NBA: Impact of injuries to key players - Rose, Iguodala, Chandler and Gasol
In this 3 week young NBA season we have already witnessed many injuries. Moreover, these injuries have come at the expense of players who are an integral part of the many team’s post-season dreams and goals.
Here’s a compilation of the biggest injuries this season when it comes to how the player affects the team’s performance on the court and the how essential the player is to the team.
Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors)
Andre Iguodala
Injury: Left hamstring strain
Yes Dwight Howard was the biggest free agent this summer but after three weeks it would be safe to say that Andre Igoudala and J.J. Reddick have been the offseason picks given their performance and impact on their new team.
His offense has reduced the load on the Warriors backcourt and his athleticism with his height gives him a huge advantage on defense at his position. Along with his experience of nine years in the league, he is the complete package for the Warriors.
He has made some stunning plays early in his Warrior career including a clutch buzzer beater to give the Warriors the win over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder. His injury is a huge blow to the Warriors of a strong season.
Iguodala limped off the sidelines in a games against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. After the game the injury was confirmed as a left hamstring strain with no timetable yet on his return.
Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)
Marc Gasol
Injury: Grade 2 MCL sprain
You would expect good things to start happening in the Grizzlies locker room as they have made it into the upper half of the extremely competitive West after a tough start but a big breakthrough of a different nature was in store for them.
Marc Gasol has a grade 2 MCL strain in the game against the San Antonio Spurs. No surgery will be required but he will be out of action for at least 3-4 weeks. The Grizzlies game will be affected on both ends of the floor.
There is nothing to argue about the reigning Defensive Player of the Year’s defense this season. The stats speak for themselves. Surprisingly however, it would be the offensive end where the Grizzlies would miss Gasol more. Kosta Koufos has been a positive influence on the team on defense.
The passing ability of the big man is a huge factor behind the Grizzlies smooth functioning offense. His average of 67.7 touches is much more than any other center in the league and sandwiches him between Kevin Durant and James Harden with respect to the league.
Although alongside Mike Conley and Zach Randolph the Grizzlies could still survive given the recovery time is just a month. However anything more than that would spell disaster for the Grizzlies season ahead.
Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks)
Tyson Chandler
Injury: Small non-displaced fracture of the right fibula
If there was ever a list on which players the New York Knicks could afford to lose to injury, Tyson Chandler would be the last on the list.
The 2011-12 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year is a talented center no doubt but is highly under appreciated.
He lacks the offensive range but is an excellent finisher at the basket. Since the start of the 2007-08 season he has converted 62.8% of his shots, that’s the highest conversion rate for any player during that stretch (minimum 25 minutes a game).
What he brings to the floor is his defense. The Knicks defense starts and ends with him and in his absence they have no rim protection. All the other players in the Knicks roster capable of playing his position come with liabilities that head coach Mike Woodson can’t afford on the floor.
The player who understands the importance of Chandler the most is Carmelo Anthony. After losing the game Chandler limped off to the Charlotte Bobcats this what he had to say, “I just pray and hope he’s fine. We missed him big-time.”
Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
Derrick Rose
Injury: Meniscus tear in right knee
The 2011 NBA MVP of the Chicago Bulls is currently out indefinitely with a medial meniscus tear in his right knee suffered during a game against the Trailblazers in Portland.
Derrick Rose had an MRI in Los Angeles on Saturday after injuring his knee a night earlier and at the time being there is no time table for his return.
This is a huge set back to Rose, Bulls fans and the NBA.
Rose just recently returned from a torn ACL in his other knee after not playing for over a year and a half. The Bulls fans too had waited patiently for his return but wondered why he didn’t return earlier after seeing him shoot around and dunk in pre-game workouts while the Bulls grinded to the post-season as 5th seeds and eventually fell to the Miami Heat.
The Bulls are going to have to repeat their performance from last season without Rose to be competitive in the East. Rose’s return is hugely dependent on the technique the surgeons choose to repair the damage. Until then for the Bulls it is simply last season all over again with few new recruits.
His injury would certainly dilute the drama in the East with only the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat going strong in the East as we approach Thanksgiving weekend. Both New York state teams have struggled and Rose’s injury once again leaves the Pacers and the Heat as legitimate Conference championship contenders.