Michael Jordan Makes His Feelings Clear on NBA’s Load Management Row

Michael Jordan has weighed in on the ongoing load management debate that continues to dominate the NBA.

The new basketball season tipped off last week, beginning the start of a gruelling 82-game regular season.

For teams that go through the playoffs and into the Finals, the total could rise to as many as 104 by the time the campaign ends in June.

Last season, only 11 players managed to feature in all 82 regular season matches.

Basketball stars - particularly veterans - are starting to skip games not due to injury, but to allow their bodies to recover between matches.

But it is a trend that has divided fans and commentators.

Jordan, who played all 82 games in nine of his 15 NBA seasons, was critical of load management during NBC's Tuesday night broadcast.

Michael Jordan for the Bulls in 1997 (Image: Getty)

He said: "Well, it shouldn't be needed, first and foremost.

"I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt the fans are there that watch me play.

"I want to impress that guy, way up on top, who probably worked his a** off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket."

The six-time NBA champion was known for his relentlessness and ability to constantly perform.

Over his career with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan won five MVP awards and led the team to two separate three-peats.

The 62-year-old is also one of the world's richest celebrities with an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion and one of the most recognisable faces in world sport.

Michael Jordan recently returned to TV screens with NBC (Image: Getty)

While he has tended to avoid the media limelight in recent years, he recently returned to television screens as part of NBC's new series MJ: Insights to Excellence.

His comments on load management came during the second instalment.

Jordan continued: "You play basketball for 2.5 to 3 hours a day. That's your job. That's what you get paid to do.

"What are you doing the other 21 hours?"

"You have a duty that if they’re wanting to see you, and as an entertainer, I want a show.

"So, if guys are coming to watch me play, I don’t wanna miss that opportunity.”

Jordan also told the story of the legendary 'Flu Game' from the 1997 NBA Finals, when he was too ill to get out of bed until 90 minutes before tip-off.

Without a warm-up he took to the court, scoring 38 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to within one victory of the NBA title.

The Bulls won that final game as Jordan was named NBA Finals MVP.