VIDEO: Doc Rivers Claps Back at LeBron James' Take on Load Management
By Scott Rogust
The Lakers-Clippers rivalry is beginning to heat up like the good old days! The Clippers have been under the proverbial microscope when it comes to the load management of star Kawhi Leonard. The latest individual to give their take on the situation wasn't a writer or analyst, but LeBron James. The Lakers star stressed that he feels obligated to play in every game for the young fans who come out to see him. On Tuesday night, a member of the media asked Clippers head coach Doc Rivers about James' comments, and he didn't hold back whatsoever.
Doc Rivers brought some heat when asked about LeBron's take on load management:
— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) December 18, 2019
"It's our philosophy. I don't know what theirs are. I think theirs is whatever LeBron says it is."
(via @MarkG_Medina)pic.twitter.com/FY4sr47oKA
Rivers isn't lying in his assessment. LeBron assumes the role of player and general manager, as evidenced during his second tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While many criticize the Clippers for load management, they forget the success this strategy had for the Toronto Raptors last season. Leonard used load management in order to preserve his body for the NBA Playoffs. The end result? An NBA Championship and NBA Finals MVP. Not bad if you ask us.
“Why wouldn’t I play if I’m healthy? It doesn’t make any sense to me. I don’t know how many games I got left in my career. I don’t know how many kids that may show up to a game that are there to come see me play”
— Audel Del Toro (@AudelDelToro) December 16, 2019
-@KingJames on Load Managementpic.twitter.com/J6rHHQpMMm
James may have opened up the floodgates prior to the Lakers-Clippers Christmas Day showdown.