LeBron James had called out the NBA when the new season was set to start in record time. This was the shortest offseason in history, and its effects are beginning to show.
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All star after all star has been going down with injuries in these NBA playoffs with Kawhi Leonard being the latest victim. The Clippers announced that they fear he has an ACL injury which would not only keep him out for the rest of the playoffs but potentially some of next year too.
LeBron had advocated for a longer offseason, but the NBA was eager to get things “back to normal” after COVID put a halt in the 2019-20 season midway through.
No Jaylen Brown
No Anthony DavisInjured James Harden
No Jamal Murray
No Kyrie IrvingInjured Donovan Mitchell
No Kawhi LeonardCOVID Chris Paul
This ain’t it, bruh… I’m wishing all these stars a speedy recovery. 🙏🏾
— Da Kid Gowie (@DaKidGowie) June 16, 2021
LeBron James Torches The NBA For Starting The Season Too Early, Says He “Knew Exactly What Would Happen” After Kawhi Leonard Goes Down With An ACL Injury
The NBA has seen a record number of injuries to All Stars this year. Whether it’s because of the shortened off-season or factors, there is definitely something unprecedented about this year.
The point is, however, that the shortened off-season definitely did have an impact on teams. Stars couldn’t rest and rehab like they were normally used to, and with the NBA ending on practically the same date it does normally, it meant that games were more scrunched together than ever.
Yes, there were only 72 games, but that 10 game drop is insignificant when you measure all the other factors. In fact, this was the shortest off-season by far in the history of pro sports.
The Lakers will go 71 days between NBA games.
The shortest offseason for any team in league history. pic.twitter.com/XDBh6izhTe
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 4, 2020
LeBron James knew this would not end well for the league. And now, that Kawhi Leonard is out too, he’s absolutely livid at how injuries have dominated the narrative in this year’s playoffs. He had a massive rant on Twitter about this very issue:
They all didn’t wanna listen to me about the start of the season. I knew exactly what would happen. I only wanted to protect the well being of the players which ultimately is the PRODUCT & BENEFIT of OUR GAME! These injuries isn’t just “PART OF THE GAME”. It’s the lack of PURE
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 16, 2021
They all didn’t wanna listen to me about the start of the season. I knew exactly what would happen. I only wanted to protect the well being of the players which ultimately is the PRODUCT & BENEFIT of OUR GAME! These injuries isn’t just “PART OF THE GAME”. It’s the lack of PURE
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 16, 2021
works all year round it’s ME! I speak for the health of all our players and I hate to see this many injuries this time of the year. Sorry fans wish you guys were seeing all your fav guys right now. 🙏🏾👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 16, 2021
