The message has been sent by "The Mailman" himself and the NBA made the call to make the message tattooed on every team's minds.
The NBA expressed their dismay after Cleveland Cavaliers decided not to field a healthy LeBron James and the rehab-bitten Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in their 108-78 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The decision of coach Tyronn Lue was the second instance within the past week after the Golden State Warriors did the same March 12th against the San Antonio Spurs.
The difference, though, is the Cavaliers opted to give Irving and Love rest as they are recuperating with their injuries. The 6-foot-3 point guard tightness on his knee but played through it in their win against the Utah Jazz as reported by Akron Beacon Journal. Cavs won that game, 91-83 led by LeBron's 33-10-6. On that same game, Love had his first game back from his estimated month-long knee injury and finished with 10 points and 9 boards in 20 minutes of play.
For the Warriors, on the other hand, just decided to rest his starters Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green with leading scorer Kevin Durant already out due to a knee contusion. They started with Zaza Pachulia, Kevon Looney, Matt Barnes, Shaun Livingston and Patrick McCaw and eventually lost to the Spurs, 107-85 through Patty Mills' 21 points.
Sports World News previously reported that Gregg Popovich's squad also had health concerns to their main guns with Dejounte Murray nursing a groin tightness, Tony Parker with back stiffness, Kawhi Leonard was still under the concussion protocol and LaMarcus Aldridge diagnosed with Heart Arrhythmia.
"Yeah, they were not happy," Cavs GM David Griffin told ESPN in the interview when asked about his conversation with the league office via phone. He also elaborated that they technically just rested one guy (LeBron) for the game since the other are recovering from injuries.
It was also said on the same article that Tyronn Lue decided to sit LeBron because he don't want to have his star player play solo. The ploy, however, isn't as bad as it will turn out as the bench of the Cavs looks better than the bench of almost all of the teams this season.
Hall of Famer Karl Malone also voiced out his insights about teams resting their players in a nationally-televised games. His response is similar to what the league felt.
"If you don't have at least 10 years experience, get your ass playing," said the former star forward of the Utah Jazz. "It's not work - it's called playing. Besides, tell our underpaid service members and police and first responders to rest. They can't," added the 53-year old Louisiana Tech alum who was known for his very physical approach to the game.
Bleacher Report pointed out that back in the heyday of Malone, players avoided being absent at the game as much as possible. Too bad, the hard-earned tickets may just disappoint you one of these days.
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