From Giannis Antetokounmpo to Anthony Davis: Top 5 Players Who Have Severely Benefited From the NBA Hiatus

When the NBA suspended the league in March, there was an air of uncertainty on whether it would resume. This enforced break broke the momentum of teams who were trying to make a late push for playoffs, but some players benefited from it. We’ll be looking at five players who have used this period to recover and get back to their best for the playoffs.

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Back in March, Giannis injured his left leg during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The MRI showed a minor joint capsule sprain. Had he kept on playing, it would have worsened. But he has used this time to fully recover. Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed the news while speaking to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan. Budenholzer said, “It’s a huge advantage for us that Giannis will be completely and totally healthy. He’s in a great place, both mentally and physically.”

The 2019 NBA Most Valuable Player will be on a mission to have a better post-season than last year and prove that the Bucks are more than just a regular-season team.

#2 Anthony Davis

Throughout the season, Davis has been playing with recurring injuries. He had started the season with a bad shoulder. Then earlier this year, he had a nasty fall against the Knicks where he injured his tailbone. So he has made the most out of this time, and is now raring to go. “It’s been good for me to let some of the lingering injuries I had toward the time when the NBA stopped kind of recover and heal,” Davis said, speaking to Greg Beacham from The Associated Press,. ”(I can) get back into the best version of myself. I feel 100% healthy. Well, I don’t ‘feel,’ I am (100% healthy). I feel like I’m ready to go.”

Along with LeBron James, Davis will be looking to lead the Lakers’ charge in the playoffs. He will be gunning for his first-ever ring, this offseason.

#3 Ben Simmons

Simmons first had a back injury back in February during practice. When he played against the Bucks a few days later, he had to leave the game midway owing to injury. He then missed the rest of the 76ers’ games before the season was suspended.

But recently, pictures and images of him playing again with LeBron James surfaced where he looked fitter than before. Last week in a conference call with reporters he confirmed, “I’m feeling better than I was when I started the season. I know what I’m capable of with my body and it just feels very good and overall I feel like I’m back to 100 percent.”

With him back, the duo of Embiid and Simmons can show how dangerous they can be and can avenge last season’s heartbreaking loss in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.

#4 Zion Williamson

The NBA’s new poster boy, Zion, injured his knee during the Summer League and had to wait almost two months before he could make his debut. Then later in February, he had another minor injury. But last month, the New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations, David Griffin confirmed that Zion is back and ready to hit the court. “Zion has been diligent about taking care of himself. He’s in a good space physically and mentally.”

His arrival will certainly boost the ninth seed Pelicans as they aim to overtake the eighth seed Grizzlies. This could lead to a potential LeBron vs Zion first-round matchup in the playoffs and NBA execs say that could be similar to the Michael Jordan vs Celtics 1986 playoff matchup.

#5 Malcolm Brogdon

In this break, Brogdon has not only recovered from an injury but also from the coronavirus. In March, he suffered a torn left rectus femoris. And later in June, he tested positive for coronavirus. Then yesterday he tweeted saying, “Thanks to everyone who’s asked how I’m feeling. I’m feeling well, and I’m ready for Orlando.”

With him back, the Indiana Pacers will able to witness the duo of Brogdon and Oladipo in action in the playoffs. The Pacers are currently tied with the 76ers for the fifth seed and will be eager to cement their place there.