Basketball on Fire

Basketball players are always on the lookout for ways to get “hot,” or at least seem to hope that they’ll do so. Getting hot is important, as it gives you an edge over your opponents. But there are also times when it’s best to just cool off.

It’s not often you see a basketball on fire, but the Grand Junction Fire Department says that’s exactly what happened at Bookcliff Middle School on Tuesday night.

The kids were able to safely evacuate the building as the firefighters doused the flames. The facility’s sprinkler system put the fire out, and classes resumed Wednesday morning.

But the incident raises questions about load management in the NBA, a league that just got back on track with attendance following Covid-19 and pandemic restrictions. It’s a slippery slope that could lead to teams sitting starters and stars for no reason other than they need rest.

Those decisions have a real impact on the game of basketball, and it’s time to stop the shenanigans. Fans don’t want to see their favorite players sit the bench for no reason, and neither do the owners of arenas, who can’t sell tickets if people aren’t in seats. It’s time for the NBA to come up with better, more thoughtful load-management practices.