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Would a 65-game rule devalue awards? Stephen A. & Perk debate | First Take
On First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins debate whether a 65-game rule would devalue awards. ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: #ESPN #NBA
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Stephen A. on Wembanyama caring ‘deeply’ about NBA MVP 🏆
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@THE_Aero88
April 3, 2026 at 6:01 pm
If you’re a player who’s mad at this rule, blame those load managing. Be it by their choice or a coach or owner decision.
@zp1191
April 3, 2026 at 6:10 pm
Zion might sneak in 🤣. He’s at 60 games
@MeatHead1933
April 3, 2026 at 6:16 pm
You know it’s legit when the entire comment section agrees with Stephen A
@mr.anderson3694
April 3, 2026 at 6:29 pm
Look how GS has been sitting on Curry and now he’s coming back when the team is basically done. It’s insulting.
@mazengwe28
April 3, 2026 at 6:51 pm
He is not campaigning for a award.
@mr.anderson3694
April 3, 2026 at 7:06 pm
@mazengwe28Didn’t say he was, but he has a history of doing this. If you’re legitimately hurt that’s one thing. Sitting out stretches of key games because you’re 90-95 % instead of 100% is wrong and is exactly what is ruining basketball.
@nathanhundley5347
April 3, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Sas nailed this take. That is why the rule exists at all
@matthewpejkovic183
April 3, 2026 at 6:34 pm
The rule is necessary for star players to actually play. Maybe an injury exception can be applied for, but other than that 65 games is not a big ask.
@chickens3521
April 3, 2026 at 6:38 pm
I dont see the issue if anything make it 60-62 games but even then missing 20-25 games is kinda alot I understand injuries happen but I hate to say but load management caused this so keep it the same or make a slight adjustment to 60-62 game s
@JA-Q28
April 3, 2026 at 6:40 pm
Two thirds is sensible.
Can’t be having these
Primadonas sitting out or managing loads.
@colinrko
April 3, 2026 at 6:44 pm
What bs , the 65 game rule is the stupidest rule ever, imagine not having the elite and then a bunch of donkeys making first team all nba is just a joke , so you’re telling me if **touchwood** Wemby misses 3 games due some serious family emergency or injury he won’t make All Defensive Teams and win DPOY rather someone completely different wins it?
If someone like Jokic has one good game , that’s equivalent to 4 good games of another player who’ll make all nba because of this rule.
@Xeenier
April 3, 2026 at 6:46 pm
People defending this rule are crazy😂
@Mercury-zg2pb
April 3, 2026 at 7:19 pm
The voters have rarely ever gotten voting wrong before this reward. People complained about the Embiid MVP but people didnt complain because he was load managing it was because Jokic was the best player on the best team in his conference putting up all time numbers. This rule is hurting players who miss games for injuries that they have no control over. Theres clearly been an uptick in injuries due to the higher pace and space of the game. You cant play Popovich for this because Tim Duncan played a minimum of 60 games in full non lockout seasons and he played 60 in his 19th year. Prior to that his minimum played was 66.
@nocap3376
April 3, 2026 at 7:33 pm
stephen a. is an idiot …. WE WILL be there for his downfall.
@DaDom80
April 3, 2026 at 7:51 pm
You know this show is getting paid by rich losers to not blame ownership 😂😂😂😂😂
@TDGRHYTHM
April 3, 2026 at 8:16 pm
Now we wanna change it 😂😂 before We wanted some type of rule to prevent load managements now we trying to change the narrative
@danielsweeney1733
April 3, 2026 at 8:20 pm
I remain unclear how an MVP or All-NBA player can be someone who only played 75% of the games
@LewisArmstead-x1t
April 3, 2026 at 8:40 pm
I couldn’t care less about the rule. I love it actually. I went to pacers vs warriors back in January last year. Worked 72 hrs that week. Drove in a literal blizzard 5 hrs to get there RIGHT AFTER I CLOCKED OUT just for Steph to be ruled out for rest…. Worst part was that he played the next game in Detroit 🥴
@MistaP13
April 3, 2026 at 8:59 pm
It’s not just folks that pay money at the games but also people who pay the exorbitant prices for all these streaming services that don’t get to see stars play in numerous games.😳
@mj23goat3
April 3, 2026 at 9:10 pm
Ya’ know how all of these last two soft af gens are always trying to tell us GenXers and later generations how they’re just as tough as we were? Now watch as this whole comment section is filled with Millennials/Zoomers crying about how the 65 game rule “isn’t fair”, thus proving us _oldheads’_ point that they’ve been brought up to think they should get awards without even participating.
@hub3rty
April 3, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Just put it down to 62 games take it or leave it
@chrischan6211
April 3, 2026 at 9:50 pm
Joel Embiid was dancing on stage while supposedly being injured. Yeah, the players brought this upon themselves. 😂
@kimjonghyun3471
April 3, 2026 at 9:52 pm
they should make the rule for its purpose missing games last minute.if a player is actually injured and misses say 30 games they usually arnt voted anyway. the nba voters are very fair in terms of picking the legit performers overall contrary to popular belief.
if u wanna penalize for missing games unannounced or just few days before a rule like saying a team must submit a public 10 day advance on missed games. That way if its a serious longterm injury they are only docked for like 3-4 games instead of 20+ games. if they did this i wouldnt mind if they had a 10 game missed unannounced rule. the problem is these teams wanna randomly rest players on a whims notice just bc they tired or have a tiny nag from a game before.
@karandesai9490
April 3, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Lakers in my team but I don’t live LA. I was visiting LA last week and wanted to see a game. Since it was wizards I didn’t buy the tickets because I knew someone is going to sit. Now if people are resting for injuries that’s fine but load management has gone out of control. Most people can’t afford playoff tickets and because players didn’t care about average fans that’s why rule was implemented. So I don’t really hate it when they don’t make it to first team all nba or second or third because they would lose money. Because clearly they don’t care about our money
@roddarodda2080
April 3, 2026 at 10:13 pm
Let em cry about their favorite player not making it and give the real ballers that show up consistently the awards. There are plenty of quality players out there that can finally get some shine.
@mrdondada79
April 3, 2026 at 10:42 pm
Bigger faster stronger and more skilled 😂😂😂😂
@harryegen1405
April 3, 2026 at 10:47 pm
I think they should keep the rule, but a fair point was made before that players should (to an extent) be allowed to appeal if they barely miss the threshold due to LEGITIMATE injuries.