SPORTS

The NBA's battle against the Covid-19 omicron surge /  by Hussein Abdullahi

NBA Season interrupted Covid-19 Omicron variant

Despite the current outbreak, NBA commissioner Adam Silver remains optimistic to avoid a season pause. According to ESPN, 12 NBA teams have faced outbreaks with losing five or more players to health and safety protocols. Three head coaches have entered the protocols, and nine games have been postponed. A total of 140 players entered into protocol this season, with 123 in December alone. Still, Silver has no plans of pausing the season at this point and hopes the NBA will deal with this variant.

“Frankly, we're having trouble coming up with what the logic would be behind pausing right now, as look through these cases literally ripping through the country right now, putting aside the rest of the world, I think we're finding ourselves where we sort of knew we were going to get to for the past several months.” - Adam Silver (NBA Commissioner)

With limited star presence, the NBA could suffer a big blow. Kevin Durant, Trey Young, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Davis are all sidelined against the omicron surge.As the omicron variant continues to decimate NBA rosters, The NBA and NBPA have announced amended replacement rules to prevent a season halt. The short-term solution allows each team to sign one replacement player for every player that tests positive or enters protocols.

Commissioner Adam Silver has no Plans to pause season

In a recent interview with ESPN, Adam Silver shared upcoming contingency plans. The league's race to outlast the omicron surge will come at the expense of eradicating the Covid-19 virus. Unfortunately, this variant is here to stay and NBA has executed contingency plans heading into the new year. Silver told ESPN that a small percentage of the league's cases involve players and coaches that have gone through the three-shoot process. Currently, the NBA has a 97% vaccination rate, and the NBPA aims to increase the rate of boosted players to a 60% threshold. According to Athletic, the NBA and NBPA are in the works to allow players to return faster to preserve the NBA season. Once approved, the NBA will allow players back from health and safety protocols after six days based on testing cycle thresholds. This implication of these new rules may impose as a quick fix for the NBA when looking in retrospect. Silver’s billion-dollar empire will continue running its battle against the Covid-19 surge.

Published by: TGQ Inc.


Durant tops Kia MVP Ladder Once again: Followed by Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Paul George and DeMar DeRozan /  by Hussein Abdullahi

Kevin Durant tops the KIA MVP ladder in early-season mvp chase

Photo Credit: Nicole Sweet (USA TODAY SPORTS)

The early-season MVP chase is one of the constant changes after four weeks of games, Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant has been a clear candidate for the MVP award. Durant has carried the load for the Nets as they posted a 3-1 record in the last week, with wins over the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant is simply playing his best brand of basketball, averaging 32.2 points on 62.9 % shooting from the field, 56.2 % shooting from 3-point range, 91.2 % from the free-throw line, 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Durant has scored 30+ points in four of his last five games while leading the league in mid-range field goals. It’s safe to say that the NBA is better when Durant is healthy and playing at a peak level. Despite the absence of Kyrie Irving, Durant has taken an immense leadership role for the Nets ball club. Earlier this week, Durant received the Eastern Conference Player of the Week honours for the 28th time in his NBA career. On Tuesday night Stephen Curry led all scorers with 37 as the Nets fell to the Golden State Warriors 117-99.

Stephen Curry Anchors the Warriors Golden Start

Photo Credit: Matt Kelley (Associated Press)

After one month of playing, the Warriors are off to a “Golden” start. Anchored by Stephen Curry, the Warriors has posted a league-best 11 wins and is looking apparent to a championship contender. Despite underachieving the last two seasons, The Warriors are back in the discussion and playing a championship brand of basketball. Stephen Curry erupted for an NBA season-high 50 points, ten assists in a 127-113 win against the Atlanta Hawks.

“It means we’re headed in the right direction. Like I said last game, you can’t win a championship or anything like that in November. But you can put yourself in a really good position for the regular season to start thinking about playoff position and all that once you get there.”- Stephen Curry

At the ripe age of 33, Curry becomes the oldest player in NBA history to score 50 or more and ten assists in a single game. Curry is second in scoring (28.7) behind Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets. Curry is second in the KIA MVP race and was recently named the Western Conference Player of the Week after leading the Warriors to a 6-1 record during an eight-game homestand. Curry put on a show at the Barclays Centre leading all scorers with 37 as the Warriors win big 117-99 over the Nets.

Jokic looks to defend his MVP Crown

Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports

Without the Nuggets stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Jokic has posted put the team on his back, averaging 25.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5,7 assists. The reigning MVP climbed the KIA MVP ladder from #10 to #3 behind Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. Aside from the 9-5 start, Jokic will embrace a leadership role for the Nuggets ball club. With no timetable on Murray’s return, the Nuggets will look for players like Will Barton, Monte Morris, and veteran Jeff Green to step up. Will Jokic defend his MVP trophy? or will the NBA have a new MVP?

Paul George emerges as an early-season MVP candidate

Photo Credit: Michael Gonzales (Getty Images)

After a 1-4 start, many doubted the Clippers as a favourite to make it out of the Western Conference. With the absence of their franchise player Kahwi Leonard, Clippers magnified some of their deficiencies. A big part of changing that narrative was Paul George. In November, the Clippers have won eight of their last nine games. George is ranked third in scoring (27.0 ppg) and fifth in steals (2.2), all in a winning effort. In recent years George has been criticized for his post-season shooting slums and inconsistencies, but we can’t deny, is the stellar play from George this season. Without superstar Kahwi Leonard, the Clippers relied heavily on George’s scoring ability and defensive prowess. George finally makes his way on the NBA KIA MVP ladder despite being ranked last week. With no definite timetable for Leonard’s return, George will need to sustain his level and play in hopes of leading the Clippers for a deep with this season.

DeMar DeRozan fuels bulls with fire this season

Photo Credit: NBA

DeRozan has given the NBA a subtle reminder as to why he’s one of the top shooting guards in the league. Coming off a season-high 38 points that led to Bulls to a 121-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, DeRozan is silencing his critics. Following the victory in LA, DeRozan quoted “having so many chips on his shoulders” as he referred to the media at his press conference interview.

“I can go down the list of just being counted out, being looked over,So many chips that's on my shoulder that I carry. And just wanting to be a winner and wanting to enjoy this ride.” - DeMar DeRozan

In his 13th season, DeRozan is ranked 4th in scoring (26 ppg) while shooting in at 51% from the field. The four-time All-star has fueled the Bulls this season, followed by Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine. The trio of Ball, LaVine and DeRozan has created a potent offence that contributes to nearly 60% (58.3) of the Bulls total points (108 ppg), ultimately making them a top contender in the NBA.

Written by: Hussein Abdullahi

Published by: TGQ Inc.