One of the most controversial issues in the NBA in recent seasons has been the topic of load management, in which players sit out even when healthy in order to secure more rest for their bodies. One person who is not a fan of the idea of NBA load management is former player Charles Barkley, who established himself as one of the best players in the league during the prime of his career in the 1990s.

Barkley recently spoke on the issue on TNT's Inside the NBA leading up to the season-opening doubleheader on the network.

“I'm talking to the players, man. Forget the ownership, forget the fans, as a player, if you're going to make $50 or 60 million a year to play basketball three or four days a week, play basketball, man,” said Barkley. “Now, if you're injured, don't play. But everybody's hurt after the first two weeks of the season. Your legs are sore, your knees are sore. If you're injured, I don't want you to play… Y'all have got the best shoes, you've got the best medical staff, you've got these guys sleeping in chambers, you've got ice baths. If you can play, shut the hell up and play.”

Charles Barkley echoed a sentiment shared by many frustrated NBA fans tired of paying enormous prices for tickets just for their favorite players to also be spectators with mysterious ailments that often appear out of thin air.

The NBA has recently taken strides to address this issue with new rules put in place.