Count Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley among those who refuse to give into the new school notion that it’s okay to rest players. Beverley, a bit of a throwback in words and deeds during his career, insists that the strategy of resting players is a “disgrace” to the NBA, as Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com explains:
“I think that’s bulls—,” Beverley said after the Rockets’ 137-125 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. “I think that’s a disgrace to this league. I think that fans deserve better.
“I could care less about coaches asking players to rest or not. It’s up to you to play or not, and if you don’t, you’re disrespecting the game. And I don’t believe in disrespecting the game, because there was a time where I wasn’t playing in the NBA and I was trying to get here. So me resting, I feel like, is disrespecting me, disrespecting the name on the front of the jersey and disrespecting the name on the back of the jersey.”
Precautionary resting of players has become a hot-button issue recently, in part due to the Golden State Warriorsand Cleveland Cavaliers opting to rest stars for nationally televised Saturday night games. Commissioner Adam Silver responded by sending a memo to the league’s owners, urging them to be involved in the decision-making process regarding precautionary resting, calling it “an extremely significant issue for the league” that impacts “perception of our game.”
The Rockets have not followed the trend of resting their key players. MVP candidate James Harden and veteran forward Trevor Ariza, who both rank among the NBA’s top 10 in minutes played, have not missed a game this season.
Harden is dealing with a sore wrist, which he had wrapped in tape as he left the Toyota Center on Sunday evening. Asked if he planned to rest or play if he’s able, Harden simply smiled.
