Could the NBA’s new in-season tournament (IST) courts not be as dangerous as star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown worried they might be? Brown, who went on record to voice his concerns about the safety of the new courts after a slip in a game vs. the Toronto Raptors injured his groin, could be mistaken about the IST courts being the problems according to recent reporting from Heavy’s Steve Bulpett.
“It’s not uncommon for players to slip,” said an unnamed league source. “Usually it’s a wet spot from sweat or their sneaker’s bottom doesn’t grip right in some position.”
“When it’s a new court or a refinished court at the start of the season, the complaint we most often get is that it’s too sticky,” they added.
New episode of the Celtics Lab Podcast on YouTube via @CLNSMedia ☘️🧪📺
Ahead of Friday's Celtics-Sixers game, what is the pecking order in the East? With @Ky_Carlin
Sponsored by: @FDSportsbook https://t.co/9RACqdOkhl
— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) December 1, 2023
“The IST courts probably just look slippery because the paint job is shiny, so any slipping can get blamed on that,” shared the anonymous league source.
Perhaps it is the case, but one can’t blame Brown — a Player’s Association vice president — for speaking out given his own experience.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
