Load management has been one of the most divisive topics in the NBA over the last half-decade. Now one retired Basketball Hall of Famer is adding an interesting perspective to the debate.
Speaking this week with Jared Weiss of The Athletic, former NBA MVP Kevin Garnett said that he actually wishes he had done load management.
“If they had load management back then, I’d still be playing,” said Garnett. “I should’ve listened to [former Boston Celtics head coach] Doc [Rivers]’ a–. My hard-headed a–, that’s how you know I’m a Taurus [Zodiac sign].”
The 45-year-old Garnett was one of the toughest competitors of his era and appeared in 75 or more games a total of 11 times in his NBA career. Garnett also enjoyed great longevity in the league, playing 21 seasons. But he was no longer effective towards the final years of his career and struggled through a number of knee and foot issues.
Today’s NBA stars largely have no problem with sitting out games in order to preserve their bodies. Meanwhile, stars of decades past have expressed their disdain for the load management of this era. Now there is someone in the middle — Garnett, who debuted in 1995 and never load managed during his career but now wishes that he did.
Photo: Dec 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) prior to the start of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
