Do NBA teams have strength and conditioning coaches?

[JimC1097]

If so, could a good s&c coach help a team stave off injuries? Just wondering why some teams have habitual injury problems. The Blazers for instance. Once again (aside from big bust Oden) we are decimated by injuries. Tonight against Golden State, we have 3 starters plus Oden out of action. Playing with guys that probably should not be in the league. We are ahead, but jeez painful to watch....

 

[Todd4State]

Because flexibility training is also part of strength training now a days, as well as proper stretching which helps prevent those pulls and strains. Also, if you are in shape, you will reduce your chances of getting hurt in general.

That said, there is nothing anyone can do to eliminate injuries altogether. For example, I think Balis is awesome, but we've lost Bumphis and Green to injury. That's not his fault. However, I think if you look at the amount of injuries that we had before he came and since he came on board, I believe you would see a significant difference.

Actually, just looking at our players since he has come on board, you can tell a big difference.

 

[JimC1097]

I was thinking that McMillan is a pretty good HC especially winning as much as he does with little talent. Portland would be real good at full strength.

Who know, I know some are just freak injuries, but why do some team suffer more than others. In basketball more so than football.. Football has more variables, I would think...

As I sit here watching the Blazers game with 4 guys I have never heard of play the Warriors.

 

[Todd4State]

Because of the nature of it and people like Dick Butkus trying to kill people, there has been a big emphasis on safety in football, and a lot of it has to do with the equipment being top of the line and rules being put in place aimed at player safety- especially if you are a QB.

Football players are also conditioned to take more abuse. They're bulkier in general. You also have more players in football. You lose a couple of players in basketball, your team could be shot.