Ruben’s Rants: Put Me in Coach!
The load management epidemic that is killing the NBA’s fan base beyond repair.
I’ve had enough of these NBA players sitting out games because they’re “tired”. They get paid a lot of money to perform during the season. I think coach Pop started this with the San Antonio Spurs. It’s not right that some people save up a lot of their money in anticipation for a specific team or player to go watch on a special occasion only to have their favorite player sit out that game for “load management”. I have seen it happen personally. I believe it was last season where I bear witnessed to a young Warriors fan that went to a Spurs game in anticipation to watch his favorite player Steph Curry play. Curry sat out that night for “load management”. Disappointment was written all over that young mans face. Of course, if there is an actual emergency or real injury that would be an exception but not a last minute scratch 1 hour until tip-off.
If you are an NBA player playing at the highest level and you are tired, maybe try a different profession. Players have a decent off season to rest and time throughout the season. NBA athletes are young and in the best shape of their lives. It’s horrible for fans that waste their time and most importantly their money!
NBA Champion Richard Jefferson recently shared a story on television about his disgust for “load management”. He tells a story of how his father saved up money so that he could watch his favorite player, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs play on his birthday. His father could only afford enough money for one ticket. RJ went to the game by himself on his birthday as his father watched from a nearby bar. RJ explains how if Robinson sat out that game he would have been devastated. Currently it feels as if the NBA does everything to spurn the casual fan and the diehards.
Recently, I saw a video on Instagram where Kobe Bryant’s wife once asked him why he ALWAYS played through all of his injuries? He answered, “What about the fans that saved up to watch me play just once”? They don’t make ‘um like that anymore. Vanessa Bryant story
I don’t know who’s at fault in these situations because it could be the front office / coach but if it isn’t the player be sure and yell out - “put me in coach”!