Tuesday night featured the second edition of the "MJ: Insights To Excellence" interview on NBC and Peacock. This series features Michael Jordan sharing his experiences and analysis of the NBA, his playing career, and other basketball topics. Yesterday's subject of discussion was the current infusion of "load management" and how he views it. This has been a growing epidemic in the game, where players will often miss games, despite being healthy, to increase rest periods and decrease the risk for injury. Jordan's take on it is as expected: that it should not happen, and he does not endorse the idea. Here's what he had to say, and how he would've reacted during his playing days.
Each Game Is An "Opportunity To Prove"
The greatest player of all time played in 78 or more games in 12 of his 15 NBA seasons, including nine seasons in which he played all 82. For today's game, this is unheard of. For example, LeBron James has only played 78 or more games in seven of his 22 seasons, and he has only played all 82 games once. Many will argue that James was saving himself for the postseason, where he's played 292 games, or 13 extra games per season on average. Jordan appeared in 179 playoff outings, or 12 added games per year, so that becomes a mute point. The most significant difference between Jordan's era and the current state of basketball is the appreciation for the paying fans, the will to continue to compete, and the desire to win every night.
Michael Jordan shares his thoughts on load management on the second installment of MJ: Insights to Excellence.
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 29, 2025
“I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove...the fans are there to watch me play." pic.twitter.com/h7g6krplDQ
Starting With The Easy Topics
When NBC hired the six-time NBA Champion and Finals MVP as a "Special Contributor," many were excited to hear the best to do it reflect on the game, his experiences, and the controversial topics surrounding the sport. However, after two weeks, many have been disappointed at Jordan's limited exposure, and the chosen topics have been non-confrontational. After week one, media members contested his stories, even though supporting evidence later was released that validated MJ's experience, and after week two, the masses were upset with asking a question that everyone already knew the answer to. With the NBA's current gambling scandal making its rounds, fans hoped Jordan would be probed about the subject.
NBC is going to microdose a single Michael Jordan interview for the ENTIRE season pic.twitter.com/5rxDbyqnoJ
— kevikev (@KevCoke6) October 22, 2025
Even though the interview may only be a lone sit-down conversation throughout the season, it's still invaluable insight into one of the greatest minds in the sport. Jordan's interviews will be highly scrutinized and must-see television as the year progresses.
Does NBC return with more challenging questions for His Airness, or will the entire series be tailor-made questions that don't break through the tense barriers surrounding the NBA?
