‘NBA is weak now’ – Luka Doncic’s LA Lakers absence sparks heated load management debate

Luka Doncic has started the season in MVP form, but his absence on the second night of a back-to-back has irritated NBA fans online. The Los Angeles Lakers bounced back from their loss against the Portland Trail Blazers in just 24 hours. The team beat the Los Angeles Clippers comfortably, winning 103-87. What made it even more impressive was that they did it without their superstar, Luka Doncic. It was announced before the game that Doncic would miss the clash due to back tightness. Seeing as it was the second night of a back-to-back, a lot of fans don’t quite believe that. The news led to a lot of comments from fans who are tired of the biggest stars engaging in ‘load management’. NBA fans say LA Lakers sat Luka Doncic to give him rest, many are irritated by the decision Load management has become one of the most hated terms in the NBA lexicon during the modern era. Stars will often sit despite being healthy so that they can preserve their bodies better over the course of an 82-game season. Naturally, no fan can know if a player is actually injured or not, but it can be a bit obvious at times and generally causes a lot of online grumbling. That is exactly what has happened in Doncic’s case, and it has caused many disagreements between fans on X. “My back would be tight too if I had to carry the entire Lakers org,” one fan wrote, seemingly sympathising with Luka. “Damn. Not 10 games in and load management has begun already,” said another, disagreeing. “Players just aren’t built for it anymore,” a third fan claimed. “All of you complaining, if it’s an issue and he aggravates it and misses more time, you’ll be the first to blame him,” a fourth fan pointed out. “The NBA is weak now, MJ played all 82 back in his day,” said a fifth fan. “Why don’t they just call it what it is? Just say load management smh,” a sixth fan wrote. This is a touchy topic among fans, although the league has done what it can to address the issue. The mounting injuries to NBA stars also have to be taken into consideration. It is unlikely that fans will ever be satisfied on this front, the superstars and their teams do have to look out for themselves. ‘My sense is’: Shams Charania says whether he thinks Miami Heat can get Kyrie Irving LeBron James gets humbled by Jalen Slawson in viral NBA moment in Pacers vs. 76ers ‘He feels terrible’: Steve Kerr says why Yaxel Lendeborg is ‘not happy at all’ despite Warriors win