Overview
- Kerr urged trimming 10 regular-season games, saying fewer back-to-backs would boost player availability, curb tanking and make the league more competitive.
- He emphasized the financial trade-off, noting that owners, players and partners would need to accept reduced revenue for the change to happen.
- ESPN Research reported teams averaging 115.2 points and players covering 37.1 miles per game at 4.29 mph, data cited to illustrate increased physical demands.
- Stephen A. Smith condemned the idea as hypocritical and impractical, pointing to soaring salaries and the NBA’s roughly $76–77 billion media-rights deals.
- Despite renewed debate, the NBA has not moved to alter the 82-game format in place since 1967, even as injuries have sidelined key Warriors in recent games.