It's one of the topics of the season and Adam Silver's most frequently asked question in his meetings with the press during All-Star Weekend. The 65-game minimum rule to qualify for Season Awards continues to leave supporters and detractors. The latest to join the latter is Nikola Jokic. On the other hand, he appears to be the biggest beneficiary of Joel Embiid not being able to compete for the MVP award on his way to collecting his third MVP award of the season. “I don't like the way they force you to play even when you're injured if you want to achieve something,” admits the Serbian.
The rule was received without any major setback when it was announced for the new campaign as part of the New Agreement. It was the aforementioned positions of Embiid and Tyrese Haliburton that elevated the debate to the media agenda. In terms of the league's consistent position, represented by Silver and Joe Dumars. In contrast, the participation of so-called stars (all-stars and/or NBA in the past three years) has been increasing, although the sample is still small. And finally, the stance the players seem to be taking against Al Qaeda.
There are a few who have come out in defense of the rule, and all the stars seem to have, at least, their reservations. “It definitely puts people at risk,” Booker says. “65 games might be too many, and I would put the scale at 58,” Jaylen Brown said. Of course, there are those who have more doubts. Like Kawhi Leonard, Lauri Markkanen, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who understand the league's intentions even if they don't share them.
(Cover photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)