NBA’s 65-game rule isn’t just about the awards race — and it isn’t going anywhere
New York TimesAs the NBA and the NBPA worked through negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement last season, exchanging meetings at their respective headquarters located just blocks apart in midtown Manhattan, the NBA pushed for a fix to get its star players on the court more often. Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers’ All-Star point guard, called it “a stupid rule,” and said he returned early from an injury to remain eligible for an All-NBA team, which would earn him another $41 million. It’s a difficult rule and something that I feel like was inspired by competition and we have to just look at it again and try to see what we can converse and come up with.” One high-ranking union official said the NBPA ultimately agreed to the rule because the larger CBA package would increase league revenue in future media deals — which is split with the players — and because it brought them concessions elsewhere in the negotiations. He believes that players should play the majority of the season to win MVP and earn award recognition, but “maybe 65 games might be a little too severe.” Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said he sees value of the rule for the MVP award but not everything else. Because that affects people’s money, too.” He added, “With new rules, there is always controversy.” Dumars said the rule changes are working; the league is seeing increased availability from its stars after seasons of giving them latitude to sit out games for load management.
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What’s the NBA’s 65-game rule? The new provision that may jeopardize Joel Embiid’s MVP candidacy
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