NBA Greed

[slightly biased bias fan]

Another achilles tear for a star player in their prime, when will the NBA admit they are playing too many games?

This is all round greed too. The players had the opportunity to broach this serious issue in the latest CBA negotiations and they obviously had no objections.

The NBA had this issue before the play in, & the in season tournament.

[Moranis]

It isn't the games played that is the issue as these sorts of injuries really have only become more commonplace recently and the games played hasn't changed and in fact the schedule has gotten easier with less back to backs and more time off.

[slightly biased bias fan]

It isn't the games played that is the issue as these sorts of injuries really have only become more commonplace recently and the games played hasn't changed and in fact the schedule has gotten easier with less back to backs and more time off.

The games are much more intense than they ever were, & with more advanced shoe designs, players use more torque on their legs to change directions.

Tatum & Haliburton both had long playoff runs last season, played for Team USA in the summer, then back into deep playoff runs.

Tatum is 27 & Haliburton is 25. Both are professional & extremely well conditioned, these injuries should not be occurring without overuse.

[slightly biased bias fan]

Because Haliburton is very lean, he is heavily reliant on his first step and quick change of pace. He may never be the same player again after this achilles tear.

Tatum & Haliburton will both be out for the season. That is two contenders in an already weak east gone in terms of contention, you cannot tell me this is not harmful to the NBA product.

[Moranis]

It isn't the games played that is the issue as these sorts of injuries really have only become more commonplace recently and the games played hasn't changed and in fact the schedule has gotten easier with less back to backs and more time off.

The games are much more intense than they ever were, & with more advanced shoe designs, players use more torque on their legs to change directions.

Tatum & Haliburton both had long playoff runs last season, played for Team USA in the summer, then back into deep playoff runs.

Tatum is 27 & Haliburton is 25. Both are professional & extremely well conditioned, these injuries should not be occurring without overuse.

Haliburton was playing injured.  You are much more likely to have that sort of injury when you are playing injured. 

[Goldstar88]

They are playing the same amount of games that they always have. Not only that, but players are load managed. Haliburton shouldn?t have been playing with the calf injury. He rolled the dice and lost. It?s unfortunate, but the calf issue likely led to his Achilles injury.

[SparzWizard]

They are playing the same amount of games that they always have. Not only that, but players are load managed. Haliburton shouldn?t have been playing with the calf injury. He rolled the dice and lost. It?s unfortunate, but the calf issue likely led to his Achilles injury.

In the NBA Finals he has to play that game. If this was like game #38 of the season then yeah definitely rest him for like 2 weeks

[Neurotic Guy]

I wonder if it may be a factor that many players are beginning their NBA careers at 19 as opposed to 22. Many haven?t developed their adult body and are playing long seasons against adult players instead of playing a third of the number of games against college players in 40-minute games. The ?playoffs? are round robin tournaments in their conference and then in a bigger tournament if they make it.  Maybe wear and tear on younger tendons is having an impact?   But first things first, are there really significantly more tendon ruptures now then in years past?

[slightly biased bias fan]

I wonder if it may be a factor that many players are beginning their NBA careers at 19 as opposed to 22. Many haven?t developed their adult body and are playing long seasons against adult players instead of playing a third of the number of games against college players in 40-minute games. The ?playoffs? are round robin tournaments in their conference and then in a bigger tournament if they make it.  Maybe wear and tear on younger tendons is having an impact?  But first things first, are there really significantly more tendon ruptures now then in years past?

Yes, I just used those two players as an example because they are stars in their prime.

2024-25 Achilles Injuries

- Tyrese Haliburton (Torn right Achilles tendon)

- Jayson Tatum (Torn right Achilles tendon)

- Damian Lillard (Torn left Achilles tendon)

- Kyrie Irving (Torn left ACL)

- Dejounte Murray (Torn right Achilles tendon)

- De'Anthony Melton (Torn left ACL)

- Isaiah Jackson (Torn right Achilles tendon)

- Grant Williams (Torn ACL with meniscus damage)

- Moritz Wagner (Torn left ACL)

[slightly biased bias fan]

The NFL covered up evidence that their sport was causing brain damage to their players. Does anyone really think that the NBA would not downplay evidence that there is a significant uptake in major injuries to their players?

Less games = less money.

[Redz]

They are playing the same amount of games that they always have. Not only that, but players are load managed. Haliburton shouldn?t have been playing with the calf injury. He rolled the dice and lost. It?s unfortunate, but the calf issue likely led to his Achilles injury.

Wasn?t Durant dealing with some other leg injury when he tore his Achilles too?

[Redz]

Seems as if there is a definite mentality amongst the ownership, management and the players collectively that the procedures to stitch athletes back together and rehab them have improved so much and the results are generally so positive, that the risks and inconvenience of missing time simply don?t outweigh the bajillions of dollars all involved stand make regardless.

[Roy H.]

I'm not sure that games played are driving the injuries, but I'm guessing there is a causal factor for the uptake in Achilles injuries.  Shoes, supplements, training methods?  No idea.

Regarding greed, keep in mind that players are enjoying that revenue, too.  Fewer games, lower salaries.

[Celtics4ever]

-Grant Williams (Torn ACL with meniscus damage)

At least Grant does not have to worry about losing athletic ability, as he had none  JK

I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

[johnnygreen]

Dame, Tatum, and Haliburton all wear #0. Any coincidence?