By Anuj Talwalkar,EssentiallySports
Copyright yardbarker
Silver, defending the 82-game schedule, has said much of the same. The NBA commissioner doesn’t think the length of the season correlates to the number of injuries. “If that were the case, you’d think you’d have more injuries in April than in October, we don’t see that,” Silver argued. However, there’s another reason that doesn’t take the players into account.
The NBA business might keep Steve Kerr from getting his wish
Whenever Steve Kerr has spoken about shortening the season, he’s always had the player in mind. According to the Warriors head coach, “A lot of things have evolved, including the rules. It’s on us to adapt to that as coaches and as caretakers of the league,”. And a part of him believes Silver has the same concern for the health of the players.
But while he believes in the management, Kerr feels people might not wish to face a financial loss. “What I don’t have faith in is America’s willingness to cut back on a few profits here and there in the name of quality. I don’t think that’s in our nature in America,” said Kerr. And the NBA has some major commitments to fulfil in its immediate future.
The upcoming season will mark the first year of the NBA’s $75 billion media rights deal. The volume of games matters immensely to the partners who are investing such vast amounts. And it’s also about creating opportunities for fans to witness some of their favorite players. “It’s more opportunities for fans to go to games and to watch games,” added Silver.
In hindsight, freak injuries can’t be prevented by shortening the season. Fewer games would reduce the physical workload of players, but teams can manage their workload, at least for 17 games, after which players aren’t eligible for league accolades. So it doesn’t look like Kerr’s wishes will be met.
