The shortened season, schedule compression and COVID-19 have impacted the 2020-21 season on all levels, but it is difficult to find the direct cause of the overloaded schedule (taxing NBA campaign) and the sudden injuries of star players in the playoffs. However, when the two teams entering the championship game are two of the three healthiest teams all season long, it's hard not to associate the two.
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And the league is arguing about it.
Player leader LeBron James took it for granted to criticize the league's schedule, "The league didn't listen to what I said at the beginning of the season, but it's obvious that everyone knows what will happen. My original intention is to let the players play healthy and make the game better to watch. Injuries should not be considered part of the game of basketball."
NBA spokesman Mike Bass responded in a statement, "The injury rate this season is consistent with the 2019-20 season, and the proportion of starters and star players missing due to injury is almost the same as the past three seasons combined. Injuries in most games are difficult to deal with. But we also understand that players and teams often have to sacrifice for this."
What are the main causes of injuries in the playoffs?
Player trainers are also divided on the issue.
"Compressing the season is definitely the main reason for the frequent injuries in the playoffs." Joel Embiid's trainer Drew Hanlen said.
"A lot of people don't take into account that the players didn't get much rest time during the epidemic." said Justin Zormelo, a trainer who is a data analyst. He is responsible for the players including Paul George, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons. "Last season was too much. However, it stopped, and then hurriedly finished the regular season and playoffs in the bubble three months later, and then started the new season with two months of preparation. It can be said that it came and went in a hurry, and no one considered that they needed time. Come and rest, both body and mind need a break to balance."
Eight teams did not reach the bubble last season, including the Eagles, who reached the Eastern Conference Championship this season. Another 14 teams ended their games in August, including the Suns, who were preparing to play in the championship game. They got nearly 4 months of rest. The Lakers and Heat, who reached the championship game last season, were eliminated in the first round this season.
However, the Heat have been in poor condition throughout the season, and their elimination was not due to injuries. Lakers general Anthony Davis' Achilles tendon and groin muscle injuries were the main reason for the Lakers' first-round defeat. This is also what many people point to as being closely related to the compressed season. Sports injury analyst Professor Brian Sutterer said that soft tissue injuries are related to player fatigue and work. There is a very reasonable correlation between the quantities. However, regardless of the length of the break, Davis has suffered constant injuries throughout his career, which can be called a dean level. It is difficult to say that a full offseason can prevent the same situation from happening.
For players, what is really important is how to adjust, plan and execute. Whether it is training, rest, rehabilitation, diet and work and rest, the plan needs to be perfected and implemented. The 2021-22 season is about to start in October. As Zormelo said, adaptation and adjustment are also the jobs of professional players, and he also stated the reality straightforwardly, "The rematch agreement was also agreed and signed by the players, and they received their salaries. No one Put pressure on them."
How can teams avoid a wave of injuries?
Whether it is coaches, doctors or trainers, they all agree that the best solution is to involve everyone involved. Players, coaches, management and medical technicians, everyone gets consistent information, training, rest, recovery, injury prevention, load Management and on-field performance can tailor plans to each player.
Of course, most injuries are unavoidable emergencies. For example, the Nets injured two star players, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, in the playoffs. Compared with Irving, Harden has a chance to avoid it. Last season, the Rockets left the bubble early, but he entered training camp with an out-of-shape body at the beginning of the season. He was traded to the Nets and was injured after carrying a huge workload in the backcourt. After trying hard to play in the playoffs, he injured his leg. Although he came back in the second round, he was obviously less than 50% Harden.
Kevin Durant is a positive case for the Nets. The Nets have exhausted all options to protect the superstar who signed a four-year, $164 million contract. Durant missed the entire 2019-20 season. It can be seen that there is a strictly controlled game plan in the regular season this season. The average per game in the playoffs He played 40.4 minutes and scored 34.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists. In two of the last three games of the playoffs, Durant played more than 48 minutes and scored close to 50 points.
