Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti has thrown down the gauntlet against the NBA's stance on player injuries, calling it "almost insulting" to deny a link between high game loads and frequent player injuries. Presti's strong words come in the wake of multiple Achilles tears during the postseason, including stars like Tyrese Haliburton, which have raised concerns about player health and workload management. He challenges Commissioner Adam Silver's belief that the length of the season isn't a factor, pointing to the evolving nature of the game and demanding a proactive approach to address the injury epidemic.
Presti highlights key factors like the NBA's 65-game rule, condensed schedules, increased physicality, and changes in playing style as potential culprits for the growing injury toll. He emphasizes the need for a collaborative and data-driven approach to understanding and mitigating the risks faced by players in today's fast-paced and demanding basketball landscape. With the league using artificial intelligence to investigate injury trends, Presti hopes for a more open-minded and solution-oriented mindset from all stakeholders in safeguarding player health and well-being in the evolving NBA ecosystem.