Players shouldn't miss games just to rest, says Jordan

Michael Jordan offered his unflinching thoughts on National Basketball Association (NBA) players taking games off for "load management" in his latest appearance on NBC's coverage of the league on Oct 28.

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Chicago Bulls legend Jordan, appearing for the second time on the Insights To Excellence segment, aired after the Milwaukee Bucks-New York Knicks broadcast, said he is not buying the need for players to rest for the sake of rest.

"It shouldn't be needed, first and foremost," Jordan said. "You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove - it was something that I felt like, you know, the fans are there that watch me play.

"I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his ass off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket."

Jordan played 70-plus games in nearly every season for the Bulls.

The only exceptions were his second professional season in 1985-86, when he suffered a broken foot, and in 1994-95, when he made a comeback after his first retirement.