"It's Ridiculous Watching You!": Former NBA Vet Calls Out Today's Players

As the injuries continue to pile up around the league, with star players and others seemingly dropping like flies on a daily basis, today's NBA players have gotten some advice this weekend from a former 15-year veteran who played in the rough-and-tumble '80s and '90s. 

Attention ALL @NBA players: The more you sit and skip games etc after getting hurt or injured THE MORE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO GET HURT OR INJURED. You have to build up pain tolerance. It’s ridiculous watching you guys sit for BS. I finished 2nd in rebs w a broken 🤚 in 93.

— Olden Polynice (@OldenPolynice1) November 26, 2022

Former 6'11" center Olden Polynice sent out this message to anyone in today's NBA who will listen:  

Attention ALL @NBA players: The more you sit and skip games etc after getting hurt or injured THE MORE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO GET HURT OR INJURED. You have to build up pain tolerance. It’s ridiculous watching you guys sit for BS. I finished 2nd in rebs w a broken 🤚 in 93.

Polynice called the reasons guys sit out games these days "BS" and that "you have to build up pain tolerance." He played less than 70 games only three times in his 15-year career, and says he had a broken hand when he pulled down 11.9 rebounds per game in the 1993-94 season to finish second in boards in the league. 

Overall, he completed his career after the 2004 season with over 1,000 games played and averages of 7.8 points and 6.7 rebounds for five different teams–the Seattle Supersonics, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz.

Others have felt compelled to follow up on Polynice's "advice" by pointing out other, much more acclaimed players, who played in that era while hurt. 

Kevin McHale played the 1987 NBA Finals with a broken foot. Jordan was playing with a severed tendon on his right index finger in 1998. Scottie played through a badly hurt back in 98. Kobe had an injured knee and a broken index finger in the 2010 finals. Y'all were different.

— Gilbert’s Grape (@sheepsemen) November 26, 2022

Be it Kevin McHale in the 1987 Finals on a broken foot, or Michael Jordan with a severed finger tendon in 1998, there are many examples. But others have pointed out that players didn't make the insane generational money back then that they do now. Today's players can't risk it, is the argument there. 

Feel free to discuss.

Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports