Mavs' Kyrie Irving Fires Back at NBA Load Management Talk: ‘Completely Run Amok’

Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving fired back at the NBA's load management debate during All-Star Media Day, saying the talk has "completely run amok."

SALT LAKE CITY — Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving is set to represent his new team at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. Before that, he took part in the typical All-Star Media Day process on Saturday. 

Among the many topics Irving was asked about during his availability included the polarizing load management debate. He feels the conversation surrounding it has "completely run amok."

"I don’t know who created the term ‘load management’ or guys sitting out games or this narrative that continues to play on about star players or guys not being available. I don’t know who started the narrative, but it’s completely run amok," Irving said.

Irving described some load management conversations as dehumanizing for a few reasons. A significant part of the issue is how it diminishes the day-to-day preparations that go into the typical player's process. The constant speculation from doctors posting online with their conflicting opinions further convolutes it.

"I think it’s dehumanized some of us in terms of just the way we prepare ourselves day-to-day," Irving said. "This is a 24/7 job. We have cameras on us all the time. It’s a high-level, combative sport. It’s very aggressive.

"Nobody knows how anyone else’s body heals. The only person that knows is the person that is hurt or injured. We try our best to tell you guys what is going on, but you have doctors online telling everybody that he needs to be back in two weeks. You’ve got this person over here saying that he is not really hurt. He doesn’t want to play."

Irving made clear that players take pride in playing for their families and fans. With how some load management conversation goes, it tends to paint a picture that star players do not care about fans. It becomes a polarizing situation in that context.

"So I think the narratives have run amok. But us as players, we really take pride in preparing ourselves at a very high level and performing not only for our families, but for the fans that support us. We’re nothing without our fans."

As far as the conversation about load management, Irving wants to see it change. He doesn't see playing an 82-game as an impossible feat, but there is more nuance that goes into it when discussing the individual situations player-by-player. 

"I just think the narrative needs to change in terms of load management. Eighty-two games is a long season," Irving said. "I’m not saying we can’t do it. We’re in 2023. We have all the technology necessary. We have to use it wisely, and we have to be very communicative about what the plan is for everybody individually."

"Everybody’s body is different. So you may see somebody heal in two weeks, but it may take someone else a month and a half to heal. It’s just different. That’s all. Appreciate the question."

The situation is complicated overall since there are softwares that help to determine how to balance player workloads that simply weren't used in the past. It's not as easy as saying a certain superstar didn't want to play that given night. With how large salaries have become, doing what's possible to reduce injury risk, while not damaging the product on the court is a necessary balancing act the league must do soon. 

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