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In Portland's basketball circles, there has been a particularly hot topic lately - that is, the medical team of the Portland Trail Blazers has been nicknamed the "Portland Veterinarian Group". The name sounds a little funny, but the story behind it is not simple. It's not just a basketball story, it's a big topic that has sparked controversy and heated debate.
Let's start with a major event that happened on February 10, 2023. On that day, there was a big deal in the NBA, and the Warriors, Trail Blazers, Pistons, and Hawks were all mixed up. The key point is that the Warriors sent away Wiseman in exchange for Trail Blazers guard Payton Jr. It sounds pretty normal, but there's something greasy about it.
Peyton Jr. was originally doing well with the Trail Blazers. It should have been a good thing for him to join the Warriors, but not long after he arrived with the Warriors, he was diagnosed with a right core muscle strain and a right ankle latent injury. It was a bolt from the blue for the Warriors. Why? Because Peyton Jr. looked so good when he was with the Trail Blazers. Warriors owners are starting to wonder if Portland is hiding something.
As soon as it was impossible to check, the Warriors discovered that Payton Jr. had been seriously injured while he was with the Trail Blazers. What's more, the medical team of the Trail Blazers turned a blind eye to this and let him play with an injury. This not only made Payton Jr. more seriously injured, but also caused a big loss to the Warriors.
The Warriors were so angry that they took the Trail Blazers to court. Although the Warriors got compensation in the end, it was not enough for them, especially in Curry's prime.
But that's just the beginning. Let's look back at 2010. That's when the Trail Blazers sent Martell Webster to the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves soon discovered that Webster's back injury was so severe that it required surgery. It's not a common thing in the NBA, but it's especially common with the Trail Blazers.
These things not only cast doubt on the competence of the Trailblazers' medical team, but also expose deeper problems. Is it the Trail Blazers' management that cares about the health and future of the players in order to win? This practice not only causes long-term damage to the players, but also damages the team's reputation and the trust of the players.
Let's talk about the lawsuit between legendary Bill Wharton and the Trail Blazers. Wharton suffered a serious ankle injury in 1976-1978. But according to him, the Trailblazers' medical team not only did not properly treat his injuries, but even concealed the true nature of his injuries. Wharton's accusations expose the Trail Blazers' big problem: management and the medical team are willing to sacrifice the long-term health of their players for short-term wins.
Wharton's case is not unique. His former teammate Bob Gross went through a similar situation. In one game, Gross suffered a left ankle injury, but the team doctor only downplayed a minor tendon strain, and as a result, he continued to play with the injury. This not only delayed treatment, but also aggravated the injury. This negligence and irresponsible attitude once again exposes the harsh reality behind the moniker "Portland Veterinarian Heaven".
The Trail Blazers have been plagued by injury issues over the years. Greg Oden and Brandon Roy are two examples. Their careers ended early due to injury, which cast doubt on the Trail Blazers' ability and management's decision-making. Oden's leg problems when he joined the Trail Blazers went undetected or treated, and Roy's knee injury was treated sloppily. These things gradually reveal a tragedy: a team with a long history, because of the negligence and irresponsibility of the management and medical team, which has clouded the careers of countless players.
Behind these events, we can see a cruel truth: driven by business and results, the management of some teams may not care about the health and long-term future of the players, but only for short-term wins and profits. This practice is not only contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship, but also poses a serious threat to the lives and health of players.
As fans, we should not only care about the outcome of the game, but also about the health and rights of the players. A responsible team is not only about winning, but also about protecting the health of its players and ensuring that they are in the best possible condition to bring a great game to the team and the fans. These incidents with the Portland Trail Blazers are a reminder. What should fans think of this situation? Do you have any thoughts or suggestions? Feel free to leave a message in the comment section to discuss.