Phoenix Suns things to avoid next year: Chris Paul getting injured
Chris Paul carries a more abominable injury history than perhaps any other active NBA player outside Derrick Rose. Almost every time he gets just a few steps away from climbing up the playoff ladder and securing his first NBA title, the injury bug bites him hard. Event though he got closer than ever before last season, it happened again, with him hurting his wrist sometime before the Finals tipped off.
The Suns actually bulldozed through the Milwaukee Bucks during their championship series’s first two games, but during the next four, Paul’s limited play caught up to him and his team.
Prior to his wrist injury during the Western Conference Finals, Paul averaged 24.0 points, 8.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. But during the NBA Finals, Paul averaged 21.8 points, 8.2 assist, and 2.7 rebounds per game.
But even aside from his statistical decrease, those who saw Paul play noticed how off he looked while moving up and down the floor. Watching Paul play even looked like a flashback to his first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers at times, where he also suffered through an injury that nearly ended their season.
Injuries more often than not occur purely due to bad luck. That’s what makes them so frustrating. But regardless, Phoenix’s medical staff needs to fully invest themselves in preserving Paul ahead the 2021-22 season both due to his team impact and growing age.
Take him out during any blowout games and hire a top line nutritionist. Dare I say say load management? Throw it all CP3’s way, because their season might come down to it all once again.