The Miami Heat are a little different than the rest of the NBA.
When asked if the Heat would alter their rotation due to extensive play, head coach Erik Spoelstra instantly shut down any suggestion of load management.
Erik Spoelstra, when asked if playing an overtime game yesterday on the front-end of a back-to-back will impact his rotations tonight in Minnesota:
"We're not doing load management, we're the Miami Heat."
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) October 27, 2019
Load management, which essentially allows players to sit out games in order to rest their bodies, has become a popular trend in the current age of the NBA.
The Toronto Raptors worked the strategy to perfection last season with league titan Kawhi Leonard. The All-Star sat out multiple games throughout the regular season to prevent injury and preserve his body for the long postseason. As a result, the Raptors won the 2019 championship thanks to the Finals MVP’s stellar play.
However, while load management can benefit players and teams, the infamous strategy rips off fans. When superstars decide to sit out marquee games, especially on the road, fans don’t get what they pay for and television viewers don’t get what they want to watch.
Despite the growing pattern in the league over the last few years, it doesn’t appear that the Heat will be joining in on the trend. As a matter of fact, Spoelstra’s comments insinuate the franchise may be looking to proudly stand out as a team that can thrive without load management.
The Heat take on the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.
