2021-2022 MAVS NEWS: 4th in West | WCF loss [ARCHIVED]

[dirkfansince1998]

In this case, it pretty much is.  The two choices are degenerative chronic injuries vs injuries that happen because of contact, breaking it's not a chronic weakness that will keep happening regardless of contact or not.

The entire point about KP's injuries were that they were all contact things, NOT because he was breaking down.

Let's not quibble about semantics.

Not really. This would suggest that the risk to suffer from a contact related injury or other external risks is equal for all players. But that´s obviously not the case. Player one can twist his ankle without anything happening. Player two can end up with a season ending ligament injury. Obviously a oversimplification but it is easy to understand the difference. How many times did Dirk twist his ankle without suffering a major injury compared to other players like Curry.

In KPs case it is difficult to figure it out. It´s not like he tore his ACL because somebody smashed his knee. He dunked the ball. Giannis made contact in the air and KP lost his balance. Hard to tell what exactly happened but I think he hyperextended his knee. Each case is different and for lack of words randomness or luck involved. Maybe another player walks away without any injury. For example...Giannis. He hyperextended his knee in the playoff series against the Hawks (looked way worse than the KP injury but that obviously doesn´t mean a lot) without suffering severe ligament injuries.

Per definition KP isn´t suffering from degenerative knee issues. At least as far as we know. But it also doesn´t mean that KP isn´t among the more injury-prone players.
It is hard to come up with a word but there is a difference between being just unlucky. Ending up in the wrong place at the wrong time. And being less durable. More likely to suffer from similar contact/impact than other players.

And it also doesn´t mean that the two old injuries will not impact his future as a basketball player. Not to start another medical discussion but there is a clear connection between a torn ACL and future meniscus/cartilage issues. Also the potential impact of scar tissue. Leading to chronic knee pain or limited stability/mobility.
Injuries take a toll on the body. Surgeries as well. And outside of @"KillerLeft"  and @"Kammrath" we haven´t really mentioned the mental aspect. Even if he regained 100%  functionality after both injuries (very unlikely, basically never happens) he might not be willing to risk another injury.