The NBA's schedule has become a hot topic, overshadowing even the usual chatter about tanking and load management. While the league, under Adam Silver, often emphasizes player safety, there's a glaring issue that could be addressed to enhance the game: the grueling schedule.
If the goal is to elevate the regular season's importance, then rethinking the schedule is crucial. The current setup, with back-to-backs and stretches of three games in four nights, is unsustainable. Expecting teams to perform at their peak under these conditions is unrealistic.
Take Wednesday night's game, for instance, when the Celtics faced the Nuggets. This matchup was set to be a highlight for fans, featuring two recent champions.
However, the Celtics were coming off a brutal stretch, playing the Lakers on Sunday, the Suns on Tuesday, and then hitting the high altitude in Denver on Wednesday. The toll was evident as Boston, despite their efforts, faded in the third quarter, turning a potentially thrilling game into a missed opportunity.
The solution seems straightforward: adjust the schedule. Whether it's shortening the season or reducing travel, something needs to change. The goal should be to ensure games are competitive and engaging, not marred by fatigue and scheduling mishaps.
The league has a chance to prioritize the quality of play over peripheral issues that dominate social media. Fans deserve games that showcase the best of NBA talent, not contests diminished by exhaustion.
Until changes are made, matchups like Celtics vs. Nuggets might not live up to their potential unless they meet again in the Finals.