Are today’s pro athletes soft?

[Jasmine]

In the “old days,” pro athletes took pride in their work ethic. I remember going to a Phoenix Suns home game against the New York Knicks. JR Reid gave AC Green a cheap shot that broke his jaw. Green was on his way to breaking the NBA record for consecutive games played. Green suited up and played the very next game!

Today I saw where Golden State coach Steve Kerr said that Steph Curry is “exhausted” and may need to sit out a game. This idea of “load management” is becoming more of a problem in the league.

Today’s players complain about having to play back-to-back games. This is happening even after the league spaced out its schedule to have fewer back-to-backs. Today’s players fly on charter jets and stay in the best hotels.

NBA players in the past didn’t have these luxuries, and sometimes they had to play on three consecutive nights!

I notice football doesn’t seem to have this “soft” problem. Not sure about baseball, although I doubt anyone will even try to break Cal Ripken’s record.

[GoCubsGo]

Games, load management etc. have changed over time, maybe or maybe not for the better. Baseball starters used to go every four days and some guys threw 30 complete games a season. Now if they get five innings and 100 pitches out of a guy it's a "quality" start. But the old timers (except maybe Nolan Ryan) didn't throw 100 mph and commonly blow out their UCL's. The 85 Bears are considered the best defense ever. I honestly don't know if they could compete in today's game. The size, speed and strength in the modern game are off the charts and just not comparable.

I don't think any one of us is any where near qualified to speak on the tolls that being a professional athlete takes on their bodies and psyche over an 82 game season plus playoffs. It's common in baseball which isn't nearly as grueling over a 162 game season. The NFL is only seventeen games, but they commonly rest starters when playoff seeds are decided.

And load management to position themselves for the playoffs is a legitimate strategy. That's where success is judged ultimately.

[Vrede too]

I agree. Pro athletes are more talented than ever, not counting the Steroid Era. Whatever it takes to get them to that level and keep them there is okay by me.

They're all motivated to play and understand that their retention and pay is performance based. However, injuries that become permanent debilities don't help players, teams or fans.

[O Really]

A toothless grin used to be a badge of honor among hockey and some football players. I don't think that's necessary for a good competition among tough people.

[Supsalemgr]

Games, load management etc. have changed over time, maybe or maybe not for the better. Baseball starters used to go every four days and some guys threw 30 complete games a season. Now if they get five innings and 100 pitches out of a guy it's a "quality" start. But the old timers (except maybe Nolan Ryan) didn't throw 100 mph and commonly blow out their UCL's. The 85 Bears are considered the best defense ever. I honestly don't know if they could compete in today's game. The size, speed and strength in the modern game are off the charts and just not comparable.

I don't think any one of us is any where near qualified to speak on the tolls that being a professional athlete takes on their bodies and psyche over an 82 game season plus playoffs. It's common in baseball which isn't nearly as grueling over a 162 game season. The NFL is only seventeen games, but they commonly rest starters when playoff seeds are decided.

And load management to position themselves for the playoffs is a legitimate strategy. That's where success is judged ultimately.

I believe there are several factors here. One is the contracts are so very rich that management has a desire to keep the athletes healthy so their use of the athlete watched closely.

The athletes do a lot more wight training which may make them "too in shape". This is more a situation with baseball. Flexibility is more important in baseball and too much weight training decreases flexibility, so we see more muscle strains. The emphasis on velocity with pitchers is an entire subject for review.

The point about the '85 Bears is well made. The athletes are so much bigger and faster and their collisions more violent. Hence more injuries.