asked if there was anything that he would like to see changed in the league to make it better, and he replied: "Probably just all the guys sitting and resting. That’s the only thing that I probably don’t like."
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He added: "Just play man. If you 80 percent, 70 percent, you gotta play. That might be the game they come to and you sitting out… It might be one fan who has never seen me play and I’m trying to play."
The 21-year-old's refreshing comments have seen him be heaped praised upon, with fans seemingly not pleased about a number of players sitting out.
Anthony Edwards does not approve of load managementWith the amount of money that NBA players receive in recent years, along with the rise in price tickets, it's easy to see why fans may be frustrated to save up hundreds to travel and see their favourite players take the court only for them to not play due to rest.
As well as Edwards, FOX Sports reporter Skip Bayless has criticised players, namely LeBron James for skipping games this season.
He tweeted: "Wait, LeBron isn't playing tonight at Denver, the best in the West? Ankle injury? Did this happen in practice? No idea. All I know for sure is Michael Jordan played all 82 games NINE TIMES - including all 82 at age 39. The no-doubt GOAT also played 81 one season and 80 another."
The 'load management' strategy is only been implemented in recent years by players and coaches, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently stating he does not see it as a problem.