Adam Silver has been facing a lot of pressure to manage injuries. Notably, the playoffs saw some of the superstars suffer season-ending ailments. Steve Kerr feels that’s largely the case because players can’t adjust to the modern pace with an 82-game season. It could prevent a sad story like Jayson Tatum and so many others this season.

Ultimately, it’s not in their control. During a recent podcast appearance for Yahoo Sports, Tatum admitted the injury was “a tough pill to swallow,”. But does he think Silve could have done something to prevent it? When it comes to Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard’s injuries, he feels their situation was different. “Dame had the blood clot, right, in his calf, and Tyrese had a calf strain,” he noted.

But when it comes to his injury, even the doctors said the same thing.

“You know, so the conversations that I’ve had um, and the questions that I’ve asked specialists and doctors there’s no like specific reason. It just is kind of an unlucky situation, which is unfortunate. That’s not what you really want to hear after you get injured because you’re like you know what could I have done to prevent this or you know was my tendon not strong enough and you know all the signs point tonight. You did everything you were supposed to. You just kind of were unlucky,” Jayson Tatum explained to Yahoo Sports.

Silver, defending the 82-game schedule, has said much of the same. The NBA commissioner doesn’t think the length of the season correlates to the number of injuries. “If that were the case, you’d think you’d have more injuries in April than in October, we don’t see that,” Silver argued. However, there’s another reason that doesn’t take the players into account.

The NBA business might keep Steve Kerr from getting his wish

Whenever Steve Kerr has spoken about shortening the season, he’s always had the player in mind. According to the Warriors head coach, “A lot of things have evolved, including the rules. It’s on us to adapt to that as coaches and as caretakers of the league,”. And a part of him believes Silver has the same concern for the health of the players.

But while he believes in the management, Kerr feels people might not wish to face a financial loss. “What I don’t have faith in is America’s willingness to cut back on a few profits here and there in the name of quality. I don’t think that’s in our nature in America,” said Kerr. And the NBA has some major commitments to fulfil in its immediate future.

The upcoming season will mark the first year of the NBA’s $75 billion media rights deal. The volume of games matters immensely to the partners who are investing such vast amounts. And it’s also about creating opportunities for fans to witness some of their favorite players. “It’s more opportunities for fans to go to games and to watch games,” added Silver.

In hindsight, freak injuries can’t be prevented by shortening the season. Fewer games would reduce the physical workload of players, but teams can manage their workload, at least for 17 games, after which players aren’t eligible for league accolades. So it doesn’t look like Kerr’s wishes will be met.

Do you side with the Warriors coach? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.