Jamaaliver wrote:ATLHawksfan21 wrote:Blaming Horford's injuries on him playing Center is a cop out in my opinion. Why don't you see it happen more if it's a consequence of having a player play out of position against slightly bigger opponents?
I won't delve too much into this topic as it's one that is a hot button issue and one that we've discussed extensively. (Thread HERE!)
I wouldn't begin to quote anatomy, biology. I'm no expert by any means. I just have come to a conclusion based on what I've read over the years. AL has only gotten injured while playing bball, guarding two larger players. (Hibbert/Varejao) AL has asked for help in the post, stating it takes a toll on his body. AL played bball at a high level for a decade plus before these injuries. The main difference between past years and now, he has to guard bigger players.
It's possible that Horford, son of a professional athlete, considered a top player on multiple levels for more than a decade never learned proper weight-lifting technique. Not even after tearing his pec the first time and receiving months of rehab. This seems unlikely.
As far as why do some guys get hurt and not others? Who knows. Why does Rose tear an ACL on a non contact play and Teague not? All I know is AL expressed concern over getting beat up as an undersized 5. He's missed two of the last 3 years with injuries. I think these two statements are directly related.
I agree with what a lot of what you are saying and I'm sure it does tire Al out to guard centers. I still don't see how Varejao makes a difference on that play though. V was putting no weight on Horford and Horford was the one leaning over him. It just looks like a fluke injury to me. He wasn't overly applying pressure or having to strain a lot in a muscular way. He was just stretching fully in an attempt to swipe the ball.
