Rush and rash of NBA games pile up injuries
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 21 Jan 2012
AS a consequence to the 147-day lockout this past summer, all 30 NBA teams will complete the shortened season by playing 66 games each in 127 days.
At some point before the regular season ends this April 26, all teams will each hurdle those severely exhausting three games in three nights play-a-thon, the dreaded back-to-back-to-back assignments. And without the benefit of a full training camp, injuries abound.
Which is exactly what we're seeing as the young season plods along. Bodies are falling like flies.
Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has missed five games due to a sore left foot. Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd has been sidelined by back spasms for four games and counting, while San Antonio Spurs sparkplug Manu Ginobili is out for the rest of the season with a broken left hand.
The hurt list goes on and on and on.
But no team has had to deal with injuries as much as the Chicago Bulls have. Their locker room resembles a makeshift ER with several cogs suffering an assortment of maladies both healed and unhealed.
Rip Hamilton has a recurring groin injury, missing 10 of 17 games thus far while CJ Watson missed 9 games with a strained left elbow. Taj Gibson could miss games with a sprained left ankle while John Lucas III has a strained left groin.
And most importantly, Derrick Rose, the reigning MVP, has a bad turf toe, missing four games and counting.
But the Bulls have pleasantly thrived under adversity, lending ammunition to the notion that what doesn't destroy you only makes you stronger.
At the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Friday night, the Bulls routed Cavaliers, 114-75, giving Chicago an NBA best 14-3 won-lost slate.
"THAT'S the thing with our team. We have more than enough to win with," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau told the Chicago Tribune.
Without Rose, Luol Deng took over the bulk of the scoring chores, chalking 21 on 8-of-13 shooting. Carlos Boozer added 19 points and 14 rebounds while CJ Watson had 15 points and 7 assists. Kyle Korver chipped in 14 and Hamilton had 13.
When LeBron James took his talents to South Beach 18 months ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers were expected to falter as the franchise reverts to rebilding mode. But the Cavs were especially bad Friday night, looking like meek lambs being led to a slaughter.
In that one-sided romp, the Bulls raced to a 63-44 halftime bulge and led by as many as 41 late in the fourth quarter. I know the Bulls have superior talents but the Cavs could have shown more pride in front of their home crowd.
Anderson Varejao -- of all people -- led the Cavs in scoring with 14. That, folks, is a sad reflection of the Cavs offense which packs decent firepower in Antawn Jamison, Anthony Parker and rookie Kyrie Irving, last June's No.1 draft pick.
The Bulls' next four games are against relative lightweights -- the Charlotte Bobcats, New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks -- and that should allow the team to let Rose rest his bad toe.
Hopefully, Mr. MVP will be more healthy and extra dangerous for the tougher battles ahead.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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