NBA Playoffs injuries are nothing new. Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals saw Jimmy Butler, Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum all go to the locker room with various ailments. The latter two did return, but this wasn’t an ideal situation. Especially considering just how many players have been hurt in the postseason over the past eight or so years.
At this point, it seems like the best team no longer wins the championship. The Larry O’Brien trophy is usually handed to the side that avoids major injuries. There are countless theories as to why this is. However, one thing has become evident.
NBA Playoffs injuries show the regular season shouldn’t matter.
While Adam Silver and owners continue to advocate for an asinine mid-season tournament literally no fan wants, there is mounting evidence players’ bodies can’t withstand the intensity and physicality of the playoffs.
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Now, it’s important to note this isn’t a case of them being soft. On the contrary, players push themselves to levels their bodies aren’t capable of sustaining during the postseason. They shouldn’t be asked to do this more.
And that means there is no real reason to make the regular season matter more than it already does. If anything, doing so would be a detriment to the league. There would be no one left by the time the playoffs come around. It would be nothing but backups and G-Leaguers.
The focus these days is on getting those 82 games between October and April to mean something. For the most part, the regular season is simply there. Players sit out constantly. Teams exhibit no sense of urgency. Hell, the Los Angeles Lakers probably think there is still time for them to get into the postseason.
However, NBA Playoffs injuries show us why the regular season shouldn’t matter. And that’s perfectly acceptable considering just how great they are. There is no need to ruin the world’s best basketball event in hopes of boosting some TV ratings or attendance in February.
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