Add Karl Malone to the growing list of people frustrated by NBA teams sitting down their stars to give them a rest.

The 14-time NBA All-Star, who played at least 81 games in 14 of his 19 NBA seasons, told ESPN's Sage Steele that today's players need to play.

"If you don't have at least 10 years experience, get your a** playing. It's not work, it's called playing," Malone told Steele. 

"Besides, tell our underpaid service members and police and first responders to rest. Dammit, they can't."

The issue of NBA teams resting healthy players has become a heated topic in the past week.

The Golden State Warriors rested Stephen Curry and three other stars last Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs, while the Cleveland Cavaliers rested LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, although Irving and Love had lingering injuries.

Cavaliers GM David Griffin later told ESPN that the NBA was "not happy" with the team's decision to rest their three stars.