This week I have decided to blog about how stupid I think it is that teams "save" their better players during the last couple season games for the playoffs. I think the whole concept is ridiculous. The players in the NBA are professional. During the regular season they go out and play game after game without holding back. Many times those games are even back to back. Resting the players so there is no injury to risk is just an unnecessary precaution. I don't think that Lebron James sitting out of one game would seriously make him play any better or worse in the playoffs.
The main reason this happens to bother me so much this year is because I got to go to the Cavs final home game for fan appreciation night this year. To my dissatisfaction, when I arrive, I come to find that Lebron James, Mo Williams, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Joe Smith did not play. Also, Delonte West and Anderson Varejao played for only the first half. I was so upset because I didn't even get to watch my favorite players at my first live Cavs game. I understand that there is a risk for injury, but there is always a risk. They are taking a risk in practice too.
I guess I am also so mad because they lost. The final score was 110-111. The 76ers had won. Even though Gibson had a chance to take the game and the Cavs were given the perfect opportunity to win in overtime after Miller actually missed a set of free throws, it was hard to be mad at him. After all, without his 3 pointer, they wouldn't have been in overtime to begin with. Then again, if the starters had played the game, they would have blown the 76ers out of the water and tied the Boston Celtic's 1985-86 team with the all-time home record of 40-1. Instead, they are 39-2. It just doesn't sound as good.
Finally, I just want to say that I am never going to go watch my favorite teams at the end of the regular season again, just in case they need to be "rested."
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Brandy, great topic! I never really thought about this before. You bring up a great point, and it reminds me of the presentation we saw in class the other day about players being hurt. I wonder if the teams are really looking out for the well-being of their players or if they just want to make sure they win the championship?
ReplyDeleteI also have never really though about this topic before either. It is a really interesting one after you start thinking about it. I feel the same way you do I do not think you should save your better players. Fans are paying money to go see a great game I feel as though you did get gipped after going to a Cavs game not seeing Lebron play. I would be very upset as well if I were you. In the long run on things I do believe teams are looking out for winning a championship and do not want to risk hurting a player.
ReplyDeleteI agree for the most part. I was mad that the main players were sitting out especially during that particular game. Because, to me, they should have tried to break the record. Sure I understand that they are think about the big picture here and it is more important, but honestly, who is going to remember who the 2009 NBAchampions were 20 years from now. But people will remember who broke the record. Hopefully resting the players pays off!
ReplyDeleteI see your point where the fans do get the short end of the stick, but you also have to look at it from a coaches or managers standpoint. The home court advantage throughout the playoffs had been secured and really besides being able to tie the single season wins record at home there was nothing at stake. I know it may not be likely that LeBron would get hurt, but what if he did. Playing in a pointless game to risk losing him for the playoffs and a championship run would be devastating. People would lose their jobs over this. Even with a 1% chance he will get hurt you have to sit him and one game can mean a difference especially with the NBA playoffs lasting about 2 months. Every little bit of rest helps because when the playoffs start there is no such thing in close games.
ReplyDeleteI may have mentioned this to you but I seriously thought about going to this game because I wanted to go to a regular season Cavs game before the season ended. If I had gotten a ticket and gone to that game, I would have been upset like you! So I can definitely commiserate with you after what happened. Hopefully the next time you go to a Cavs game, you will get to see the full complement of Cavs' players, especially Lebron!
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