I don’t think it’s all toughness. Kyrie fractured his kneecap and Love had a dislocated shoulder. Guys get hurt while playing, but some injuries you can’t play through. I guess it evened out because Durant and Klay got hurt last year and the Warriors lost.
But yeah, part of being good is being healthy. You can be extremely talented, but if you’re hurt all the time then you’re no good to anyone.
100% agree. It's not only toughness
LeBron is the perfect example to use in this situation. If there's one thing nobody can really deny about LeBron's and his game, is that he's practically indestructible. He seldom takes enough damage to injure himself. And this has been the pattern throughout his entire career. I think he hurt his elbow once, sprained his elbow or damaged some soft tissue there before 2010 iirc, and he had last year's groin injury. Those are the only two major injuries I can recall. His desire to remain in condition to compete is second to none. Second to none. And he does this by taking care of his body and the main factor I would say is his supreme intelligence in the way he plays. I'll never be seen calling him the greatest unless he wins six rings, but I will say that the way he plays the game is supremely intelligent. He knows how to feel the game out, he knows where everyone is on the court at all times, his awareness is off the charts and most importantly of all is that he is able to pick his spots and play according to his abilities and limits. That's the only way he could have avoided serious injury all this time, so often. His dedication to health and his bball IQ
I think every player needs to take a page from LeBron James in that regard. Every player in the NBA has the resources to enter peak condition, stay at that level, and compete night in and night out all the way through if they have their mind set to it. With all those coaches, doctors, professionals surrounding them and made readily available to them at any time in their profession, they have zero excuses. If LeBron James can work his way to such dominance and be ready to play at the highest level then everyone else should be able to as well. Kobe Bryant was the same way, except he was far more injury laden than LeBron James. But Kobe still managed to play at every stage during his Finals appearances as LeBron has. Jordan the same, MJ was always prepared. All three would not be denied greatness, they set out for it
Freak accidents happen but a lot of injuries can be avoided if you live the right way and know how to play the game the right way. Look at Kevin Durant. Players who don't know their body, their ability, and their limits are bound to fail. I see it every single month when Anthony Davis plays. That guy is amazing, but he tries to do too much. Way too much. His game is not grounded like LeBron's as it needs to be, as every player's game needs to be. Anthony Davis gets caught in the moment and flies all over the place with reckless abandon. Hate to say it but he's going to continue to rack up injuries as he has been year round unless he modifies his tendencies and starts playing with a bit more control
It's a long conversation to have, but all in all, I think it's critical to stay injury-free and being injury-free or at least able to contend in the playoffs is largely dependent on lifestyle and effort put into winning the whole thing. And in my opinion, a leader will always do his best to pass on his knowledge and wisdom to his own. If the leader of a team is healthy, and he does his best to make sure his teammates are healthy and ready to take on anything any challenge then success will come
