On Thursday, the NBA’s Board of Governors came together to vote on a series of new rules, including a reform to the Draft Lottery and the ability for teams to rest their able-bodied players during nationally-televised games.
The new guidelines give NBA commissioner Adam Silver the ability to fine teams up to $100,000 for resting healthy players on the road.
As most Cavs fans know, head coach Tyronn Lue elected to sit several of his star players throughout the 2016-17 season, including LeBron James and Kevin Love. As it turns out, the Cavs, who are scheduled to play 39 games on national TV this season, were actually part of the reason for the implication of this new rule.
Coach Lue says he has no problems with the league’s new rule, which means hoops fans in opposing arenas will see a lot more James and the gang. In fact, coach Lue told Joe Vardon of cleveland.com that his team intends to “play by the rules” this season.
“That’s a lot of money wherever you’re at, $100,000,” Lue said of the new directive on Friday. “That’s a big fine, but we’re going to try and play by the rules. You know, we’re going to try and rest at the right moments, and guys that get through it will try to get through it, but we’re going to abide by the rules.”
The 82-game regular season is a grind. Back-to-back nights, long flights, and extended hours in the practice gym are just a few of the rigors players endure over the course of a season. However, the NBA has made things a bit easier for teams with regards to resting players by stretching the season out a bit. The 2017-18 NBA campaign is beginning a week earlier than usual.
Obviously, $100,000 is a lot of money. Will teams simply accept the fine for resting players? Or will they try to get sneaky by listing players as “injured?” With the start of the 2017-18 season approaching fast, hoops fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out.