Michael Jordan makes the point of load management 100% clear

Few superstars account for all 82 games in a season these days. Michael Jordan he did it nine times in his all-time great 15-year NBA career and played fewer than 70 games in just three campaigns. Six-time NBA Finals MVP obsession with competition and his willingness to perform for paying fans helped form his strong opinion on load management.

“It shouldn’t be necessary,” Jordan told Mike Therick as part of his ongoing segments for NBC’s NBA coverage. “I never wanted to miss a game because it was a chance to prove myself. The fans are there to watch me play — I want to impress that guy at the top who probably worked hard to get a ticket.”

“You have a duty that if they want to see you, and I as an entertainer want a show. If I can’t physically do it, then I can’t. But physically if I can do it, and I just don’t feel like doing it, that’s a whole different lens.”

Michael Jordan shares his thoughts on workload management in Part 2 of MJ: Insights to Excellence.

“I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove … the fans are there to watch me play.” pic.twitter.com/h7g6krplDK

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 29, 2025

Jordan recounted some of the moments when he pushed through the pain and led the Chicago Bulls to battle, most famously what the public called “Flu Game” During the 1997 NBA Finals, the 10-goal champion and nine-time All-Defensive First Team clearly believes that toughness is lacking in the modern game.

Many will argue that load management has become a necessary evil as the pace of the game gets faster and injuries become more common. Old-school minds will refute that thesis and argue that athletes can limit wear and tear by playing different sports at a young age, with the idea that diversification can strengthen muscles that would otherwise remain vulnerable.

Regardless of where people stand on this debate, the NBA is following it. The league requires players to log at least 65 games in a campaign to be eligible for season-ending awards or All-NBA selections, hoping that contract incentives will get more stars to step up.

Michael Jordan made his point by not indulging in “get off my lawn territory.” If nothing else, his take on load management is definitely worth considering.