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Subject: ""Why wouldn’t I play if I’m healthy?" uh, the road to injury, maybe?" Previous topic | Next topic
c71
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Thu Dec-19-19 12:12 AM

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7. ""Why wouldn’t I play if I’m healthy?" uh, the road to injury, maybe?"
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Thu Dec-19-19 12:17 AM by c71

  

          

“Why wouldn’t I play if I’m healthy? It doesn’t make any sense to me,” James told reporters following the Lakers’ win in Atlanta on Sunday. “My obligation is to play for my teammates. If I’m healthy, then I’m going to play. If coach sits me out, then I’m not healthy. It’s just that simple.”



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS6xURewyH0


Doc Rivers' comments were a shot at Lakers organization, not LeBron — Broussard | NBA | UNDISPUTED

12/18/19

Skip and Shannon: UNDISPUTED


Shannon Sharpe: If I was them owners, you know what I'd do? I'd start load managing some of these contracts. I'mma load manage those - 'cause you getting paid on a game basis - I'mma load these contracts.



So....uh, it seems there IS something not "settled" on this - as far as how much other teams (players) will get real "load management" (or if they just can't/won't because owners WANT TO GET ALL THEY CAN FROM THE PLAYERS - NO MATTER WHAT (injuries).


https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2019/12/18/lebron-james-kawhi-leonard-load-management-defined-differently/2684272001/

Opinion: Doc Rivers' shot at LeBron James stirs more debate over load management, handling of Kawhi Leonard

Mark Medina, USA TODAY Published 6:56 a.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019 |

Updated 9:48 a.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019


LOS ANGELES — The words will add some spice to a possible rivalry. They likely suggest that Clippers coach Doc Rivers interpreted LeBron James' dismissal of "load management" as a subtle dig on how the Clippers have handled Kawhi Leonard.

“It’s our philosophy. I don’t know what theirs are,” Rivers said of the Lakers. “I think theirs is whatever LeBron says it is, to be honest.”

It is not fair to compare the attitude that James and Leonard have toward load management. Their views have differed mostly because of their differing circumstances.

James sounded incredulous when questioned on if he has considered following a load management program this season.

“Why wouldn’t I play if I’m healthy? It doesn’t make any sense to me,” James told reporters following the Lakers’ win in Atlanta on Sunday. “My obligation is to play for my teammates. If I’m healthy, then I’m going to play. If coach sits me out, then I’m not healthy. It’s just that simple.”
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James has played in all of the Lakers’ 27 games in his 17th NBA season after missing 27 contests last season with a strained left groin.Even if he is less than two weeks away from turning 35 years old, James has nearly mirrored his career averages in points (26.1 points) and shooting percentage (50.2%) while remaining on pace in setting a career-high in assists (10.7).


Leonard has missed nine games because of continued complications in the patella tendon in his left knee, an injury that affected him during his final year in San Antonio and even when he won an NBA championship last season in Toronto. Because of those concerns, Leonard has not played entirely in the Clippers’ five sets of back-to-backs.

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Clippers forward Paul George (left) and forward Kawhi Leonard watch from the bench in the fourth quarter against the Suns at Staples Center.
Clippers forward Paul George (left) and forward Kawhi Leonard watch from the bench in the fourth quarter against the Suns at Staples Center. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
In the Clippers’ 120-99 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday at Staples Center, Leonard finished with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting in only 27 minutes. That happened two nights after sitting in the Clippers’ loss in Chicago, which marked the second night of a back-to-back and the team’s sixth road game in eight nights.

Leonard insisted “I feel good,” as he has averaged 25.8 points on 45.9 percent shooting along with 7.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 31.5 minutes per game. Rivers admitted that Leonard has “been up and down” with finding his rhythm.

When James was not healthy last season, he was among one of many NBA players that adopted the load management program. That included Leonard, who played 60 games last season in Toronto and still looked noticeably hobbled en route to winning a Finals MVP in June. Nearly six months later, Leonard still feels enough pain to require extensive treatment after games and on off days.

Because of their stature, James and Leonard have exerted their influence on how the Lakers and Clippers handle their respective workloads. Vogel has admitted that he often defers to James’ wishes out of respect for his stature and familiarity with his body. Rivers has done the same thing with Leonard. But the Lakers and Clippers have their medical staff work directly with James and Leonard to protect them from themselves.

