They’re back

In a sport where athletes play for the greater part of the year, inumerable number of hours are put in just to reach peak form but the pobability of getting injured is high.  When it does, all the hard work goes on hold when they rehabilitate from season-ending ailments.

It won’t be easy for players coming back from long-term injuries and we, fans, should tone down our expectations and give them time to transition to their old competitive and dominant forms.   Here are some of the big names returning to action for the 2022-2023 NBA season.

JOHN WALL - for active NBA players, Wall is second to Chris Paul in assists with an average of 9.1 per game.  One of the game’s best ambidextrous playmakers, he is in a position to lead the LA Clippers to the Finals as lead facilitator.  In his season debut against the LA Lakers, he had 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and a steal in 25 minutes of action.

KAWHI LEONARD - the Clippers now have a healthy Kawhi on board who played 21 minutes in his first game after a season-long absence posting 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.  Also known for his defense, Leonard has the uncanny ability to take over games in crucial situations and LAC needs him if they hope to raise the championship trophy by season’s end.

ZION WILLIAMSON - basing on his last three games, it seemed that Zion wasn’t sidelined for a season due to a slow-healing foot injury.  With an intriguing mix of speed, strength and athleticism, the 22-year old is almost unstoppable inside the paint.  New Orleans managed to improve without him last season and there’s no reason the Pelicans won’t do better this time.

JAMAL MURRAY - the star guard is back from a surgically repaired left knee to a much improved Denver squad but he’s still on minutes restriction.  In two games, Murray submitted averages of 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 26.5 minutes.

MICHAEL PORTER, JR. - Denver also has the return of MPJ following a back surgery.  Coach Michael Malone is giving him playing time considering his point production.  Averaging 30 minutes in three games, he had 14.2ppg and 6.1rpg.  Despite his defensive lapses, he, together with Murray and Nikola Jokic will be Denver’s key to climb up in the WC.

JAMES WISEMAN - a knee injury forced the 7-foot Wiseman to miss the whole of his sophomore season.  With a nice shooting touch, coach Steve Kerr had slowly integrated him into the rotation, alternating with starting center Kevon Looney.  In two games, he averaged 9.5 points and 6 rebounds.

BEN SIMMONS - with his reluctance to score, Brooklyn needs him to focus more on passing and defense.  After a tough first game where he had 4 points and 5 rebounds, he found his groove in the second game by grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing 8 assists and with 6 points in 32 minutes of action.

Yes, they’re back and they will rise again.