THE NBA has announced it will implement a new rule to halt resting and load management – but it won’t apply to some of the game’s greatest players.
Two players exempt from the rules are future Hall of Famers LeBron James and Steph Curry.
4Adam Silver and the Board of Governors released new rules in the NBACredit: Getty4LeBron James and Steph Curry will be exempt from the new regulationCredit: Getty
On Wednesday, the league’s Board of Governors approved stricter rules prohibiting star players from taking games off and load managing.
The NBA defines a star player as someone who has made an All-Star team or an All-NBA team in any of the past three seasons.
The league will also allow players who are 35 years old on opening night or have career workloads of 34,000 regular-season minutes or 1,000 regular-season/playoff games combined to sit games as well.
As of now, nearly 50 players qualify to be exempt from the new rule change.
Amazing High 5 offer including 5 Sweeps coins and 250 game coins
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer and leading three-point maker are joined by many fellow stars.
Some other players include Curry’s teammate Chris Paul, former teammate Kevin Durant, as well as James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic.
Twenty-six teams will still be allowed to rest a star on their roster.
Players not included on the list feature Jamal Murray, Mikal Bridges, or Jalen Brunson.
The rule isn’t perfect, but it should prevent plenty of players from resting even if they’re healthy in the future.
Commissioner Adam Silver explained the positives from the new change.
The commissioner explained: “This is ultimately about the fans.
“And that we’ve taken this too far. This is an acknowledgment that it has gotten away from us a bit.”
The rule will begin once the upcoming NBA season gets under way.
The NBA’s regular season starts on October 24.
The defending champion Denver Nuggets will face the Los Angeles Lakers in a conference finals rematch, while the Phoenix Suns will battle Curry’s Golden State Warriors.
4Steph Curry has the most career three-pointers in NBA historyCredit: Getty
Meanwhile, LeBron James has the most points in league historyCredit: Getty