NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson is well known for orchestrating the legendary “Showtime” offense that won five championships throughout the 1980s.
Though his passion for the game of basketball is well documented, he has voiced his concerns about how the game has evolved, particularly with the rise of load management.
Magic Johnson on Load Management
During an appearance on Byron Scott’s Fast Break Podcast, the 12-time All-Star shared his frustration with the modern state of the NBA, specifically calling out the issue with load management.
“I love the NBA game,” Johnson told his former teammate. “But then I turn on to a game, right, and the stars are not playing because of load management. It’s hurting the game.” As the league enters the final stretch of the regular season, the absence of marquee players has become even more noticeable.
Magic also recalled a conversation he had with Michael Jordan about the topic, highlighting the difference in mindsets between today’s players and those from his era.
“Was with Michael Jordan — not last summer, but the summer before last — we ran into each other in Europe,” Johnson said. “And he says, ‘Earvin, I don’t know why these guys…’ If you look at his record, he played almost every game five or six times throughout his career. He didn’t miss one game. He played in every game.”
Jordan was an Iron Man throughout his career, having played a full 82 games in multiple seasons. His approach to the game was centered on playing through adversity and wanting to play the game, something Johnson highlighted.
“We wanted to play in every game. Pat Riley or our trainer Gary Vitti, they had to make sure that they say, ‘No, no, no, don’t put your uniform on, don’t come sitting on that bench,’” Johnson recalled. “Because you wanted to play. You wanted to play for your guys and with your guys. He made me wear a t-shirt.”
Load Management in the NBA
There has been heavy discussion about resting and load management in the NBA. The league implemented rules aimed at curbing the trend last season.
During the 2023-24 season, the NBA added to their player participation policy, requiring teams to make sure a star player is available for nationally televised games, and that no more than one star player is unavailable for the same game.
The rule also aims to keep fans engaged by ensuring key players are featured in high-profile matchups.
Coaches have used the strategy to preserve key players for the playoffs. This approach has proven to be effective, helping stars stay fresh for the postseason, but it has sparked debates on the long-term impact on the game.