Why do some teams get great injury luck while the Trail Blazers are always injured or sick? This Christmas all we want is our good health for our squad.
The Trail Blazers can’t seem to catch a break. Zach Collins gets injured in the first two weeks of the season, Damian Lillard and Hassan Whiteside miss time. The squad gets everyone else back then poor old Rodney Hood tears his Achilles. Carmelo Anthony comes in and earns himself a guaranteed contract, the team goes on a nice little run and gets themselves back in playoff contention, then he and Mario Hezonja are now set to miss time. Also, wing back-up Nassir Little is dealing with a back complaint!
Can this team catch a break?
Though Melo and Hezonja may not be out long-term, it would be great to get Jusuf Nurkic back at the all-star break and just finish the season without anymore long-term injuries. Yes, injuries are a reality of this game, but it’s hard to stay in contention in a loaded western conference when only four of your rotation have played all 29 games.
The Warriors recently went to five straight finals and had some great injury luck along the way. In those five seasons, the two finals they didn’t win the title was when Stephen Curry was hurt in 2016, and then Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson in the most recent finals series.
This isn’t to say the Blazers would win a championship if they were fit this year, but fans are quick to yell out the ‘ trade CJ ” or ” blow it up ” when a team that’s down three starters is struggling to get wins in one of the most competitive NBA seasons in years.
Having a passionate fan base is great, but lets remember that out of last years core that won 53 regular season games, only Maurice Harkless missed more than 12 games. That’s the recipe for success. And then this team made it’s way to the western conference finals with only the injury to Nurkic.
Give them a break. Don’t judge the 2019 version of the Trail Blazers when Skal Labissiere is starting at centre and Little at power forward. Judge them when they are fit.
We may not get our Christmas wish of a clean bill of health, but when players are suffering season ending or even career threatening injuries, this isn’t the time to suggest trading our best players. Now back in the eighth seed, we have one eye on the playoffs again. Give these guys a break and cross your fingers for some good health!