Sports

NBA 65 Game Minimum

Ari Shemesh, Reporter

February 16, 2024

sportingnews.com

Last year, a new rule was approved in the NBA, which states that in order to be eligible for major end of the season awards, such as Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year, a player must play at least 65 out of the 82 games, or 80% of the regular season. This change was made as a result of players winning awards despite being put on load management for large portions of the season, while other players succeed with more game time.

The 2023-2024 season has been the first in which this rule was applied, and there are many mixed opinions amongst the NBA community. Many think that it is unfair for a dominant player to be denied an award as a result of an injury, especially if it only keeps them out for 17 games, as opposed to a large portion of the season. The other group of fans think that this rule is completely fair, as it does not make sense to give an award to someone who missed numerous games, while someone else dominated throughout the entire season.

This rule, regardless of its fairness, will affect and has affected multiple players. For instance, Joel Embiid is coming off his first MVP season, and was on track to win another, averaging 36 points per game. But even before his season ending injury, he was on course to be denied the award as a result of smaller injuries. Another superstar that is on pace to lose his chance at this award is Tyrese Haliburton, who has missed 13 games already. This rule will also affect Tyrese Haliburton’s contract, and if he is kept out of four more games, he will lose tens of millions of dollars. This is because his five year contract included a $41 million bonus if he were to make an All-NBA team at the end of this season, which will be impossible if he is kept out of four more contests. Entering this season, Evan Mobley was coming off an All-Defensive team placement. However, he has already missed 20 games this year, so he is ineligible to receive this honor again.

Many fans are upset that their favorite player will be ineligible to win these prestigious awards. However, it should result in a drop in awards won unfairly, as players will be forced to play as much as possible throughout the season.

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About the Contributor

Ari Shemesh, Reporter

Ari Shemesh, a senior at Adams, is excited to be back for his second year as a member of The Tower, and is eager to finally get back on the reporting grind. This year, Ari is hoping to spend more quality time with his friend David Nagy, amongst others (Isaac Shrader), while continuing to write for The Tower and learn valuable writing and reporting skills While his mornings are spent being an incredibly successful reporter, , Ari is starting his fourth year on the John Adams tennis team, where he dominates every afternoon. When given time to chill, Ari likes to play video games, watch movies, and watch or play sports with his family and friends. Furthermore, Ari enjoys spending his summers at an overnight camp, where this past summer break, he cleaned toilets and dishes for two months. Ari’s favorite classes in school are history and English; He is also a member of NHS, and spends time volunteering at the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley. Ari is very excited to start his final year as a reporter and a student at Adams. His one request this year is that you guys help him finish the year with more reads than Isaac Shrader.