Reduced number of back-to-backs. Top-notch medical trainers and facilities. Lengthy All-Star break. This generation of NBA players has all the trappings one could ask for as professional athletes making millions and playing in front of millions worldwide. Yet, the NBA fashion show is in full force as boatloads of talented players enjoy the game in street clothes rather than entertain the fans.
Injuries have been a significant issue throughout the NBA season. It is exacerbated by All-Stars and well-known players missing tons of the 82-game regular season slate. I myself have attended games where star players like Kawhi Leonard and Jamal Murray were noticeably absent. What is the NBA going to do to resolve this seasonal issue? I plan on making an NBA Infirmary All-Star ballot to complain about it. The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic have lost the most games due to player injuries. The Sacramento Kings and the New York Knicks have been the healthiest teams this season. If I had to make an NBA Infirmary All-Star ballot, this is what it would look like.
Point Guard
Superstar and MVP candidate Luka Doncic returned after missing five games with a left thigh strain. Doncic has only played 57 games, and missing a third of the season can take you out of the race for end-of-season awards. His teammate, Kyrie Irving, has been out and is on my ballot. The good news is that Kyrie Irving has played in 82 games! The bad news is that the 82 games played are over the last two seasons. Of course, some missed games result from suspension due to Irving’s off-court interests. Right now, Irving is dealing with right foot soreness.
The pair of Doncic and Irving has only played nine out of 18 games together since the Irving trade from the Brooklyn Nets. The Mavericks currently sit in ninth place in the Western Conference. They are just a half-game ahead of 12th place. Kyrie Irving is a free agent this summer and will want the max. Yikes!
Sidenote: Losing games (in part) due to controversy? Double yikes!
The play Cuban is talking about…
— Belly Up Fantasy ? (@BellyUpFantasy) March 23, 2023
NBA not helping itself with the “NBA rigged” crowd with officiating mistakes like this one ?♂️
pic.twitter.com/kw5FpWPH7A https://t.co/yIiqDrKBy2
Former Irving teammate Ben Simmons is the backup point guard on my NBA Infirmary All-Star ballot. Simmons underwent back surgery this past summer, and now, as the Brooklyn Net with the most accolades, he is hobbled with more back issues. He has missed 14 games straight and counting.
Shooting Guard
Kevin Huerter is a pivotal piece for the upstart Sacramento Kings. A trade addition from the Hawks this past summer, Huerter averages 15 points a game on 40 percent three-point shooting. The Kings are rolling despite his absence.
My backup shooting guard is Collin Sexton of the Utah Jazz. Sexton has missed so many games over the past two seasons that people forget he was the prize acquisition in what turned out to be the Lauri Markkanen trade.
Small Forward
Superstar and prized trade deadline acquisition Kevin Durant was supposed to make his home debut with the Phoenix Suns several weeks ago. Then this happened.
Buying an NBA ticket to see Kevin Durant play basketball is tough. Durant has missed nearly 50 percent of the season.
Paul George is my backup forward (LA Clippers) and I wish he could have remained healthy the past few seasons. George sprained his right knee and will be reevaluated in two-to-three weeks. With only weeks left before the playoffs, his regular season is over.
Power Forward
Future Hall-of-Famer, LeBron James has been the equivalent of Superman for the balance of his 20-year career. His dominance (as well as his availability) culminated in him surpassing the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points ever scored in NBA history. The same night he broke the record, James landed awkwardly on his foot and missed the game’s ending. His foot is still a problem, as he has missed 15 of the last 18 games for the LA Lakers. If the regular season ended today, the Lakers would be in the play-in tournament vying for the eighth seed of the playoffs.
It feels like Lakers’ star Anthony Davis threatens to make this list every other play. But Davis is out there hooping, so I will go with Danilo Gallinari for my backup power forward. Gallinari was brought in to be a difference maker for a Boston Celtics team that lost in last year’s NBA Finals. A lousy knee has kept him out all season.
Center
My center would have been Karl-Anthony Towns, an All-Star who lost 52 games to a right calf strain. However, he returned to Minnesota’s lineup last night, scoring 22 points in a Timberwolves’ victory. I’ll instead slot New Orleans Pelicans’ star Zion Williamson at the Center. Did you forget that Williamson plays in the league? I don’t blame you. We have come a long way from the days of YouTube hype and Duke University highlights. He had an injury setback (hamstring) and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
My backup center is rookie Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has missed his entire rookie season due to a Lisfranc injury. Holmgren will technically be a rookie again next season and eligible for the Rookie of the Year Award. With the phenom Victor Wembanyama on the way, good luck with that.
Let’s celebrate the return of Karl-Anthony Towns!
Next Steps for the NBA
If injury time bleeds into the playoffs, expect the topic to impact CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) negotiations between the league and the players’ association. Possible remedies include rule changes, fewer games per season, and maybe more. Who wants to create an NBA infirmary All-Star ballot every year? We want to see the best playing the best.
Rest in peace to legendary Hall-of-Fame center Willis Reed who passed away this week at 80 years old. The Captain, as his teammates called him, won two NBA Finals MVPs and the 1969-1970 NBA MVP with the New York Knicks.
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2 Comments
Fans pay seasonal tickets to see the all-star play. Fans turn on their television mostly to watch the all-star players. I believe teams prolong their star recovery betting to have them available for the playoffs. The NBA should consider fining “professional” players who refuse to take better care of themselves to prevent injuries.
I cant find a reason to disagree with this. Especially Zion W. At this point just shut him down for the reminder of the year. Is he a bust yet?