Too many injuries

[rollie mass]

The length of NBA season ,the number of games,the elite level of athleticism,back to back games and,focus on high level defense
Tts almost impossible to make it through a season-then the number of playoff games and the physical play-
-what is it with the rash of hip injuries?

[Surferdad]

It's one reason why REST has become a hot topic in the league these days.  Training and conditioning helps, but injuries are going to happen.

[PaulP34]

The NFL is worse just imagine the NFL has series ?

[LGC88]

I think hip injuries came from fighting over screens. Celtics have a tendency to not go under the screens and get exposed at the 3 pts line.

[obnoxiousmime]

The way players are expected to play defense now takes a toll. That's why the regular season is now meaningless. The extra home game in the playoffs you get isn't worth the effort for the contending teams which tend to be older. Add in an extra games in the first round and it's just a lot of pointless basketball for the league (and by extension the players) to make more money and TV networks to air commercials.

It's not going to happen, but they should just have each team play opposing teams twice, once at home and once on the road. That equals 58 games. Each game would be more important and more of an event. It also eliminates the West/East disparity, since the West is deeper and they play each other more and end up with tougher schedules, which has repercussions for draft order. The first and maybe the second round should go to 5 games.

It would also be nice if they eliminated some teams so that the talent would be deeper. Right now unless you are in the top 5-6 of the lottery you have very low probability for a star. Teams are thus really pressured to totally tank to have any shot at getting one. With less teams, there would be less max deals to go around for players who everybody knows doesn't really deserve one but is getting it because a crappy team couldn't get anybody else and had to pay up.

It's a shame that a lot of casual fans don't even bother paying attention until the playoffs. That's just a sign that intuitively people know the games don't matter much. Look at the MVP vote. It's so meaningless now because everyone knows who the actual best player in the league is, only he rested during the regular season so he won't get the award.

The whole regular season/playoff system is strange to begin with. If only the playoffs matter and it's relatively easy to get in (over half the teams make it in the NBA), then what is the regular season worth to begin with? In the NFL, you can't mess around too much or you will miss the playoffs, and home field and byes are worth playing hard for. You can't say that about the NBA's system.

[Chris22]

The length of NBA season ,the number of games,the elite level of athleticism,back to back games and,focus on high level defense
Tts almost impossible to make it through a season-then the number of playoff games and the physical play-
-what is it with the rash of hip injuries?

Because the Cavs keep knocking down our players on drives to the basket with no foul calls.

[KGBirdBias]

Personally I think guys are playing TOO MUCH in the offseason. Nothing wrong with staying in shape or doing drills but the body needs rest. Then people say well how does a player get better? I coach AAU and rarely do we play full court. I have everyone doing drills that they need to work on. Kids play too many games and never work on their games. Some don't know how to make post entry passes, post moves, anticipate passing lanes, help defense, etc.

You get better by working on individual drills or 2 on 2 but full court games and summer league is too much. 2 on 2 you can work on pick and roll, shooting, dribble, drive, man defense, post up...but you aren't running up and down the court. This is why you didn't have all these injuries back in the day and these days they have better travel, personal trainers, chefs, better equipment, better shoes and the game is less physical.

The only answer is to rest in the offseason and keep your body fresh for the season. Just my opinion.