I don't buy the "fatigue" factor

[RD2191]

It's not so much about game-related fatigue as the shortened summer break. When you're in the conference or NBA finals every year, you have two months less off than teams who didn't make the playoffs, 1.5 months less than teams ejected in round 1, etc.

But I agree that playoff games per se are not much more tiring than regular games. Players exaggerate that as well. The truth is, most players play hard every game. Very rarely is "effort" a determining factor in anything. Everybody tries really hard all the time. It's just the emotional significance of the playoffs that makes it "feel" more exhausting, perhaps.

what a take. most teams and players slack all season. unless your tim duncan you've probably taken it easy a few or more games in the reg season.

[Arcadian]

what a take. most teams and players slack all season. unless your tim duncan you've probably taken it easy a few or more games in the reg season.

No, you have it backwards. Most players try hard every game. Slackers are the exception, not the rule. And slackers.

[jjktkk]

You factor in players fighting thru injuries and deep payoff runs back to back, I can see fatigue being a factor.

[adidas11]

You also need to factor in the mental fatigue of having to take every team's best shot during the regular season and playoffs, when you're the defending champs.

I remember during the le defenses for the Lakers back during the 2000 - 2002 run where it seemed like every night, they would play against a team that would play lights out. They were so jacked for a game against the Lakers, they would produce their game of the season. Imagine having to be up for that every night during the NBA season grind.

[Mikeanaro]

We have a birthday here at home, I ate 4 sandwiches but it could have been 82 since there is no much difference.

[Perry Mason]

It's not so much about game-related fatigue as the shortened summer break. When you're in the conference or NBA finals every year, you have two months less off than teams who didn't make the playoffs, 1.5 months less than teams ejected in round 1, etc.

But I agree that playoff games per se are not much more tiring than regular games. Players exaggerate that as well. The truth is, most players play hard every game. Very rarely is "effort" a determining factor in anything. Everybody tries really hard all the time. It's just the emotional significance of the playoffs that makes it "feel" more exhausting, perhaps.

I highly doubt your claim. In elite athletics, victory is won at the margin.

Yes, on some level players "play hard" most games. But winning big regular season games and playoff games requires an athlete to push his body to the theoretical limits, both in preparation for the big games and during them. Read the recent Blake Griffin article people were posting about. The training he has been doing to be as explosive as possible and not overdo the minutes is remarkable. It's high level stuff, and he has carefully and consistently built his body up to perform at the new plateau he brought in the playoffs.

Effort and Energy may be overused as explanations for winning and losing, but they are still very real phenomena.

[SASdynasty!]

Every year- every team has played 82 games throughout the year. What is maximum 28 games more without back to backs? Afterwards they are going to rest for a lot of months.

Go join a basketball league when you're 35 years old. You'll understand.

[Ice009]

I highly doubt your claim. In elite athletics, victory is won at the margin.

Yes, on some level players "play hard" most games. But winning big regular season games and playoff games requires an athlete to push his body to the theoretical limits, both in preparation for the big games and during them. Read the recent Blake Griffin article people were posting about. The training he has been doing to be as explosive as possible and not overdo the minutes is remarkable. It's high level stuff, and he has carefully and consistently built his body up to perform at the new plateau he brought in the playoffs.

Effort and Energy may be overused as explanations for winning and losing, but they are still very real phenomena.

Got a link to that article? I wouldn't mind having a read of it.

[therealtruth]

You can't go 100% on all plays. You have to pick your spots. The best players figure that out.