Injuries are the worst part of professional basketball. Injuries might prevent players from reaching their full potential, dent a team’s hope for championship contention, and stop fans from seeing their favorite player on the court every other night. The same is the case early in the 2021-22 NBA season, as there are elite-level talents that are yet to feature in one game for their franchises.
Perhaps the biggest losers are the Brooklyn Nets, who would have been untouchable if their big three were all on the court. While they are the best team in the East right now with a 19-8 record, they probably might have been the best in the league.
Regardless, Slam Studios put together a list of all players with zero games this season, and the roster is scary. If this team existed, they would be a dynasty.
The starting backcourt is composed of Nets Kyrie Irving who is out due to failure to take the covid-19 vaccine and Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson who has missed two seasons due to an Achilles and knee injury but is set to return by Christmas.
Kawhi Leonard tore his ACL in the 2021 Western conference semi-finals and has since then been unavailable to help the Los Angeles Clippers. Orlando Magic Jonathan Isaac missed the entire 2020-21 season due to a knee injury but is making progress with his rehab.
The New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson will play at the 5 for this all-zero games played team. Much has been made of his weight in the past few weeks, and reports suggest that he will be out for longer as he still feels soreness on his foot.
The bench squad is made up of Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons (personal reasons), Denver Nuggets Jamal Murray (ACL), T.J Warren (foot), Washington Wizards Rui Hachimura (personal reasons), and Wizard Thomas Bryant (knee).
Fans have shared their thought on the team, with many believing they will be champions.
“this a dynasty not just a contender”
“Miss rui”
“This defense is stacked”
“If everyone here in their prime easy championship”
“Team’s elite asf”
“lol man them at they current age now easy ring klay kyrie and kawhi? Not even including zion”
” Ben Simmons, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, John Isaac, rui, and Bryant??? This team is stacked defensively”
“it feels like years”
“Kawhi is the best player here”
“I’d put Ben Simmons at PF instead since that’s a pretty big weakness”
“The Zion story is just sad tbh”
“WHERE THE HELL IS TJ WARREN”
While we await their return to their respective teams, it won’t hurt to engage in some wishful thinking. Nonetheless, this team stands a great chance of winning several championships if they play together.
Credit: Slam Studios
