Last night we had the World Series start in Houston and the NBA tipped off it’s season with two games on opening night. Sadly for me I didn’t get to see any of these games as I managed to come down with the flu and I was in bed before any of them eve started. Here’s hoping I’m feeling better tonight; so I can watch what’s on tonight.
This past Saturday we had our NBA fantasy draft. It was an auction style draft which isn’t my favorite, but it seems like most people prefer this format; so it’s what we go with. Oddly I always seem to end up nominating first in these drafts. I guess it’s just luck of the draw since the nomination order is done at random.
I’ve had my struggles with NBA fantasy, but I had a plan and I stuck with it in this draft and I think I did okay. I’ll be the first to admit that I overpaid for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but in the long run he’ll be worth that money.
Now as the draft was going along I had one player in mind that I wanted to save a little money for and try to grab at the end of the draft. Well I needed one more player and it was my turn to nominate. I had saved a solid amount of money; so I nominated the player I wanted; Klay Thompson and sure enough I did everything right and I was able to get him.
Now I understood that Thompson was injured and that he probably wouldn’t be back until late January or even some time in February, but as the last player on my roster he was worth the risk. That was until a couple of days ago.
As I’m sure just about everyone knows Thompson was hurt in last seasons NBA Finals. He tore the ACL ligament in his knee and had to have surgery. Now this is where it gets confusing for me and I hope there’s someone out there who can help me out. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gave an interview to I believe one of the local San Francisco television stations. During this interview Kerr mentioned that he didn’t think that Thompson would play at all this season. This information would’ve been great to have before our fantasy draft, but these things happen.
This is where I get lost on these things. Thompson is a professional athlete; so he’s in great shape. He is also a member of a NBA franchise that has a top notch training and therapy staff; at least I hope they do. So how does it take what would be 16 months to recover from ACL surgery?
Now I’m not a professional athlete, but to be fair at one time I was a professional wrestler; so take that for what it’s worth. I’ve had five knee surgeries in my life. They’ve repaired every ligament in my knee that they possibly could. Some of the surgeries where just to reattach a ligament or two and in other cases the entire knee had to be reconstructed. Now after these surgeries there is a recovery time, but I never miss more than 8 weeks or 2 months of work.
I’m not sure what the difference would be between playing NBA basketball and having a wrestling match, but you’d think there are some similarities on the pounding a knee takes. Now Thompson would be taller and faster than I am or I should say was since I’m no longer wrestling, but I’m willing to bet that I was just as strong if not stronger and I definitely weight quite a bit more than he does.
So here’s my question. How does a professional athlete with the best doctors, physical therapist and rehab a equipment take what would be 16 months if Thompson doesn’t play this season, but yet some smuck who’s working within the parameters of his insurance coverage is back at it in 2 months?
Of course this doesn’t just go for Thompson’s injury. It seems as any injury that an NBA player seems to keep them out longer than anyone would expect. I’m not sure if this is done as part of the new “load management” NBA, but it just seems odd.
Now this is going to be a fun story to follow and see how it develops.
Tom Brady is in the final year of his contract with the New England Patriots and will become a free agent after this season ends. Now interestingly there are reports that he’ll leave the Patriots and sign with another team. I have to say that this is very hard for me to believe, but Brady will have that option if he chooses.
This is Brady’s 20th season in the NFL all with the Patriots. His individual awards are numerous, but what stands out is the fact that he’s a 6-time Super Bowl champion.
Brady turned 42 in August and it’s just difficult to see him in another NFL uniform. Now we’ve seen quarterbacks switch teams after having just great success, but I believe that Peyton Manning is the only one that has won a Super Bowl with that second team.
There would be so many questions if Brady left New England and signed with another team. Would he have the same success with another team? How would he do in an offensive scheme without Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels?
There’s a bit of an aura that comes with the Patriots and if Brady was to leave it might usher in some change in New England. Is it possible that McDaniels could become the head coach of the team Brady would sign with? Would Belichick retire if Brady signed somewhere else? How would the Patriots do if Brady leaves?
Brady does have a very good relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and I think this will play the biggest factor in him staying in New England. While I seriously doubt Brady would have success in another uniform I don’t think the Patriots want to see him go as they’re still having success in their system with him as their quarterback. Who knows maybe this is just a ploy to get one last big contract.
Where do you see Brady playing next season?
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