Last year we saw a rash of injuries, and some can be attributable to bad luck, but even if it was only luck, the team could probably take a few steps to minimize lower the risk for next season.

1.  Don't over-work our players in the off-season.  The NBA season is grueling, and now we have this idea formed by an elite few that every athlete should be working out all the time.  There is success to be gotten from resting and letting bones and muscles heal.  It doesn't mean don't work out.  It means lower the intensity of the work-outs.  Unless your on steroids the body has a fixed recovery time thats needed in order to properly continue to repair damage from the previous work out.

Each player should choose one or two things to master in the off-season.  Focus on those, but figure the conditioning should be built in the last few weeks of the off-season when we're having regular practices.  I rather have players finish the season in game shape than start the season in game shape.

2.  Fix the roles for the team.  We're at the point where we've got a tighter roster and can figure out what each player is doing.  If coaching fixes roles and rotations to a certain degree players will be able to just practice.  One of the things you read in articles was how intense our practices were at the beginining of the season.  At the begining of last season we had potential 3 starting small-forwards, 3 starting point guards and a back-up 2 and a backup center that could have started for some teams in the league.  Practices were battles for position, not workouts to build a flow and choose how this team will crush people.

With the Travis/Steve trade we're actually in better position this year to go into the off-season.  Except for Rudy, every player should know their role on the team.  Now they don't have to battle each other just themselves.

 This means don't trade for another small-forward or point guard.  Right now we're good.  We've got a clear 1, 2 and 3 in each of those positions.  If Rudy is traded, it should be for a back-up two, or he should be bundled with a starter for another starter.  We can't just add more talent any more.  

3.  Limit summer international play.  As much as Rudy and Nic want to play internationally this summer.  They came back hurt.  Let them have a full season off to relax and heal.  Nic's shoulder isn't great, Rudy's body and spirits aren't great.  They need a break.

These things as well as figuring out how to protect Greg's knees will help make it so next year we can just play basketball.