Is it just me or the number of injured star players increase every year?

[Akeem34TheDream]

Nowadays nobody plays 82 games. Its kinda crazy or even stupid. Almost every player does load management to a level. Even with all that players miss a lot of games due to injuries even in playoffs. Is the style of play the reason for it? Or are players more cautious(soft) by not risking a bigger injury and securing a big contract?
I feel like the number of injuries grew so much that it kills the NBA hype a bit.

[FultzNationRISE]

I think in general players arent rushed back nearly as quickly, which is a big part of the discrepancy in how much time is missed.

[BigShotBob]

Soft, weak, very poor flexibility training (seriously yoga will help prevent injuries), overly cautious medical staffs, poor diet, no strength and conditioning, etc, etc. Just pathetic honestly.

[90sgoat]

Soft, weak, very poor flexibility training (seriously yoga will help prevent injuries), overly cautious medical staffs, poor diet, no strength and conditioning, etc, etc. Just pathetic honestly.

Agreed, whatever the cause it makes the players look bad and spoilt and like people who don't really want to play.

Most of these injuries are not real injures is my guess. Teams just want to rest their stars.

Then there's a lot of it in the game that facilitates injuries, like the game is more straight lines now than in the past, which was more vertical.

A lot of play today is about seeing the open line to the hoop and just throwing yourself into that.

In the past, the paint was more clogged, so you couldn't just do the Giannis/Embiid tumble, you had to go up and under, or dunk on people.

I also think the less physical game has selected for weaker players. The players today look noticeably slimmer than in the 90s and 00s. More muscle mass usually means less injuries.

[PP34Deuce]

Basketball is much more demanding in the joints. The game is faster paced like soccer. So much stop and starting combined with explosive movements....

[FKAri]

Game is faster than before. More reliant on quickness rather than strength. Leads to more injuries.

Also, players want longer careers so they avoid playing through minor injuries which could potentially shorten their careers.