Basketball: NBA commissioner Silver disagrees with premise 'superstars should play more'

SALT LAKE CITY – National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver called for the celebration of the diverse background of the league before All-Star Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Silver noted only 20 international players were in the league 30 years ago, with 120 on NBA rosters at the 2023 All-Star break.

“The dramatic number of international players now in the league, and probably as much player movement as we’ve had any time – over 10 per cent of the entire league was moved before the trade deadline,” Silver said of his positives from the NBA season.

“Interestingly enough, our top five scorers in the league are from five different countries.”

Perennial All-Stars and former Nets Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) and Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)

were both traded,

and while Silver has spoken out before against stars calling their shots or forcing trades, he seemed to flip opinions on Saturday.

“In our current collective bargaining agreement, there are rules against demanding a trade,” Silver said, calling it “corrosive behaviour”.

“Lots of players, for a long time, behind the scenes have asked for trades. Strongly against anything said publicly.

“I agree a certain amount of player agreement is good, but it has to be done in partnership.”

He added that the NBA and players’ association are having an “ongoing conversation” about load management and the decision to rest All-Stars during the season. He said shortening the schedule was not on the table right now.

He did admit talks involving a possible in-season tournament, with the potential for inviting international teams to participate, could be a win-win answer to both questions.

“We’re working collectively with our doctors, our data scientists – if it means at some point we’re better off elongating the schedule to avoid back-to-backs, we’d consider that,” Silver said.

“Looking at the data... there’s a fair degree of randomness when players get injured. Talking to players, there’s a realisation this is a year-round pursuit now. Part of injury avoidance is how players are treating their bodies year-round.”

He added that he is “not sure” if stars are playing enough, and believes fans are resoundingly delivering the message through attendance and viewership ratings that they are more than satisfied with the product.

“The premise... suggests they should be playing more,” Silver said. “Having been in the league for a long time, having spent time with a lot of our great legends, I’m not necessarily sure that’s the case.

“The approach of... play through all kinds of aches and pains on a regular basis. The suggestion that these men somehow should just be out there more I don’t buy into.

“The fan aspect, that certain players aren’t going to participate in a percentage of games... I don’t think the issue is what some quite suggest...

“I look at the data and say, ‘We’re likely going to break the record this year for tickets sold. We’re likely going to break the record for season tickets.”

Meanwhile, injured captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo missed All-Star events on Saturday, and were doubts for Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, the result of which was unavailable at press time. REUTERS, AFP