The 2024 NBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis is now over. The Athletic conducted a player poll during the All-Star festivities, asking players about the current state of the league, including the recent rule changes to the MVP race.
Jaylen Brown is not a fan of past MVP winners earning the MVP award after playing only half of the season
“I do believe that if you win any type of award, I think you should have to play a significant amount of the season. We’ve got guys who play half the season and win MVP. I’m… pic.twitter.com/HYhUorZrBb
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 19, 2024
NBA News: NBA All-Stars Sound Off on Rule Changes
MVP Rule Change
For the 2023-24 season, NBA commissioner Adam Silver introduced requirements for All-NBA and individual award selection. The rule states that a player must play a minimum of 65 regular season games in order to meet the criteria. Players must play at least 20 minutes in each game.
At first, the rule change was met with positive reception. The NBA had been heavily criticized for its regular season product, as stars continuously sat out games due to “load management”. This heavily watered down the regular season product for fans watching at home, and especially for those who paid to attend games in person.
However, the conversation has shifted since Joel Embiid went down with a lateral meniscus injury against the Golden State Warriors on January 30th. Embiid was the odds-on favorite to win the MVP prior to his injury, and many believe that he played through injury in order to meet the minimum requirements to stay eligible for the award. Having won the MVP last season, Embiid’s chances of returning to play this season are uncertain.
NBA All-Stars Respond
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, had this to say when asked about the rule during the All-Star media availability session.
“Definitely forcing players to play, even when they’re injured or whatever… But we saw what happened with Joel… I don’t know. I just don’t like it, how it forces players to play even if they’re injured, if they want to achieve something.”
Jokić won the award in 2021-22 and 2022-23, and is currently leading the race in 2023-24.
Many support the rule, however, including the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns.
“I feel like the rule is there for a reason. I don’t have anything to say against the rule because I love playing basketball. So I’m gonna try to play as many games as possible”, said Adebayo.
Towns stated that “you’ve got to play to get what you want. I don’t know. I’m a guy who plays, so it’s hard for me to be like, ‘Yo, (they should change it).’”
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics offered a less cynical perspective on the matter, addressing the pros and cons of the rule.
“It’s tough. Because honestly, I do believe that if you win any type of award, I think you should have to play a significant amount of the season. We’ve got guys who play half the season and win MVP. I’m not a big fan of that. But maybe 65 games might be a little too severe. Maybe they lessen it to 58 or something like that or something a little bit less.”
A Way Forward
Brown’s take is more in line with the general sentiment of NBA fans. A minimum total of games played to stay eligible is definitely needed to enhance the league’s regular season product. However, players forcing themselves to play through serious injuries is a clear negative for all involved.
Perhaps lessening the requirement, as Brown suggested, is the way forward for Silver and the NBA.
