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Today in #MadOnline: Load management is ruining the NBA

By Ian Levy

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 6: Kawhi Leonard #2, and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers look on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 6, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 6: Kawhi Leonard #2, and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers look on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 6, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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What are we #MadOnline about today? The loopholes that let the NBA’s best players take a day off without checking in with us first.

On Wednesday night, in potential Finals preview and match up between two of the best players in the NBA — Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo — noted lollygagger Kawhi opted to rest his ailing knee. I am boiling with rage this morning and I am certainly not the only one riding a tidal wave of unfathomable anger.

Fact: My knees were sore but I still took two Advil and made it to my regular Monday night pick-up run this week. The other neighborhood randoms were counting on me and if I hadn’t shown then Bob would have had to play so they had enough for five-on-five, and that guy is terrible.

Fact: Kawhi Leonard is being paid $32 million dollars this season and his job looks fun.

Fact: I am being paid significantly less than $32 million dollars this year and my job is not as fun as playing professional basketball.

Fact: I paid good money for NBA League Pass and on the rare occasion when it’s actually functioning correctly I should be able to watch whatever I want, or at least have it on in the background while I look at Reddit on my phone. If I can watch season 3 of Claws on demand, I should be able to see Kawhi Leonard play basketball on demand. It’s 2019 for goodness’ sake.

Fact: I might be coming down with a cold. If I stayed in bed all day, napping and catching up on season 3 of Claws, I’d probably be a lot healthier and more effective at work tomorrow. But, no, I’m here. On my computer. Scrolling through Tweetdeck and channeling my vitriol for the dozens of you reading this post.

Look, everyone is mad about load management today and like any good viral outpouring of anger, people are taking issue with different parts of this situation, and for different reasons. But everyone’s anger doesn’t matter. The only anger that matters is mine. This is about how the callous decision the Clippers and Kawhi made last night affected me, personally.

Yes, I was in bed before 10:00 p.m. EST last night so I wouldn’t have actually seen the game, even if Kawhi played. But by choosing to value his long-term health and the championship odds of the team over my hypothetical short-term enjoyment, Kawhi and the Clippers sent a clear message that I, as a specific individual, don’t matter.

Well, enjoy the big picture, fellas. Have fun on your deep playoff run and spraying Steve Ballmer with champagne at the parade. This guy will be spending his time and attention on entertainment products that treat me, personally, like the special gift that I am (as long as season 4 of Claws premieres before the playoffs start. Otherwise, I’ll probably still watch Clippers games).

Also. A Unified Theory of Basketball. light

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