Kevin Durant says the NBA has a double-standard when it comes to teams resting players and that Commissioner Adam Silver is only concerned about superstars sitting out games.
"The truth about it is, it's only for a couple of players in the league," Durant told ESPN's Chris Haynes. "They don't care if the 13th man on the bench rests. It's only for like LeBron (James), Steph (Curry), (James) Harden, Russell (Westbrook). It's only for like five players.
"So you want a rule just for those five players?"
Silver sent a memo to owners last week warning of "significant penalties" if teams didn't adhere to the NBA's standing rule to provide advance notice when resting players. He also asked team owners to be involved when those decisions to rest players are discussed.
Durant, who has a written excuse from his doctor (sprained MCL, bone bruise) for missing the Warriors' last 15 games, says players sometimes need a mental break as much as a physical one during the NBA's grueling 82-game schedule. However, he completely understands frustration from fans when star players sit out a game.
"I also get if I was a fan and could afford to get tickets, and I'm circling LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook on my calendar, I would want to see them play live," Durant told ESPN. "I would be disappointed as well. I see it from the fans' perspective and the players' perspective. I'm caught right in the middle."
But Durant feels as though the NBA should hold all teams accountable when it comes to resting players.
"It's hard for you to just craft a rule out for the top players," he said. "I've seen guys that's not even in the playoffs resting, sitting out for the rest of the season. And it's nothing against those guys. I'm not trying to bash them or anything. (Phoenix Suns center) Tyson Chandler is out. They got him sitting out for the rest of the year. I'm sure he wants to play, but they're not saying anything about Tyson Chandler, so it's hard for me to really talk about this. It's not a league-wide rule. It's not a league-wide concern.
"It's only a concern for the top players."
