'They didn't respect the game': Charles Barkley has savage response to backlash over new NBA rule

The NBA’s new load management rules have been under intense scrutiny of late. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley believes the current players brought this reality upon themselves.

The recent knee injury suffered by Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has placed the spotlight on the league’s new rules that aim to curb load management. Embiid was ridiculed by fans last week for suddenly sitting out a marquee matchup against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets without prior notice. The reigning league MVP returned two games later against the Golden State Warriors and suffered a significant knee injury in the contest.

The new rules set a minimum of 65 games played for a player to be eligible for any NBA season awards. Embiid, who can only afford to miss four more games to remain eligible, will almost certainly miss the mark.

Barkley on Thursday appeared on “Inside the NBA” and decried the backlash from some fans and observers against the new rules. The 60-year-old pinned the blame on the players.

“These players got nobody to blame but themselves,” said Barkley. “The Players Association signed off on the deal. I thought it should’ve been 70 [games], honestly. … They didn’t respect the game and started resting and load managing — and the NBA had to do something.”