Legendary Michael Jordan has criticised load management in the ongoing NBA. The former Chicago Bulls player said workload management should not be needed, first and foremost. There are 82 matches in the regular NBA season and many players have struggled physically to play all the matches with full fitness.

Jordan said he never wanted to miss a game as he always wanted to prove his mettle in the NBA and deliver the goods for his team.

“Well, it shouldn’t be needed, first and foremost,” Jordan said on MJ: Insights to Excellence. “You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his [butt] off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket.”

Jordan said he wanted to prove people wrong, who used to cheer against him during his heydays.

“Yeah, because I know he’s probably yelling at me and I want to shut him up,” Jordan said. “You know, he’s calling me all kinds of names. I definitely want to shut him up. … You have a duty that if they’re wanting to see you, and as an entertainer, I want to show. Right?”

Jordan recalled that he played with a sprained ankle in the early stages of his career as he wanted to win at any cost.

“I was going to find a way to get out there, even if I was a decoy,” Jordan said. “Well, once I got out there, you never know how — pushing yourself — you never know what happens, right? … Next thing you know, the emotions, the situation, the need of the team. All those things catapulted me to, ‘I’m going to gut this thing out.’”