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Matthew Adams
Managing Editor
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has recently implemented a new 65-game rule that puts many players in jeopardy of winning major awards. These awards include Most Valuable Player, All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defense, and Most Improved Player of the Year.
The rule does not apply to the Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie, and Sixth Man of the Year awards.
These awards are significant to the NBA and the individual player because they help to indicate the strides that the player has taken to win the specific award.
This rule was set based on fan complaints. Fans were speaking out against the fact that players would miss a significant number of games due to unfortunate events such as injuries or more extenuating circumstances such as load management.
Some players are in talks to be nominated for these awards but tragedy strikes as those candidates are hurt. They will miss the 65-game minimum.
A plethora of players are at risk of being ineligible for these awards and placements. The list includes players such as Zach Lavine from the Chicago Bulls, Lauri Markanen from the Utah Jazz, Kyrie Irving from the Dallas Mavericks, and Bam Adebayo from the Miami Heat.
More players are at risk of being ineligible and have missed over 20 games. There could be more players to add to the ineligible list.
Players like Joel Embiid and Tyreese Haliburton are key players who will possibly not be in talks for awards and placements like Most Valuable Player and All-NBA.
“I don’t think it’s fair that the NBA cares more about the fans than the players.” This was a sentiment that Myles Hampton, a junior civil engineering major from Atlanta, Ga., said about the new rule.
Another Jackson State student felt the same way. Devin Dodson, a senior computer science major from Wichita, Kan., was equally befuddled by this rule.
Dodson stated, “This rule just doesn’t make any sense. Why would the NBA put such as stupid rule in to stop players from achieving certain goals.”
Embiid previously made the All-NBA team and won the Most Valuable Player award. He was the number one option on his team scoring 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Embiid played 66 games last season.
With Embiid out, the 76ers look to replace him with the 6’9 power forward Paul Reed from DePaul. Reed currently averages 6.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Reed was drafted in 2020 and was in the 2nd round by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Tyreese Haliburton is in his 3rd year in the league and has recently been injury-prone with multiple hamstring injuries. Haliburton has missed 13 games as of now and this puts him in jeopardy of being a part of any prestigious teams or winning awards.
Currently, Haliburton averages 22.5 points, 3.9 rebounds per game, and an astounding 11.7 rebounds for the Indiana Pacers.
With this rule in place, many former and current players have different opinions on this new rule.
Former player and sports analyst Jamal Crawford shared his sentiments toward the rule.
Crawford via NBA on TNT stated, “Players shouldn’t have to risk themselves and their livelihood to say ‘I need to meet a quota’ to be eligible for this stuff.”
A current player also shared the same view on the rule. Draymond Green, forward for the Golden State Warriors, stated via The Draymond Green Show, “Guys didn’t face those rules before.”
There are protections for this rule. Those protections include season-ending injuries, but you must play 62 games. The 65-game minimum is set to begin on Feb. 18.
