Stephen A. Smith SLAMS NBA’s 65-Game Rule — Is the MVP Award Losing Its Value?

 Stephen A. Says the NBA’s 65- Game Rule Diminishes the MVP Award: A Deep Dive into the Debate

Introduction: Why the 65- Game Rule Is Suddenly Everywhere

The NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award has always been about greatness, dominance, and impact. For decades, fans, analysts, and players debated what truly makes someone “most valuable.” Is it raw scoring? Leadership? Team success? Or simply being available night after night?

Recently, a new rule changed the conversation: the NBA’s 65- game minimum requirement for major individual awards, including MVP. The rule states that a player must appear in at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for awards such as MVP, All-NBA teams, and Defensive Player of the Year.

This rule has sparked heated debate across sports media. One of the loudest voices pushing back against the rule is Stephen A. Smith, who said the 65- game requirement diminishes the MVP award “to some degree.” His comments, made on First Take, quickly went viral, especially after being clipped and shared on YouTube.

So, is the 65- game rule protecting the integrity of the NBA? Or is it unfairly punishing elite players who miss time due to injuries, load management, or unavoidable circumstances?

Let’s break it all down in plain English.

What Is the NBA’s 65- Game Rule?

The 65- game rule was introduced to encourage star players to participate in more regular-season games. Over the last decade, fans and league executives grew frustrated with “load management,” where healthy stars sit out games for rest, especially during nationally televised matchups.

Why the NBA Created the Rule

The NBA’s goals were simple:

Increase star player availability

Improve fan experience

Protect the value of regular-season games

Encourage competition throughout the season

From a business standpoint, this makes sense. Fans buy tickets, jerseys, and streaming subscriptions expecting to see superstars play. When those players rest frequently, it affects the product on the court.

Stephen A. Smith’s Take: Why He Thinks the Rule Hurts the MVP Award

Stephen A. Smith is known for bold opinions, and this one didn’t disappoint. He argued that the 65- game rule forces MVP voters into artificial decision-making.

His Main Argument

According to Stephen A., MVP should be about:

Who was the best player in the league

Who impacted winning the most

Who dominated when they played

Not simply who showed up for the most games.

His concern is that the rule may exclude:

Players with legitimate injuries

Players who carried heavy workloads early in the season

Players whose teams carefully managed their health for playoff success

In his view, greatness should not be disqualified by technicalities.

The MVP Award: What Does “Most Valuable” Really Mean?

The MVP award has never had a strict definition. Over time, voters have considered different factors:

Team record

Individual stats

Leadership

Narrative

Clutch performance

Availability

The 65- game rule shifts the balance heavily toward availability, which changes how MVP is interpreted.

The Old MVP Philosophy

Historically, MVP was about impact. A player who played 58–62 games but completely dominated the league could still win or finish high in voting.

Now, even if someone is clearly the best player, missing too many games means automatic disqualification.

The Business Side of the 65- Game Rule

The NBA is not just a sports league—it’s a global entertainment business. With billion-dollar TV deals, sponsorships, and global fans, the league wants consistency.

Why the Rule Helps the NBA Brand

From the league’s perspective:

Fans want stars to play

Networks want stars in prime-time games

Sponsors want predictable visibility

Ticket buyers want their money’s worth

The rule pressures teams and players to avoid resting stars unnecessarily.

https://www.ap2k.in/2026/02/top-nba-championship-contenders-after.html

Why Players and Analysts Are Divided

Not everyone agrees with Stephen A., but many share similar concerns.

Supporters of the Rule Say:

Availability is part of value

You can’t be “most valuable” if you’re not playing

The regular season deserves respect

Fans deserve to see stars more often

Critics of the Rule Say:

Injuries aren’t a choice

The rule punishes players for being human

Teams may rush players back too early

Awards become less about excellence and more about attendance

This divide shows that the debate isn’t black and white.

Load Management: The Real Target of the Rule

Load management is the real issue the NBA is trying to fix.

Why Load Management Became Popular

Teams realized:

Resting stars can reduce injury risk

Long seasons cause wear and tear

The playoffs matter more than regular season games

But fans felt cheated when stars skipped big games, especially after buying expensive tickets.

The 65- game rule is the NBA’s way of discouraging strategic resting without banning it outright.

Could the Rule Lead to More Injuries?

One major concern is player health.

The Risk

If players feel pressure to reach 65 games:

They may return from injury too early

They may play through pain

Minor injuries could become major ones

Ironically, a rule meant to protect the product could harm the very players who create it.

How the Rule Changes MVP Conversations

The MVP race is now about:

Performance

Team success

Availability

This creates scenarios where:

A slightly less dominant player who plays 70+ games may beat a clearly better player who played 62 games

Narratives become more about “who qualified” rather than “who was best”

This is what Stephen A. means when he says the MVP award is diminished “to some degree.”

Fan Reactions: Mixed Emotions Across the United States

Across the U.S., fans are split.

Some Fans Say:

“I paid to see stars. If you’re healthy, play.”

Others Say:

“I’d rather see players healthy in the playoffs than burned out in March.”

This debate reflects a deeper question:

Is the NBA more about entertainment or competition?

Social Media and the Role of YouTube

Clips of Stephen A.’s comments spread fast on YouTube, X, TikTok, and Instagram. Short-form clips drive massive engagement because:

The topic is controversial

Fans love debating awards

MVP talk is emotional

Will the NBA Change the Rule in the Future?

The NBA often adjusts policies based on:

Player feedback

Fan reaction

Injury trends

TV ratings

If the rule leads to increased injuries or unfair MVP outcomes, it may be modified. The league has a history of evolving its rules when the consequences don’t match the intention.

https://youtu.be/MB1TIYVEt2A?si=j7Fq8xNPgU_uOYHu

A Balanced Perspective: Is Stephen A. Right?

Stephen A. isn’t saying the rule is useless. His point is that:

The MVP award loses some of its purity

The award becomes more about games played than dominance

Truly great seasons could go unrewarded

At the same time, the NBA isn’t wrong to want stars on the court more often. Fans deserve consistency.

The truth lies in the middle.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for the Future of the NBA

The 65- game rule represents a shift in how the NBA values regular-season participation. It sends a clear message:

Being available matters.

Stephen A. Smith’s criticism reminds us that greatness isn’t always clean, predictable, or injury-free. The MVP award has always been about storytelling as much as statistics. By adding strict requirements, the league may be reshaping the story of what “most valuable” truly means.

Whether the rule strengthens or weakens the MVP award will depend on how it impacts player health, fan satisfaction, and the authenticity of future MVP races.

One thing is certain:

This debate isn’t going anywhere—and fans will be arguing about it all season long.

FAQs

Q1: What is the NBA 65-game rule?

It requires players to play at least 65 regular-season games to qualify for major awards like MVP.

Q2: Why does Stephen A. Smith criticize it?

He believes it shifts MVP criteria away from pure excellence and impact.

Q3: Is the rule permanent?

The NBA can revise it based on results and feedback.

Q4: Does the rule affect player health?

Some believe it may pressure players to return early from injuries.

Q5: Is MVP about games played or greatness?

That’s the core debate—and there’s no single right answer.