NBA: Resetting the East team rosters heading into the restart
By Kyle Craib
Resetting the NBA’s East team rosters
NBA basketball is back. Oh, how long we’ve all waited to say that phrase.
After months of planning, the NBA invested $150 million to create an isolated bubble for the 22 perspective playoff teams at an Orlando Walt Disney World Resort. The top nine teams from the Eastern Conference and 13 from the West have begun gearing up for the official July 30th restart, starting off with a trio of scrimmages (which are now completed) each to get back into game shape.
NBA players can finally have the opportunity to shake off the rust from the pseudo-offseason, getting back into rotations that squads had been working with throughout the year.
For some, this break was exactly what the doctor ordered (pun intended). Playoff-bound teams like the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz were grinding through injuries in the back half of the season and beginning to hobble towards the finish line. But, due to the NBA hiatus, many players took the opportunity to rehab their injuries and combat fatigue.
On the other hand, the stoppage caused teams who were rolling into the break to lose that forward momentum that they had.
Aside from that, positive COVID-19 test results or any other personal reasons for a player’s absence from the bubble can affect a roster, especially when it’s a key player they are losing. And when one door closes, another opens for young players and vets who were previously out of the league and looking for that second chance.
After it all shakes out, one question remains: How does that restructure the hierarchy of things in the East? Let’s take a look at the roster moves from each team and evaluate how each team stacks up against their conference competitors.