James has only averaged 34.6 minutes per game, which ranks 16th in the NBA. He has appeared spry and engaged enough to help the Lakers accelerate their on-court chemistry with Anthony Davis and a dependable supporting cast, while and tying the Milwaukee Bucks for the NBA’s best record (24-4).

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“Unless we’re getting to like late in the season and we’ve clinched and we can’t get any better or any worse,” James told reporters. “It could benefit from that.”

The Clippers do not have the same luxury. Paul George missed the first 11 games of the season while healing from off-season surgery on both of his shoulders. Leonard will likely to continue missing the first or second night of the Clippers’ remaining six sets of back-to-backs. Clippers players have missed a combined 63 games with injuries and the team has fielded 12 different starting lineups. But they have still remained a contender. While Leonard helped the Clippers absorb George’s initial absence, George’s return has minimized Leonard’s absence on back-to-backs. Their bench also leads the NBA in scoring (51.2).

“I like what we’re doing. It’s a smart thing to do,” Rivers said. “Then who knows. We’ll see at the end.”

Then, the Clippers and the Lakers will find out which team will be the healthiest for the playoffs. Regardless of how that plays out, though, the Lakers have been just as correct with their approach with James even if it differs from what the Clippers have done. Even Rivers admitted that only moments after throwing shade at the King.

Said Rivers: “That makes a lot of sense to me.”

Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


  

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Load management: The phenomenon [View all] , c71, Fri Jun-14-19 07:55 PM
 
Subject Author Message Date ID
the Spurs already do load management
Jun 14th 2019
1
If Kawhi's load management has an extent that is "extra"
Jun 14th 2019
2
      I'm going to sound crazy, but different people need different things.
Jun 14th 2019
3
           One of the commentators I just listened to brought up
Jun 14th 2019
4
                I hear you, don't disagree
Jun 14th 2019
5
                     Kawhi has put another step in the revolution of players controlling
Jun 15th 2019
6
                          Lebron thinks that way, but Kawhi doesn't Lol
Dec 19th 2019
15
                               lol right - Kawhi is looking out for Kawhi
Dec 19th 2019
22
lebron reversing course on this is kind of funny
Dec 19th 2019
12
Reverse course? He's played more minutes than anyone, ever Lol
Dec 19th 2019
13
Did it lead to a road to injury when Jordan played every game?
Dec 19th 2019
23
      Phil had to fight MJ to cut his minutes
Dec 19th 2019
25
Jalen Rose - "showing up for work is an obligation"
Dec 19th 2019
8
"At the expense of devaluing the regular season?"
Dec 19th 2019
9
what are you whining about man
Dec 19th 2019
10
      The 3 YouTube clips I posted plus Lebron's and River's
Dec 19th 2019
14
           no it doesn't, unless you're a fucking fool.
Dec 19th 2019
18
                A fool for thinking someone of Lebron's stature seemingly going
Dec 19th 2019
20
I load manage my viewing .
Dec 19th 2019
11
I'm trying to decide which is a dumber "issue"
Dec 19th 2019
16
If Kawhi is the contender for the best at the moment - his "ways"
Dec 19th 2019
17
      well, if youtube commenters say it, then
Dec 19th 2019
19
           Then......their comments can be evaluated just like OKP
Dec 19th 2019
21
           b. whatever you're saying is for you.
Dec 19th 2019
27
           Right...did dude cut & paste Youtube comments to support a point?
Dec 19th 2019
24
                YouTube. Comments.
Dec 19th 2019
26
                because they are indicative of the issues of this thing
Dec 19th 2019
28
                not even a single hint of irony too
Dec 20th 2019
29
                     My view in reply #4 was evaluated by OE in reply #5
Dec 20th 2019
30
By far one of the dumbest talking points of my lifetime
Dec 24th 2019
31
it's *one guy* and people act like the league is falling apart
Dec 24th 2019
32
Well, why do you think Lebron seemingly commented on it?
Dec 24th 2019
33
dope video
Dec 25th 2019
35
RE: Load management: The phenomenon
Dec 24th 2019
34
?
Sep 16th 2020
36
It's not that load management is "wrong"...
Sep 16th 2020
37
      the "bubble" was unique for everybody, could some outcomes have...
Sep 16th 2020
38

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