In his annual All-Star weekend news conference, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed satisfaction with the league's new 65-game policy, stating that the intended effect of increasing player participation and reducing injuries is being met this season.
Under the new rule, players must generally play in at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards such as MVP, All-NBA Team, Defensive Player of the Year, and others. This change has already impacted several players, with notable figures like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jimmy Butler facing eligibility concerns due to missed games.
While some players like Denver's Nikola Jokic have expressed concerns about the pressure to play through injuries, others such as Boston's Jaylen Brown support the idea that award winners should have significant season involvement. However, suggestions have been made to potentially adjust the game threshold to a slightly lower number like 58 games.
In other news, the future of the G League Ignite program, designed to provide an alternative to college for player development, appears uncertain due to changes in college sports rules allowing players to benefit from their Name, Image, and Likeness.
The NBA is set to hold another regular-season game in Paris next season, with expectations that the San Antonio Spurs, possibly featuring French talent Victor Wembanyama, could participate. The league is still finalizing details about the venue for the 2024-25 game in Paris.
Addressing player-referee relationships, Commissioner Silver acknowledged that there are strains in communication and highlighted the need for improved dialogue and mutual respect between players and officials. Emphasizing a focus on enhancing this aspect of the game, Silver expressed optimism about making progress in fostering better interactions between players and referees.
