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11/22/2024 06:28:30 am

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Kevin Love Says Shortened Seasons Would Alter NBA History


One controversial topic circulating around the NBA of late has been whether to shorten the 82-game season to give players more rest. But Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love doesn't like the idea and feels it would have an impact on the history of the NBA.


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ESPN recently released an inside scoop of the negative effects an 82-game season could potentially have on players. The 2014-15 season will consist of over 500 back-to-back games where teams must travel overnight and prepare for its next match the following day.

The process certainly alters the sleeping habits of players, which ESPN says could have a negative effect on players' health.

"A study shows that getting four or fewer hours of sleep a night in a week's span -- something that can occur when a team is forced to play four games in five nights -- can deplete a man's testosterone levels as if he's aged 11 years," reports ESPN.

Furthermore, lack of sleep is capable of slowing down reaction time by as much as half a second. That means that not only are players' health somewhat at risk during long 82-game seasons, but a player isn't nearly as effective on the court when sleep deprived, which would have a negative effect on the team's organization as well.

But Kevin Love spoke with Business Insider on Thursday about his disinterest in the NBA shortening its 82-game schedule. Love mentions that shortening the season would affect the history of the game in terms of statistical accomplishments and milestones among players.

"I always am a guy who looks back at some of the all-time greats," Love says. "They went through 82 games. When you compare - look at a guy like Kevin Durant. If he doesn't have 82 games, will he ever be able to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time scoring list?"

The comparison between players of different generations within the NBA would become seemingly difficult to measure. It'd be as if the NBA suddenly added a 4-point line, which would drastically have an impact on statistical basketball history.

The NBA schedule hasn't been altered since the 1967-68 season - in which the NBA actually increased the schedule from 81 games to 82 - making the concept older than the NBA logo itself. 

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