Even if it is not always true, the last team standing in playoffs, mid-June, is often the one that was the least affected by injuries. Because to win the NBA title, it is better to have its best players in shape. Draymond Green Can testify to this since Stephen Curry's injury weighed on the Warriors in the conference semi-final against the Wolves.
So how do you avoid sores at the best time of the season? LeBron James spoke of an extended break before the first round. The interior of Golden State is not convinced …
“I know he spoke of a month of rest before the start of the playoffs: I don't know if it is possible. Already because it cuts the legs and the rhythm and it can have the opposite effect ”, replies Draymond Green in his podcast. “So I don't know if a month is the right thing. But maybe two weeks, because no player loses his physical condition in two weeks and we can be much better. »»
Have more rest between matches
The teams already qualified, without going through the “play-in”, have a week of rest before the first playoff match. If the injuries occur during a series, then the calendar is relentless, especially after the first round.
“One day to travel and one day to recover, only two days and I think basketball would be of better quality”explained Aaron Gordon, victim of the same injury as Stephen Curry, after the series against the Thunder. “The simple fact of giving an additional day of rest to the athletes and we would see a much higher level, and less blowouts. As we have seen, players suffer from injuries related to fatigue because the matches are linked quickly. One or two more days in playoffs, it would be pleasant to come back cooler. Because, very often, it is the least injured team that wins, not the best. »»
“We saw Gordon say that it would take two days between the matches: I agree”continues the quadruple NBA champion. “Just see things. In a series like the one against Houston, with a day of rest between the matches, we do the four hours of plane between Houston and San Francisco on the day of rest. We arrive in Houston, it is 8:00 p.m., the time to arrive at the hotel, it is dark and you have to go fast to try to go to bed. The recovery process is not great. »»
For the interior, it is a question of asking the right question for the league: “Is it only a moment with a lot of matches or is it the best team won, with the best show on the parquet floor for fans?” This is where the problem arises. »»
