Charles Barkley blasts NBA's load management problem

Charles Barkley Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley blasts NBA's 'disrespectful' load management problem

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/27/23

NBA legend Charles Barkley blasted the league's load management problem on Monday, calling it a "huge issue."

The Hall of Fame forward and longtime analyst talked with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's "First Take" to discuss the issue that has recently become a hot topic among talking heads and players throughout the league. Barkley told Smith that, while he "loves" commissioner Adam Silver, he believes he's gone "overboard trying to take care of the players."

Charles Barkley weighs in on load management in the NBA:

"You can't make $30, $40, $50 million and then sit out games. I think it's disrespectful to the game, I think it's disrespectful to the fans." pic.twitter.com/WLFTnhRCV7
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 27, 2023

Last week, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards spoke out against load management, echoing a sentiment brought up by the late Kobe Bryant in 2019. Edwards played in all 72 games during his 2020-2021 rookie season, 72 of the 82 contests during the 2021-2022 campaign and has suited up in all 63 of Minnesota's contests this season as well.

It was reported earlier in February that the NBA and NBPA were considering a rule change that would focus on reducing load management by making regular-season awards dependent on a player's number of games played. Talks are reportedly ongoing as two sides continue their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with a March 31 opt-out deadline for the agreement.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Monday that the NBA and NBAPA were "progressing in talks" on reaching a new CBA.

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