Calfs and achilles injuries and any muscle strain such as hamstring are from over working and over exertion. Players nowadays are playing way more games from their early childhood with AAU. They get to the league and their practice/summer workouts are super intense. Teams need to switch strategies when it comes to practices especially so that guys can play hard when it matters and have the appropriate rest. There's no need to be running suicides or doing physical full drill workouts anymore. Watch and study film, practice your shooting and touch so you stay sharp. No full game scrimmage.
I don't think they're playing more though. What players have not played all-year round? Even before AAU became what it is, major cities had winter leagues, summer leagues - multiple games at that in the summer, plus pick-up everyday...more intense at that, plus playing for their school teams, plus individual workouts. The only thing AAU did was compress a lot of that into 1, but the quantity has virtually remained the same.
I think the overexertion is due to going 25% during the regular season, THEN trying to rev it up for playoffs. Plus, less emphasis on workouts and practices during the season, plus the style these guys are playing. You want to constantly do hard, herky-jerky cuts like Barry Sanders, then wonder why you're having injuries. Everyone knows that at those sizes, your aren't supposed to be moving like that. They probably need to tape their ankles if that's how they are going to play...in low tops
