Magic Johnson: Load management in NBA 'hurts' fans

Magic Johnson sympathizes with NBA fans who miss out on seeing stars play in person because of load management.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend told People's Natasha Dye that while he believes there are benefits to resting players, "It also hurts the game."

He added, "It hurts those fans and the parents who have worked hard to bring their kids to the arena to see their favorite player, and then they're not playing. So it's a big disappointment."

Johnson encouraged the league and its star players to come to a compromise.

"I hope that we can get to a situation where when the stars know it's a big game, on TV, that they play," he said.

Commissioner Adam Silver responded to concerns about load management at All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City in February, saying he understands fans' frustration but doesn't see it as a huge issue for the NBA.