Perkins Backs 65-Game Rule: “It Holds NBA Stars Accountable”

The debate surrounding the 65-game rule is shaking the very foundations of the NBA, turning the race for individual awards into a minefield of controversy and frustration.

At the center of the storm is the league’s firm stance against load management – a barrier that has already ruled out stars like Cade Cunningham, leader of the Detroit Pistons and a leading MVP candidate, sidelined by a collapsed lung just before the finish line.

Perkins: “It’s about fairness to the fans”

Kendrick Perkins, speaking on First Take, didn’t hold back:

This rule isn’t about awards, it’s about fairness to the fans. People spend their hard-earned money to see players perform, and then they show up and those players are out. Let me take you behind the scenes of what happens before the season even starts

Kendrick Perkins

According to the former center, there used to be a “secret pact” between franchises and stars: schedules in hand, rest games were planned well before the season tipped off. A system that, in his view, disrespected the legacy of icons like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett – players who took pride in suiting up every night.

Before the season starts, especially with some of these franchise guys, they sit down with the organization, look at the full schedule, and actually plan the games they’re going to sit out… This rule is meant to hold players accountable

Kendrick Perkins

Curry’s response: “It’s not the players’ choice”

But there’s another side to the story. Stephen Curry recently pushed back against this narrative with a completely different perspective:

I usually do everything I can to play every game. That’s the misconception about load management. It’s almost never the player saying, “Hey, I want to sit.” For those worried about this aspect of our league, it’s usually the opposite – and there’s a lot of science behind it

Stephen Curry

Curry’s view shifts the focus to medical staffs and “red zones” – data-driven decisions designed to prevent serious injuries, often against the players’ own will.

A growing divide in the league

The conflict is clear. On one side, the players’ union (NBPA) calls for flexibility in the face of unpredictable health issues. On the other, commissioner Adam Silver stands firm.

For the NBA, protecting the value of the product and respecting paying fans outweighs individual accolades. Fail to meet the threshold, and you’re ineligible for end-of-season awards – an ultimatum that turns the regular season into a battle of endurance.