NBPA Calls For One Major Overhaul To A Controversial Rule

A few years ago, fans and the NBA were pushing hard for year-end awards to have minimum games played thresholds, and unsurprisingly, the league made the obvious change. That limit was set at 65 games, with players needing to appear for at least 20 minutes in 65 out of 82 games played to qualify for MVP as well as All-NBA and All-Defensive Team accolades.

While it prevents MVP candidates or All-NBA names from simply resting, a major question mark has come up around the rule with the recent injury to Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham. Clearly, Cade was headed for first, or at worst, second-team All-NBA, but now, an injury will prevent him from that, something that many feel is quite unjust.

That includes the NBPA as well, as they have called upon the league to make a major change, calling for exceptions to be made in cases of injury such as Cunningham’s.

This season, Cunningham led the Pistons to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and with the former No. 1 pick averaging 25 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds per game, he was a shoo-in for a major spot in the All-NBA teams at the end of the season.

Ultimately, this would be a smart move for the league to make, as Cunningham's situation isn't what this rule change was intended for, and while he may not be rewarded this season, a change could be coming in the next few seasons.