LeBron James: Ditch the 65 Game Rule for MVPs

LeBron James is urging the league to ditch the 65-game rule, saying the "game is different" now with a faster pace and more possessions. The threshold, meant to curb load management, can end up punishing players for injuries. Nikola Jokić’s hyperextended knee and time missed has him teetering on awards eligibility, and stars like Giannis, Wembanyama and Curry face the same risk. Merlin sees the tempo spike as the root of the trouble. With 29 of 30 teams playing at least 100 possessions, soft-tissue injuries are more common and a rigid 65-game bar hands awards to who stays healthy more than who plays best. Expect intense debate and a likely compromise that protects marquee games while adding injury exceptions.