LeBron James, the star player for the Los Angeles Lakers and former member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has called on the NBA to address safety concerns related to the court design at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Cavaliers’ home arena. This plea comes in the wake of Miami Heat guard Dru Smith suffering a season-ending injury during a game against the Cavaliers.
The specific issue revolves around the unique court design at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, where there is a significant drop of approximately 10 inches from the basketball court to the thin sheet of rubber covering the hockey ice beneath it. Despite this design being in place for over 1,200 regular-season games, including numerous playoff matchups led by LeBron James, it took Smith’s injury to bring potential hazards to the forefront.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has labeled the court as “dangerous” and expressed doubt that any changes would be made. The Heat have officially contacted the NBA league office to voice their concerns, with Spoelstra and others in the league noting that there is no other court in the NBA with such a significant drop.
When asked about addressing safety concerns with the court, LeBron James affirmed the need for the league to examine and address the issue, stating, “Yes, the league should look at it. They should address it.”
The Los Angeles Lakers, the first team to play in Cleveland since Smith’s injury, engaged in discussions about the court’s safety during their morning walkthrough. Lakers coach Darvin Ham echoed LeBron James’ sentiment, emphasizing the importance of examining and improving the situation to prevent future injuries. Lakers player Austin Reaves expressed that the court situation is “a little scary.”
The court design in Cleveland, with its elevated surface, has been a fixture for the Cavaliers for the past 30 years. Despite the team’s familiarity with the conditions, the recent incident has sparked a broader conversation about whether modifications are necessary to ensure player safety. Potential remedies, including the possibility of replacing the thick blocks of wood between the court and the ice, are being considered.
As the NBA community awaits further developments, attention is focused on the league to address safety concerns and implement necessary changes to prevent future injuries on the Cleveland court.
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