The race for the 2021 title is already getting pretty intense. With multiple teams, storylines, and superstars having developed over the past few months alone, this summer is sure to be ripe with intensity and intrigue.
Unfortunately, though, injuries are at the heart of the Championship journey, and having your stars healthy and available is definitely an important aspect of succeeding in the NBA. The Lakers and Nets, two of basketball’s best and most notorious teams, are being faced with that reality more than any other team this season.
Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant, who are absolutely vital members of their respective franchises, have both missed roughly six weeks of playing time (AD with a calf strain, Durant with a hamstring injury)– and it’s got some worried about their durability going forward.
Of course, there are a few who have taken those doubts a bit further, suggesting that the length of their absences is suspicious enough to question if their condition is worse than is being portrayed.
“I’m getting suspicious! Hasn’t KD been out a little bit too long? I bring up KD and AD in the same sentence. I mean, AD’s been out about 20 games,” said ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
“What I’m saying is, my antennas are getting raised. I’m about to get nosey is what I’m trying to say. Usually, I’m just sitting back… but I’m getting suspicious. It’s been a little bit too long with these injuries and I’m starting to feel that it’s worse than we’re being led to believe.”
Stephen A., of course, went on to note that the Lakers’ chances of winning without a healthy AD are slim. Considering all that the West has to offer in terms of title-contenders, the Lakers have to be on the top of their game to defend their crown.
For the Nets, they’ll find it similarly difficult to win without their best player, Kevin Durant.
While Stephen A.’s suspicions are nothing more than speculation right now, it’s not out of the question that both teams would downplay the severity of an injury to the public (and their competitors) in hopes of keeping their vulnerability to a minimum.
It’s also possible that both teams are just being overly cautious with two guys that have a rather troubling past with injuries.
Whatever your stance, the health of these two stars is going to be a key component in how this season plays out. And, all things considered, you can’t blame Stephen A. for raising up some questions about it.
