COVID-19 has done damage to everyone worldwide. The NBA is not different. We have seen countless players' performances suffer after returning from it. Think of guys like Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown last year, who struggled to find a groove. Several other players have clearly had some drawbacks as well. Charlotte Hornets forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is just one of the latest to be added to the list. In a loss against the Atlanta Hawks, Oubre was 1/9 from deep. In his defense though, the team only cashed in on four of them out of 36 attempts. It was just one of those nights unfortunately.
Oubre scored 13 points and just missed some open looks and couldn't string any kind of run together. In the post-game presser he had this to say about his performance after playing a few games after Covid:
“It messes up your whole rhythm. You're at home for 10 days not being able to travel or leave. Gotta workout when you feel comfortable. You're not in control of your own destiny whenever you get sick. Coming back is tough, but that's why we do what we do. Gotta perform no matter what.”
Oubre has been the most consistent scoring threat off the bench for the Hornets all season long. He's cemented himself in that Sixth Man of the Year race. Not to mention he is a good two-player for the Hornets. Being able to get the job done on both ends of the floor is huge. It sucks to see Oubre in a slump, but his teammates have faith that he will find his rhythm again. Just ask Miles Bridges:
“It's hard being away from the game for 5-6 days. It feels like an eternity when you come back. We know what Kelly is capable of. Covid was a setback for him, but he'll bounce back.”
One things for sure, you will never have to tell Oubre to keep shooting. With all due respect, he is as trigger happy as it gets and will make sure he shoots his way out of this slump for the Hornets. Unfortunately, Covid is the main cause of it, but everyone just has to continue to adjust to this viral danger. Hopefully, we find a way to push past it and continue to live. Not just for the sake of the NBA, but for humanity in general.
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