NBA’s unsafe work environment claims two more centers
Since writing the essay/letter alluded to in the Dec. 11 post below, two more centers on contending teams have bitten the dust. The other night Kurt Thomas hurt his elbow and is gone for 4 to 6 weeks from a nasty fall after being undercut on a fastbreak. Yao Ming broke a bone near his knee when he elevated to block a shot and came down amid crashing bodies caused by one of the countless block/charge collisions his Van Gundy-inspired teammates have created. He’s about halfway through his 6 to 8 week absence.

As noted in the essay, rules have been gradually tweaked over the years so that defenders these days are routinely rewarded for undercutting and causing late or borderline-late block/charge collisions. It’s bad for the game aesthetically, and it’s very dangerous. Too bad NBA honchos and the pathetic Players Association don’t care.