In a perfect world, the NBA season would operate without injuries. With superstars sustaining season-ending injuries every year, it's arguably the biggest problem that the league must try to alleviate.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver was asked about the idea of shortening the 82-game season as one possible solution. While Silver admits that it's been in the discussions being had, there are still reservations before ultimately trending towards that direction.
“It's something we've been talking a lot about the last few years,” said the NBA commissioner. I'm not against potentially changing the format of the season. Even possibly shortening a bit. If we can demonstrate that's going to have a direct impact on injuries.”
The NBA commissioner mentioned that from their data so far, there's not necessarily a gradual increase of injuries as the season goes on due to accumulated fatigue. Silver cited the shortened 2020-21 season, which according to him didn't curb injuries in a way that makes a shortened regular season all that enticing.
"I'm not against potentially changing the format of the season."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver answers @ChrisBHaynes' question about the length of the regular season. pic.twitter.com/wAYLgQELoG
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 3, 2022
“For example last season we played 10 fewer games and essentially had no impact. People quickly forgot. We played a 72-game season instead of an 82-game season.”
There are a few reasons that the NBA is hesitant to make such as drastic move as to reduce the number of total games being played in a season. There's the loss of opportunities for revenue as well as the distortion of statistical uniformity with the entire history of the league.
But if the NBA puts player health at the forefront, it's something the league should at least take a closer look at.
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