Iman Shumpert isn’t convinced the NBA needs fewer games. He thinks it needs a closer look at how players prepare for them and what happens once they’re on the floor.
The former Cavaliers guard pushed back on calls to shorten the 82-game season, arguing for better conditioning and changes to the way the game is played, according to a summary and video shared by Bassey on X.
Shumpert pointed to Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, John Stockton and Gary Payton as examples of stars who handled full seasons. His argument is that reducing the schedule shouldn’t automatically become the answer to the league’s injury problems.
He also advocated for more post play, midrange shooting and playing through contact, while criticizing flopping and exaggerated movements. In his view, changing those habits could be more useful than removing games.
That puts him on a different side of the discussion from Bill Simmons, who recently called for a 70-game season and accused the league of prioritizing revenue over player health.
Meanwhile, Chris Mannix has reported that Adam Silver likes the idea of 40-minute games, though that’s a separate proposal from shortening the season.
Shumpert’s position raises a fair question. If the NBA cuts games but leaves everything else unchanged, how much of the problem does it actually solve?
That doesn’t establish that his preferred style would prevent injuries. Nor does pointing to durable stars from previous generations settle what today’s players can handle.
But the discussion deserves more than a choice between keeping 82 games and cutting a dozen. Preparation, scheduling and the demands of the game all warrant attention.
Shumpert would start with the basketball. Others would start with the calendar. The NBA has plenty of opinions to consider, and a growing need for answers.
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