As Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards heads to his first All-Star Game on Sunday, a reporter asked him what he could change in the NBA if he had the skill.
For Edwards, there’s not much he would do. If I could though, I would change one thing that has become a hot topic in recent seasons.
«Probably all the guys sitting down, resting,» Edwards replied. «That’s the only thing I probably don’t like. Just play, man. If you’re 80%, 70, you’ve got to play. I don’t like all the games of sitting around getting lost and stuff. These people might have enough money to come to a game, you know what I’m saying, that could be the game they come to and then you’re left out.
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Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Grizzlies game at FedExForum on February 10, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
«It makes me proud to try to play every game because you never know if there’s a fan that never saw me play and I’m trying to play.»
Load management for players has been something the NBA has struggled with for a while. While they understand the importance of athletes’ fatigue, many also share Edwards’ mindset: Fans come to see the best players.
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During the 2019-20 season, we see him a lot with the Los Angeles Clippers, as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George got plenty of rest. But players like LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler are just a few who have also had rest days despite not being injured, as teams believe it’s not worth the risk of a star player getting hurt in some regular season games.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum on February 10, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The NBA decided during the 2020-21 campaign that healthy players could not sit out during nationally televised games or during road games when «unusual circumstances» were not present. Those circumstances are a bit loose, but the emphasis is on national television games.
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If teams break that rule, they will be fined at least $100,000 on national television stages.
It’s something you won’t have to worry about with Edwards, who became a star early in his career with the Timberwolves. Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns are also big names in Minnesota.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots against the Jazz at Vivint Arena on February 8, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
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However, load management will likely continue to be a factor in teams’ strategies for the 82-game regular season.