Ten NBA stars missing from playoff bubble
The NBA Playoffs in 2019-20 have been forced to occur in unique circumstances in light of pre-cautionary measures to protect players contacting Covid-19. In an isolated one-state finale happening in Orlando, Florida, the 2020 NBA Bubble is missing key players. Here are 10 marquee players incognito from the proceedings, writes Jackson Onyango.
1. John Wall – Washington Wizards
Wizard point guard John Wall is a five-star NBA All-Star and defensive maestro. He unfortunately could not play the 2019-20 season due to a ruptured Achilles injury in December during an accident in his home.
He then developed an infection in the incision from the surgery in Jan 8, 2019 that ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.
2. Kevin Durant – Brooklyn Nets
In mid 2019, sharp shooter KD joined the New York franchise from former NBA Champions Golden State Warriors to assist Kyrie Irving return glory days to New York basketball.
Ironically, he made the move while nursing a ruptured Achilles tendon from 2019’s Game 5 final against Toronto Raptors.
His team went on to qualify for the Play-Offs as Eastern Conference eighth seed, but Durant is set to return to action in the 2020-21 season to fulfill his Sh16.4b 4-year contract.
3. Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
The Steve Nash successor with a lethal shot and a two-way threat is one of the biggest absentees from the 2019-20 playoffs after a promising individual season run with the Suns.
The shooting guard is a high volume scorer averaging 25 points per game, 6.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds saving face for a struggling Suns team that lost more games (39) than they won this season (35).
4. Stephen Curry – Golden State Wrriors
In what was the Warriors probably worst season ever given their team credentials, the obvious gap of missing the highest paid player in the NBA is worth noticing.
After an unprecedented three titles in the last six years, the greatest shooter of all time in the NBA is notably MIA after Warriors catastrophic season finishing last in the Western Conference standings.
5. Derrick Rose – Detroit Pistons
Despite being paired with one of the league’s amazing talents in power forward Blake Griffin, the youngest ever MVP D-Rose could not pull together his Pistons side.
Overcoming injury hazards, the Chicago native is an asset to any team, and having to sit out the Playoffs may give him time to train harder and probably a chance for the Pistons to recruit more firepower for the next season.
6. Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans
This season’s first draft pick was one of the most anticipated prospects ever in NBA having shown promising signs in the College Basketball League.
His intimidating physique, scary stature and dominant athletic nature posed a problem for any opposition and an advantage to his team.
Recruited among Lonzo Ball to replace now LA Lakers Center Anthony Davis, Zion suffered an early injury failing to inspire his fragile team to the NBA Playoffs.
7. Zach Levine – Chicago Bulls
With a growing influence and more impressive season for the Bulls, Levine is slowly becoming one of the most underrated superstars in the NBA.
Since entry into the NBA in 2014, the 25 year old has stedily been improving his shooting and overall game averaging 25.5 points a game.
If the Bulls can manage to build a title-challenging team around Zach, his true potential and input might become even more effective and plummet them into Playoff positions, a fete he is yet to experience in six seasons in the NBA.
8. Andre Drummond – Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland’s latest acquisition is former Detroit Piston’s Power Forward. Known for his second-chance conversion, rebound prowess, and intelligent positioning, the move to Cleveland from Detroit only proves it was almost divine for him not to see the Playoffs this season.
Cleveland is likely to bolster their squad to make best of one of NBA’s most optimistic prospects during the season to season break.
9. Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks
Trae’s stats only suggest that he is one of the most stand-out talents in the NBA.
Averaging almost 30 points per game, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds, he is an offensively gifted and productive player.
At 21-years-old, he is surrounded by a young group of players that is tipped to be a force in the coming years in the NBA.
10. Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies
The competitive rookie is touted to be placed among the NBA greats at a meek age due to his flagrant style of play.
His quickness, basketball IQ, tenacity, and conversion rate has basketball fans already comparing him to legends.
With experience he will be growing into a leader and a title challenger hopefully.
