The article discusses 3 other NBA stars whose hamstring injuries cost them significant time on IR, ususally somewhere between several weeks to 2 months. All 3 had strains that were relatively minor so they tried to play after a couple of games, only to suffer 2nd degree tears and long times recovering.

This is what DP was trying to avoid. You can't just will yourself through hamstring sprains (the next step after cramping and tightness). The yammering seems to have died down mostly, but I still read comments by people here who think he really was just avoiding playing because of being soft.

We all saw how long it took Embiid to come back from his foot injuries.

For Foster, it might be a mixed blessing that Duke's season is over and he can let his foot recover without pressure or guilt.

I know the obvious is that DP goes pro... all that money awaits. But after this year played out, it doesn't really seem like DP is eager to go play in the NBA (No Boys Allowed) league. It's rough out there in the real world. His criticism here is just a mild case of what he will face in the NBA. And though it seems like many D1 fans are rough... this is nothing to how fans act at the next level.

What I'm saying is.. I think DP is gone because he also has people around him wanting to get paid. But if it truly is just DPs decision... I think he would prefer another year of seasoning before jumping over.

All that praise created the situation where our other players felt obligated to let DP take over games (which translated to them playing laid back).

Competition and "team play" overlap. I'm not saying players need to over-compete against each other, but no one gets a free pass. Players like Melvin were very capable of stealing more limelight this year.

I'm not trying to create drama here... the impact was actually subtle but when executed, we all know what we saw.

I wish no ill will feelings towards any of our players or Coach Self. This was a learning experience. And now we know!

Your NY Times link calls it right.

I looked back at my posts on this thread... hate to call out the critics with an "I told you so" but I was pretty accurate on my call.

Here it is:

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3 Dec 2025, 19:56
I still have confidence in his return and this is all a legitimate concern about his health.

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16 Dec 2025, 09:26 I don't think DP tweaked anything. I think he's just super sensitive to tightening and Self put down a rule on the max he can play in a game, plus, the option to pull him if he sees him labor. I think the media is just looking for a story.

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6 Jan 2026, 14:23

I find it highly likely DP has overtrained. I know I am going against the grain here because everyone wants to see him dominate and bring us to another title... but I've been impressed with his discipline to stick to a protocol. I'm certain it was that same discipline that brought him to this level in the first place.

It's easy for all of us to gripe at him and call him "oversensitive" to his situation. None of us had to endure what he did to get to this level, nor do we really comprehend what's at risk if he gets hurt.

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9 Jan 2026, 08:21

I also wonder if he might be battling psychological issues with this. Maybe a little ptsd from an early injury or issue. I don't think it has to be much to cause an over sensitive reaction because on top of it all is this huge payday awaiting him.

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2 Feb 2026, 14:21

I've been studying DP's game. I've never seen a college player so perfect on fundamentals. Those fundamentals weren't a God-given talent. He's worked his butt off his whole life to develop DP. But here is the deal... so has a lot of great players, but none reach the pinnacle of fundamental perfection like DP. That tells me he sits in the Top 1% of OCD perfection. Everything has to be perfect for him. So that same high-strung sensitivity he has for the game is also there assessing his second-by-second health bio during games. When he senses even a tiny tightness, or being tired a bit too much, he decides that puts him at a higher-level of injury risk.

If you study him closely, right now, when he's in a game you can tell how well he feels. Sometimes he gives near 100%, while other times he's not nearly as aggressive. He dials in an EXACT level of aggression.