Regular health issues don’t necessarily make the news in the NBA, but it is sort of a blind spot that many of us don’t think about. How do NBA players play an entire season, especially through the winter, without losing games to simple things like colds and the flu?
Hell, most of us can’t do our regular desk jobs with a cold. Imagine playing a professional basketball game while battling congestion and a sore throat.
Los Angeles Lakers big man JaVale McGee had an even more serious ailment recently. According to Chris Haynes at Yahoo Sports, McGee spent three days in the hospital with pneumonia. McGee was discharged on Saturday, but he will miss the Lakers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
Via Yahoo:The 11-year veteran was discharged from UCLA Medical Center after being admitted Thursday with a 104-degree fever following the Lakers’ return from a four-game road trip, sources said.
He was monitored and tended to by the Lakers’ team doctor throughout his stay, sources said.
The seven-footer will be with the team tonight when it hosts the Memphis Grizzlies, but he will be held out and is expected to be day-to-day moving forward, sources said.
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He began feeling ill before a road game in Houston on Dec. 13, but played through it. He was questionable two days later in Charlotte before giving it a go and producing 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks in 18 minutes in a 128-100 victory.
Those are serious conditions and anytime someone is hospitalized you worried for their safety. Luckily McGee was admitted to the hospital and team officials were monitoring his health.Hopefully he feels better soon.
