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With Joe Dumars, the NBA’s head of basketball operations, sounding off on the criticism the league’s new 65-game rule confronted this 12 months, let’s check out which gamers are literally at risk of lacking out on awards and accolades.
“Regardless of the place the quantity landed, if it was 60, if it was 55, we in all probability would nonetheless be having this dialog,” Dumars mentioned of the brand new rule on Wednesday, per Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
The utmost quantity of video games a participant can miss to nonetheless be eligible for end-of-season awards is 17.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (13 video games missed) is probably the most notable participant at risk of failing to fulfill the 65-game minimal, due largely to a hamstring damage he suffered on Jan. 8. Haliburton has additionally been one of many extra vocal critics of this new initiative by the NBA, beforehand calling the brand new initiative by the league “silly,” per CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish.
New York Knicks ahead Julius Randle — a two-time All-NBA choice — has missed 13 video games and has been out since Jan. 27 with a dislocated proper shoulder. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned Randle has expressed a need to return to the ground and is ready to play by the ache if essential, additional demonstrating gamers’ need to fulfill the 65-game mark.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Younger has missed seven video games however is sidelined for not less than the subsequent 4 weeks following surgical procedure on his left hand. That is an fascinating case of a possible battle between what a participant needs versus what a entrance workplace needs. Will Younger be motivated to return earlier to get a crack at making an All-NBA workforce, or will the Hawks train warning with its three-time All-Star?
Wanting on the league on a macro scale, this new 65-games performed rule is working as meant. Many of the potential candidates for end-of-season awards reminiscent of reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic (2), Luka Doncic (8) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2) are distant from the 17 missed video games mark, and gamers recognized for his or her shaky well being reminiscent of Kawhi Leonard (5), Paul George (5) and Anthony Davis (4) all have single-digit missed video games this 12 months.
It stays to be seen whether or not or not the NBA will modify this rule for future seasons, however given the big quantity of star gamers suiting up on a nightly foundation, there’s little cause to vary issues up.
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