Adam Silver Addresses Tanking, Antetokounmpo & 65-Game Rule In Press Conference

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Victor Wembanyama (R) poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Adam Silver held a press conference to formally announce the league’s plan to expand.

This came after the owners unanimously agreed to explore expanding the league. Although the press conference focused on expansion, he also addressed several other topics.

Tanking was one of the biggest talking points outside of expansion. Earlier this year, Silver informed NBA owners that he would look into rule changes to restrict tanking. Silver confirmed that these changes are still a top priority for the league. He added that he spoke with all 30 owners, and they all agreed that some changes were needed to address tanking. Despite this, no formal vote was held to address the issue of tanking.

Silver was asked about a recent press release made by Giannis Antetokounmpo. In this statement, Antetokounmpo said that the Milwaukee Bucks tried to force him to sit the rest of the season against his will. Silver said that he wasn’t aware of the comment and was blindsided by Antetokounmpo’s statement.

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The players’ union has called for the 65-game minimum to win major awards to be abolished. The players’ union believes it’s unfair. They cited Cade Cunningham’s recent collapsed lung as an example of the rule failing. Some worry Cunningham may rush back to be eligible for major awards, which could put his health at risk.

Silver defended this rule, saying that the data he’s been given shows star players are playing more often than before the rule change. Despite this, he showed empathy to Cunningham and is open to exceptions for late-season, non-contact injuries like Cunningham’s collapsed lung.

If the current timetable stands, Cunningham will return on April 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers. This will be with five games left in the regular season. That’s the exact number of games Cunningham needs to play to be eligible for major awards like MVP and the All-NBA team. NBA.com currently ranks Cunningham in the top five in MVP voting.