Kobe Bryant. Derrick Rose. Russell Westbrook. Dwyane Wade. David Lee. Steve Nash. Rajon Rondo. Danilo Gallinari. Jeremy Lin. Amar'e Stoudemire. Danny Granger. Larry Sanders.
No, this isn't a team for some fantasy NBA pickup game.
All these notable players have injuries that are either hampering them or keeping them out for the rest of the NBA postseason.
Yes, injuries are part of the game, but they are ruining the entertainment value of this year's NBA playoffs.
The playoffs appeared to have so many great matchups in the first round on paper. The postseason is when casual fans finally start watching the NBA. Right now, they're getting a subpar product.
There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a key player helping his team make it to the playoffs for the entire season get sidelined when it actually matters.
The expression Bryant's face when he attempts his final two free throws after tearing his Achilles before the playoffs truly shows that.
Critics want players to play harder in the regular season every night but do not understand the wear an 82-game season puts on a player's body.
Maybe Commissioner David Stern should think twice before fining San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for resting his stars in a meaningless games.
Today, Popovich still looks like the best head coach in the NBA by a mile. And the Spurs still look like a title contender.
Reach the columnist at jnacion@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Josh_Nacion
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