Ex-NBA star Michael Jordan revealed his thoughts on the league’s load management issue. It has been a hot topic in recent years about how stars tend to sit out certain games to allow their body to rest. Critics and former athletes, however, disagree with the practice. Jordan is among those who are opposed to load management, and he didn’t shy away from talking about it during the second episode of “MJ: Insights to Excellence.”
Players during Jordan’s era didn’t have the luxury of practicing load management. Most players made sure they were healthy for most of the 82-game season. The former Chicago Bulls even played all 82 games of the regular season nine times in his 15-year career. Since it is now difficult for players to be available for most of the year, the NBA instituted a 65-game limit for players to be eligible for league honors.
When load management was brought up to MJ, he didn’t hesitate to say that it shouldn’t be needed.
“Well, it shouldn’t be needed, first and foremost,” Michael Jordan said. “You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his [butt] off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket.”
During his time in the NBA, Jordan made sure that he was always available to put on a show for the fans. Even when he had food poisoning in Game 5, known as the “Flu Game,” of the 1997 Finals, he still put on his jersey and led the Bulls to a 90-88 win. The six-time champion had 38 points, seven rebounds and five assists to give Chicago the 3-2 series lead.
Michael Jordan played through injury to make a name for himself
Michael Jordan has proven he’s mentally and physically tough. During the latest edition of his NBC special, Jordan revealed that he insisted on playing through a sprained ankle. The reason was that he wanted to make a name for himself.
A veteran teammate urged him to sit out a game, but the Hall of Fame guard insisted on suiting up.
“I twist my ankle and I had a teammate. He says, ‘You twist your ankle, young fella, come over and sit with me,’” MJ said.
Michael Jordan shares his thoughts on load management on the second installment of MJ: Insights to Excellence.
“I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove…the fans are there to watch me play." pic.twitter.com/h7g6krplDQ
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 29, 2025
“I said, ‘No, man. I’m trying to make a name for myself. There’s no way I can sit. You know, I need to get out there and show what I’m capable of. I want to play. I want to win. I want to make an impact’.”
Jordan said that he felt that he always needed to be with his teammates if he was capable.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
