We are in full swing with the shortened NBA season and you are starting to see a repeat of what happened early on in the NFL season, with a lack of injury prevention programs due to the lockout you get a rash of injuries.  In August, I wrote about how I thought NFL injuries would be on the rise for this past season.  I think the same thing is going to happen in the NBA.

Look at this list of NFL players who were injured AND done for the year within the first two months of the season (basically, the month of training camp, pre-season games, and weeks 1-4):

  • Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City, Left ACL
  • Eric Berry, S, Kansas City, Left ACL
  • Mikel LeShoure, RB, Detroit, Left Achilles (a second round pick for the Lions)
  • Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee, Right ACL, MCL
  • John Carlson, TE, Seattle, Torn Labrum
  • Jordan Shipley, WR, Cincinnati, Left ACL
  • Eric Steinbach, G, Cleveland, Disc Injury
  • Tony Moeaki, TE, Kansas City, ACL
  • Plus two kickers.  Kickers?!!

Now look at the list of big name players who got season ending injuries during this year.  Some real super stars:

  • Adrian Peterson
  • Matt Forte
  • Fred Jackson
  • Matt Schaub
  • Mario Williams
  • Rashard Mendenhall
  • Chad Henne
  • Leon Hall
  • Chris Cooley

I know there are lots of injuries every year in these sports, especially football.  But, if you read my post I thought because of the lockout, this year would be especially bad.  Kansas City was done.  Chicago was one of the hottest teams in the league and they were crushed.  Houston made the playoffs, but when they lost Leinart, they weren’t making the Super Bowl.

Now the NBA is going through its slew of injuries and I think the lockout there eliminated a lot of injury prevention work that might have kept some of these guys on the field.  Look at these names and tell me you couldn’t field an all-star squad:

  • Carmelo Anthony, SF, NYK, Groin
  • Chauncey Billups, PG, LAC, Torn Achilles (done for the season)
  • Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago, Back (your reigning MVP)
  • Chris Paul, PG, LAC, Hurt his hamstring, but I already discussed Chris Paul’s injury issues
  • Zach Randolph, PF, Memphis, Knee
  • Al Horford, C, Atlanta, Pectoral
  • Brook Lopez, C, New Jersey, Foot
  • Manu Ginobili, SF, San Antonio, Hand

Once again, I understand that injuries happen in these sports and maybe they would have happened anyways to these athletes, even if there wasn’t a lockout.  But, maybe these athletes need these training camps and OTA’s for a reason.

I’ve only witnessed a couple of professional athletes (who weren’t my clients) workout and they didn’t exactly have a Superstar routine.  I’ve talked with various fitness professionals who have worked out with pros and they feel that the hard working ones are few and far inbetween.  Lots are just a pain in the a$$.

The point being is that training camp is not only a time for learning plays and meeting your teammates, but a time to work with the team strength and conditioning coach for injury prevention.  There is a reason they have spent so much time on the workout program and it is to get the athlete in the best shape possible not only to be fast and explosive, but also eliminate the risk of injuries.

When you get a shortened training camp like what you saw in the NBA and NFL, then items are eliminated.  You need to spend whatever short time you have on learning the system because games will be coming soon.

Thus, you are relying on your athletes to get the needed work in during the lockout to get the body prepared.  Some have trainers who might be able to design the proper routine, others try to do it on their own.  And others still just ignore it, thinking they’re young and their bodies will be fine.

We saw what happened in the NFL with injuries this year and we are just starting to see what could happen in the NBA with Chauncey Billups season ending injury changing his team’s chances for a deep playoff run.  I think more injuries will come.  Next time, athletes will need a better approach towards injury prevention to potentially avoid these mishaps and have a successful season.