Former NBA players who have long since retired and have no idea how the rigors of the modern game might compare to what it was like when they played sure don't seem to have a problem ripping current players for accepting the occasional day off.
The latest was Dennis Rodman, who took the low-hanging fruit of comparing former teammate Michael Jordan to LeBron James.
"You know what, LeBron's doing one thing that I always said that Michael Jordan never did," Rodman said in a recent interview with CBS Sports. "He never rested. He played every game."
Rodman is 55 and hasn't played since the 1999-2000 season. In his last six years in the league, he appeared in more than 64 games exactly once. But sure, he's entitled to his opinion.
Rodman was preceded by others, including player-turned-analyst Jalen Rose, who said recently that players who rest are "cheating the game."
It's a continuation of the classic eternal struggle between generations. But do know this: Resting players came into vogue thanks in large part to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich — one of the greatest coaches of all-time and one who spans generations.
When the Spurs were in the Twin Cities recently to play the Timberwolves, Popovich laid out the scientific and rational reasons for resting players while also acknowledging the obvious: If you're a fan, it stinks when players sit out.
But as much as the NBA is in the entertainment business, the bottom line for any team is winning. If giving players a few days off during the regular season keeps them fresher for the playoffs, it seems like a no-brainer.
