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Doc Rivers shuts down LeBron James’ comments about the Clippers load management

Ryan Snellings|
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 11: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a call by an official during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 11, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 11: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a call by an official during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 11, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

After LeBron James made comments against load managing, Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers responded in the best way possible.

When LeBron James gave comments regarding load management the other day, the internet wasn’t happy. His comments seemed like a thinly veiled shot at the LA Clippers who are practicing load management (or whatever they call it now) with Kawhi Leonard. Head coach Doc Rivers wasn’t having it.

If you missed the comments from LeBron, here is what he said on Sunday.

"“Why wouldn’t I play if I’m healthy? It doesn’t make any sense to me, personally. I mean, I don’t know how many games I’ve left in my career. I don’t know how many kids that may show up to a game that are there to see me play.”"

So, he will play if he is healthy? Here’s a headline from March. “LeBron James Out vs. Pistons Due to Load Management, Groin Injury.” Sure, he may not have been 100% healthy, but is that any different from Kawhi Leonard who has a degenerative knee issue? I think not.

That’s beside the point. When asked about LeBron James’ comments on Tuesday night, Doc Rivers shot back at the Lakers’ star.

"“It’s our philosophy. I don’t know what theirs are. I think theirs is whatever LeBron says it is, to be honest. That makes a lot of sense to me. I like what we are doing, and I think it’s the smart thing to do. Who knows? We’ll see at the end.”"

Get ’em Doc! Rivers is right though. Teams can have different philosophies and while it’s hard to argue against the Lakers’ impressive 24-4 record, it’s also hard to see if load management has been effective when it’s only December.

In order to help assure he is ready for the playoffs, the Clippers will continue to rest Leonard when necessary. The Lakers say they won’t follow the same philosophy, but with Anthony Davis already looking banged up not even thirty games in, perhaps they should reevaluate.

No matter what LeBron thinks, the Clippers need to stay focused. They have already played in six back-to-backs with a seventh coming this week. With such a front-loaded schedule and so many players have already had minor injuries, load managing only makes sense. LeBron needs to worry about LeBron and as Doc said, we will see how it shakes out at the end.

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