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Heartbreak, Disbelief, Shock. Feelings fans suffer when their superstar is injured.
A serious injury to a key player, makes fans for an instant forget about the ongoing season and wonder when the player would make his comeback.
Here a few most awaited ones in the NBA this season. They are arranged in order of the significance of their return to the team:-
Honorary Mention:
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers):
Returning from an Achilles injury at the age of 34, many analysts have written him off in terms of offensive production. His return whether in December or at the season opener is much awaited by many in the league.
His return is crucial to the Lakers performance this season. Having said that, I believe the impact he will have on game results would not be enough to bring the Playoffs to Staples Center.
5. Andrew Bynum (Cleveland Cavaliers):
Philadelphia traded Iguodala to the Nuggets in the hope that the talented center could improve the results for the team after his All-Star year with the Lakers.
However his nagging knee problems saw him warm the bench, giving the 76ers front office more reason to regret acquiring him in the first place.
Despite that, His talent is of such high standard that the Cavs have taken the gamble by offering 24.79 million over two years and with key acquisitions in this year’s post season Cavs fans are surely looking forward to him making his return and playing a key role on their mission to make it back to the Playoffs.
It would be interesting to see whether Cavaliers gamble pays off!
4. Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves):
Kevin Love alongside teammate Ricky Rubio
Entering the 2012-2013 season of the NBA Kevin Love was coming off a breakout year, averaging a double double of 26 ppg with 13.3 rpg. Behind Kevin Love, the fans and front office put their hopes of a post-season appearance this season.
Alas, it was not to be as Love re-fractured his shooting hand on Jan 3RD in a game against the Nuggets. Speculations were ripe among the media and fans stating that Love returned too early from his earlier fracture on the same hand during pre-season.
Finally having a healthy roster, coupled with few key acquisitions in the off season, Love has all the potential and chance of making it big with talented roster having depth.
His return would give them a strong chance to make it to the post season.
3. Rajan Rondo (Boston Celtics):
Celtics Point guard Rajan Rondo
He started the season recording 10+ assists in the 37 consecutive games, matching John Stockton’s longest streak. However in a game against the Miami Heat in January, it was revealed that he had torn his ACL and was ruled out of the rest of the season.
With the departure of The Big 3 from the Celtics, Rondo would be making his return as the leader of a team with new faces and a new coach. Celtics’ obvious plan further should be to build a team around Rondo.
However his return isn’t expected anywhere before December and expecting him to create a spark in the team or lead a charge late into the season would be far-fetched.
The arrival of a head coach making his transition from college to NBA further pushes the load of expectations on him to be the vocal and focal point of the team.
2. Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder):
Westbrook and teammate Durant taking a breather during the Nba finals
The Thunder was on course for another shot at the championship this season. They had their first 60 win season, clinched the Division championship for a third season in a row and had cruised through to the playoffs by grabbing the first seed in the West.
All too good to be true I guess! In just the 2nd game of the Playoffs against 8th seed Houston Rockets, Westbrook injured his right knee and was ruled out of further action in the post season.
His absence was considered the missing link to Thunder’s chances of making it consecutive Finals appearances.
Poised to return at the start of training camp, Westbrook would surely look to use the pre-season schedule as a springboard to return to his form and contribute to the team come Tip-off.
1.Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls):
Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls as James of the Heat looks on
The season of 2011-2012 was one to forget for Rose.He started and played in a mere 39 games and injured his left knee to end his season in Game 1 of the Playoff’s.
He sat out through the whole season yet Bulls managed to make it to the Playoffs with other starters stepping up their game. However throughout the 2012-2013 seasons there were talks about when Rose would return as he was seen in full practice with the team in January.
His capability as a player to contribute to the team’s success would be foolish to doubt.
NBA fans all across the league would be looking forward to Rose’s return, credit to the eye-popping moves he uses to finish at the rim with immense ease.
