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This is a question that has been floating in the NBA landscape for a while now. It is put on the carpet by voices that count and carry. While the Battle of the Playoffs is preparing to start, now with its “famous” play-in as an aperitif (eight teams are already on the bridge during it in order to try to win the last posts for the after-season), the regular season with its 82 matches imposes a real marathon before the race race begins in mid-April. For some, it's too much and it's anachronistic.

Steve Kerr is one of them. Last weekend, The Athletic recalled that the Coach of the Golden State Warriors militates firmly for a reform of the calendar. The Californian franchise completed its regular season on Sunday against the Clippers, before putting the cover on Tuesday against Memphis, snatching its place in playoffs. The former Bulls playmaker is so involved in this cause that he wrote a long email to Commissioner Adam Silver before the start of the 2024-2025 season last fall.

The other duel LeBron – Jordan

At the forefront of his arguments, the health of players. “”I am worried because I think we ask our players too muchhe had explained. The game has never been so difficult and intense at the highest level, match after match, evening after night. We have to take this into account. We all need to think about this subject, no doubt about it.”

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LeBron James, Steve Kerr et Steph Curry.

Credit: Getty Images

A few years ago, in 2014, the NBA had tested the shortening of the matches during the pre-season. The meetings only lasted 11 minutes per quarter instead of 12, evening a gain of four minutes (44 instead of 48) over the entire meeting. If such a principle was extended to the regular season, it would always last 82 games, but with a substantial economy in number of minutes on the whole campaign. But never this step has been taken.

In any case, such a solution does not convince grand-world. At the time, LeBron James reacted to such a possibility. It is an understatement to say that he was not excited. For the King, that is not the problem. “”It is not a question of number of minutes, but of number of matches, had advanced the Lakers star, still on the bridge a decade later at 40. The minutes, we don't care. You can play 50 minutes if you need. But we, as players, are too many matches. 82 matches in the season, it's really a lot.”

Dirk Nowitzki had abounded in the direction of LeBron James. “”I think we don't need 82 matches to determine what are the best teams of each conference. All this could go much faster“, had judged the German. What a certain Michael Jordan had responded by marking his disagreement:”I love these two guys, but as a owner who practiced this sport, I can say that I loved playing. If I had not played 82 games, I would have played anyway elsewhere, just for the love of the game. As a player, I never considered that the 82 matches were a problem.”

A form of hypocrisy

But times change, the game too, pleads Steve Kerr. “”When I played, it was not necessary to run at 9 meters to cover a shooter, Estens the Head Coach of the San Francisco franchise. Now it is essential. At the time, we played on a very small perimeter. Today is a large wide circle, and you have to cover the whole ground. Everyone plays faster. The figures show that our players travel much more land than 15 or 20 years ago. It's easy to check. I think, important information. This corresponds to what we observe in the field.”

According to a study with players who have played the All Star Game at least once, the number of matches missed on average each season by the league gratin was located around 10 games per year in the 80s. In the 90s? Always ten. Today ? Statistics are just established below … 24 games in the 2020s. An explosion of missed matches, either because of injury or … to prevent any injuries. These are, in particular, the famous “back to back”, two matches over two consecutive days, where the teams decide to save their leaders, depending on their age or their fragility.

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Victor Wembanyama in the jersey of the San Antonio Spurs, in February 2025. / NBA

Credit: Getty Images

The current system is therefore based on a form of hypocrisy: the league refuses to reduce the number of matches. Coaches, staff, players, franchises as a whole bypassing it by minimizing the number of days of activity. Aware of the problem, the NBA has reacted by imposing new rules since the 2023-2024 season. In particular, it prohibits teams from putting their players at rest outside the proven injury during matches broadcast nationally. And you have to play at least 65 games to be eligible for the end of the season awards, such as the title of MVP.

Money, the best (the only one?) Argument of the 82 matches

In 2014, Nowitzki was not mistaken in predicting that even if many players wanted a shortening of the regular season, he would not see it during his lifetime, for economic reasons. “”If they think it's the solution we can discuss ithad warned Jordan with his owner of the Hornets. But that would generate less money, for everyone. Are they ready to give up part of their income to play fewer matches? This is the big question, because you cannot have as much money with fewer matches.

Money is and will remain the nerve of war. In June 2024, the NBA finalized a new agreement for its TV rights up to $ 76 billion over 11 years. A golden contract, 2.5 times higher than the previous one, with a larger number of broadcasters, including Amazon, who entered the dance. “”It's just a matter of money, Admet Steve Kerr. We have to play fewer matches. Everyone knows. But yes, it's a matter of money. How much are the different parties concerned to lose?

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The diffusers, like NBC, weigh heavy in the NBA.

Credit: Getty Images

The eye on the NFL

Apart from the economic dimension, but it remains by far the most important in the current context, the arguments for maintaining 82 games are falling. For many, it borders anachronism. The NBA still has an eye on its big sister of football, the NFL, more powerful, richer and more popular. The NFL's narrative force is largely due to the brevity of its regular season, picked up over four months and 17 matches (a week was added recently) before the playoffs in January and the Super Bowl on the first Sunday in February. Thus, each match is an event and weighs on the fate of the teams and the whole season.

“Anyway, no one is interested in the NBA before January. Before that, everyone has only for the NFL“, Summarizes the star journalist of ESPN Colin Cowherd. Obviously reducing and provocative, but the NFL Phagocyte actually attention and interest in the end of the calendar year. To the point that the NBA, crushed, already had to give up one of its institutions, Thanksgiving Day, in November, since the NFL has decided to broadcast this day. NBA, she is now released and takes care of her turkey.

So, how many matches could the NBA descend to offer itself a slimming diet that has become necessary for many or even essential? 72, some say. About sixty, argue the most revolutionary. The league has been arcbouted since 1967, the year of its expansion, on its 82 matches (1). It is delicate to go against its traditions. Do not hold your breath anyway. With its new lucrative contract, the NBA will probably not return in the short term to its historical scheme. But the debate has not finished prospering, be sure.

(1) How does the regular season work?

Each team therefore plays 82 games, distributed as follows:

. Four matches against the other four teams in their division (16)
. Four matches against six other teams from their conference (24)
. Three matches against four other teams of their conference (12)
. Two matches facing all the teams in the other conference (30)

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