The NBA may frown on load management, especially since it sometimes denies fans the opportunity to see star players in action. However, from a team perspective, it can be a necessary measure to keep players healthy and avoid burnout during the grueling NBA season.
This was a lesson that former NBA megastar Shaquille O'Neal learned the hard way in 2005. In an interview on "The OGs" podcast, he revealed that his coach at the time, Stan Van Gundy , did not allow him to load manage during the regular season. This decision, Shaquille believes, ultimately ended up costing their team, the Miami Heat, the championship title.
An injury that haunted Shaq until the postseason
Load management has been a contentious topic in the NBA for the past few years. Popularized by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, the concept involves intentionally resting star players, especially during back-to-back games or stretches of heavy travel. This tactic has proven effective in reducing injuries and fatigue, improving performance later in the season.
However, this strategy has come at the fans' expense, as they often pay top dollar for tickets to see their favorite players sit out due to load management. This has also caused tension between teams and the NBA officials who want to see star players on the court for marquee games.
In Shaq's case, he believes he could have used some time off to let his body heal in time for the playoff grind. Instead, SVG relented, and the result was nothing short of catastrophic for the former LSU ace.
"I love Stan, but we had a situation where we had the number one spot. I go to Stan and say, 'Let me sit out,' and he said no. He made me play. Then Jermaine O'Neal comes down the lane, and look, I'll show you this—I still got the scar. Look at that, still there (points to massive lump on his quads)," "Diesel" narrated .
"We're in Memphis, and Jermaine O'Neal comes down the middle of the lane. We were four or five games out. I wanted to rest, and then Jermaine comes down and hits me right here—splits it," O'Neal added.
Related: Oscar Robertson makes a strong statement against today's NBA players: "If you're making $50 million, there's no load management"
Tried to play through the pain
Despite the severe injury, the 15-time All-Star was keen on not letting the Heat's spectacular season go to waste and tried to manage the pain by using painkillers and other types of medication. It worked to a certain degree, but in the Eastern Conference Finals, against a defensively oriented Pistons squad that was defending its title, Shaquille couldn't play up to par, and the Heat lost in seven games.
"I couldn't let my guys down, so I kept playing, shooting it up, doing everything I could. By the time we got to the Eastern Conference Finals, I couldn't walk," O'Neal, who averaged 20.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in that series, shared.
Shaq admitted that to this day, whenever he sees the scar on his quad, he ponders what could have been if he had been fully healthy for that series. He believes they could have taken down the Pistons and won the championship against the San Antonio Spurs.
Related: "Did you really think I wanted to play for Pat Riley instead?" - Shaquille O'Neal once denied involvement in the Heat's firing of Stan Van Gundy
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