The NBA needs Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving back as soon as possible

OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 27: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors hug each other prior to the start of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on January 27, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

With the ongoing COVID dramas spiraling through the NBA, the league has entered somewhat of a lull period as we enter the new year. With so many players, including a number of superstars, having spent time in health and safety protocols, it’s difficult to gauge what some results mean going forward.

The further opportunities for young players and G-League products is an undoubted positive, as is the nostalgic impression felt when the likes of Joe Johnson, Mario Chalmers, and Greg Monroe are signed to hardship exemption contracts.

But that’s largely offset by the missing talent across the league, and some of the unrecognizable starting lineups we see on a nightly basis.

The NBA needs Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving back as soon as possible

The NBA needs some positive energy, something to breathe life into the season aside from the individual heroics of the league’s superstars. The reintroduction of Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving will, at the very least, generate renewed interest for more than just fans of their respective teams.

Often unassuming and happy to take a backseat to his more high-profile and outspoken teammates, Klay Thompson is one of the most well-respected players around the league. On the court, there are not many players, if any, that can match the 31-year-old’s shooting prowess when in a rhythm.

It’s a tragedy for anyone to be dealt two of the most serious injuries an athlete could suffer, let alone when they’re in the prime of their career. That’s why Thompson, and by extension fans, feel robbed, given last time we saw him he was averaging 26 points on 58.5 percent from deep in a Finals series.

His return, most likely this month and potentially within the next ten days, will be the kind of heartwarming moment that’ll unite NBA fans from across the globe.

Kyrie Irving’s well-documented absence has been for other reasons, often causing a division between fans given the political nature. But whether or not you align with Irving’s off-court beliefs, there’s no denying the entertainment he provides on the hardwood.

With an incredible array of ball-handling and shotmaking mastery, the game is better when Irving’s spinning his magic.

Together, the return of Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving will revive the league’s battle to find stability; the balance between advocating for the health and safety of the community, and preserving itself as an entertainment product.

Their returns are why sport is such a pillar of society, why it means so much to so many. When they’re introduced back to the game and we get to witness them on the floor again, we’re afforded a moment where we forget the challenges that life provides.

That’s what makes it special, regardless of how fleeting the moment may be.