With Joel Embiid sidelined due to a left meniscus injury, the topic of the NBA's load management rule has been a hot-button topic.
The Philadelphia 76ers star left the game against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 30 and it was revealed over the weekend that he'll have surgery, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
When Embiid suited up against the Warriors, he didn't appear to be playing at 100%, and in turn, it led to many players, fans and others pushing back on the NBA's load management and minimum games required for league honors rules.
The new rule says a player must suit up for at least 65 regular-season games to win an award or make an All-NBA team, but this, mixed with pushback for Embiid missing time due to injuries, has led to players calling out the media for criticizing Embiid.
Golden State forward Draymond Green spoke candidly on the topic during an episode of 'The Draymond Green Show' after Embiid's injury, stating that players are "getting punished for being injured."
He specifically cited that Embiid was already injured as his "knee was already swelling up," and that Green doesn't believe teammate Jonathan Kuminga falling on the 76ers star led to the torn meniscus.
Green's comments primarily focused on statements made by ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith.
.@Money23Green responds to @stephenasmith ️ pic.twitter.com/PUZCaB7wXt
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) February 5, 2024
It's a strong response from Green, and he hasn't been alone in pushing back at the league and media. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, ripping the media and TV personalities while calling on them to publicly apologize to Embiid.
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