Got your load management right here

THIS AND that while wondering about all the fuss over Josh Gordon’s background.

And rap sheet.

Hasn’t everyone chilled out with some weed from time to time?

No?

OK, I grant that most everyday folks — or everyday athletes, for that matter — rarely fall asleep in the drive-through lane at Taco Bell.

Gordon’s a little special on that one.

For the record, by the way, this column is not being written with the aid of PEDs, or their opposite — any substance that would make me so calm that my forehead might smack the keyboard.

I’m way too fried to do much coolin’ down.

First off, I’m steamed over insurance companies in general.

You, too?

Some truly annoying sports items are under my skin, as well, and we’ll address one of those.

But first, what about my golf game?

LET ME say that I’m already in pain from a surgically mangled spine, so a couple of these beefs make the thought of setting my hair on fire sound like a decent idea.

It won’t replace golf, however, and I want to be healthy enough to play next spring — or someplace warm before that.

Now then…

You or I can order any type of back surgery right off the menu, including some that might leave you walking stooped for life, and no one will bother you with a single question — as long as you have valid medical insurance.

Same thing with the pain medication you might need afterward.

You can ask for anything from aspirin to a non-stop morphine drip or a boatload of Afghan poppies, and if some insurance company will pay for it…

Hey, no problem.

Ah, but if you hope to have an SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulator) implanted to block severe pain from reaching your brain — meaning addictive meds are NOT necessary — you’ve got a surprise coming.

And just to repeat, all I want is to play a little golf, and I’ll even quit walking to ride in an electric cart.

Yep, I’ve promised the doc that I’m done running marathons.

But just for a damn trial with this pain blocker, you need to do a session with a psychologist and then endure the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Index), a test that can throw as many as 572 questions in your lap.

Can’t let a serial killer slip through the net. Or anyone who’s just TOO happy.

Remember now, I could probably load up on opium just for asking.

Grrrr…

Sometimes the world seems backward.

RIGHT, SO you see why I’m a tad upset today.

There’s also a development in the wider sports world that’s annoying, too.

It’s about the NBA, and how you may easily get fleeced for your $139 seat — a scam that’s even worse for season-ticket holders.

Let’s say you’re a real hoops junkie, and you’re planning a March trip to Portland, and you’ve already got tickets to see the Blazers (Zach Collins will be back by then) against Memphis with Brandon Clarke.

Then three days later, you’re set to watch the Blazers face Houston.

In that Rockets game, however, there is no guarantee you’ll get to watch both James Harden and Russell Westbrook because, like more and more NBA stars, either of them might be taking the game off.

It’s called “load management,” which is another way of saying guys can rest whenever they want.

I’m sorry, but that’s just cheating fans who pay to see these guys.

Sad.

I remember when it was a badge of honor to play all 82 games.

In case you’re wondering, by the way, John Stockton played every game in 16 of his 19 NBA seasons — including all 82 in his final four years at ages 37 through 40.

I’m guessing Stock never thought much about “load management.”

It’s a laugh just thinking about it.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns for The Press appear on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Steve also contributes the “Zags Tracker” package on Gonzaga basketball each Tuesday.