When the NBA suspended the league in March, there was an air of uncertainty about its recovery. This forced break broke the momentum of some teams trying to make a push in the playoffs late but some players benefited from it. We will see five players who have used this period to recover and return to their best for the playoffs.
# 1 Giannis Antetokounmpo
In March, Giannis injured his left leg during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Magnetic resonance imaging showed minor joint capsule sprain. If he kept playing, it would have gotten worse. But he used this time to fully recover and Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed it. While talking to Jackie MacMullan about ESPN, Budenholzer said: “It is a great advantage for us that Giannis will be completely and totally healthy,” said Budenholzer. “It’s in a great place, both mentally and physically.”
The 2019 NBA Most Valuable Player will be on a mission to have a better post-season than last year and prove that the Bucks are more than just a regular season team.
# 2 Anthony Davis
Throughout the season, Davis played with recurring injuries. He had started the season with a bad shoulder. Then earlier this year, he had a bad fall against the Knicks where he injured his tailbone. So he made the most of this moment and rarely does he go there now. “It was nice for me to let some of the persistent injuries I have had towards the time the NBA stopped recovering and healed” Davis said he spoke to Greg Beacham of The Associated Press,. “(I can) return to the best version of myself. I feel 100% healthy. Well, I don’t” feel “, I am (100% healthy). I feel ready to go.”
Together with LeBron James, Davis will try to lead the charge of the Lakers in the playoffs. This offseason will fire for his first ever ring.
# 3 Ben Simmons
Simmons suffered a back injury in February during practice and when he played against the Bucks a few days later, he had to leave the game halfway due to an injury. He therefore lost the rest of the 76ers’ matches before the season was suspended. But recently pictures and images of him playing LeBron James again have emerged where he looked more fit than before. Last week in a conference call with reporters confirmed it. “I feel better than when I started the season. I know what I am capable of with my body and I feel really good and overall I feel like I have returned to 100 percent. “
With him, the duo of Embiid and Simmons can demonstrate how dangerous they can be and avenge the harrowing loss of last season in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference.
# 4 Zion Williamson
New NBA boy Sion injured his knee during the Summer League and had to wait almost two months before he can make his debut. Later in February, he had another minor injury. But last month the executive vice president of New Orleans Pelicans basketball operations, David Griffin, confirmed that Zion is back and ready to take the field. “Zion has been diligent in taking care of himself. It is in a good space physically and mentally. “
His arrival will surely increase the ninth seed of pelicans as they aim to overcome the eighth seed Grizzlies. This could lead to a potential first round matchup of LeBron vs Zion in the playoffs and NBA executives say it could be similar to the Michael Jordan vs Celtics 1986 playoff matchup.
# 5 Malcolm Brogdon
In this break, Brogdon not only recovered from an injury, but also from the coronavirus. In March, she suffered a torn left femoral rectum. And later, in June, he tested positive for coronavirus. Then yesterday he tweeted saying: “Thanks to everyone who asked how I feel. I feel good and I’m ready for Orlando. “
With him, Indiana Pacers will be able to assist the pair of Brogdon and Oladipo in action in the playoffs. The Pacers are currently tied with the 76ers for the fifth seed and will be eager to cement their place there.
