The NBA's issue with players resting based on coaching decision has continued to be a much talked about topic the past few weeks. Players, coaches and members of the league office have not been shy to voice their opinions, as it has been a truly controversial concern.
The latest to speak his mind is Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley, who took a shot at the team's who give additional nights off to their stars for rest. He even went as far as saying, via Tim MacMahon of ESPN, that he feels their decision is a disgrace to the league disrespectful to the game.
“I think that’s bullsh–. I think that’s a disgrace to this league. I think that fans deserve better. I could care less about coaches ask players to rest or not. It’s up to you to play or not, and if you don’t you’re disrespecting the game. And I don’t believe in disrespecting the game, because there was a time where I wasn’t playing in the NBA and I was trying to get here. So me resting I feel like is disrespecting me, disrespecting the name on the front of the jersey and disrespecting the name on the back of the jersey.”
The NBA was forced to issue a memo to its teams after ESPN blasted the league for allowing stars to sit out nationally-televised games. It has apparently taken a hit on their revenue and the broadcasters did not take that lightly.
The Rockets, as well as head coach Mike D'Antoni, have been known to be against sitting out players. That has been the case for them this season as their starters have played in all games, as long as healthy.
Rockets leader James Harden also recently spoke against resting players, saying he'd “rest when he's done.”
With the discussions about the issue heating up, more and more players, and even other members of the NBA community, are expected to voice their take on the issue. This summer will be a busy one for Adam Silver and company as they will need to come up with a win-win solution to cover all concerned parties.
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