Former NBA player Nick Van Exel had a different take on the Jayson Tatum injury.
Tatum sustained a torn Achilles for the Boston Celtics earlier this week against the New York Knicks. He is out the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery. The defending champion Celtics are facing elimination despite winning Game 5 Wednesday.
After the Tatum injury, Van Exel questioned the shoe choice of today’s player. He said too many are wearing low-tops.
Here’s what Van Exel wrote on X: “There have been Achilles tears throughout the years but my thoughts on them is that they happen more now and I think it has something to do with them dam lows the players wear nowadays. Cover them ankles up fellas.”
There have been Achilles tears throughout the years but my thoughts on them is that they happen more now and I think it has something to do with them dam lows the players wear nowadays. Cover them ankles up fellas.
— Nick Van Exel (@vanexel31) May 13, 2025
Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson are other recent stars to deal with Achilles injuries. In the 1980s and `90s, it was more common for players to wear high-top shoes. Van Exel was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1993. He played 13 seasons, making his lone All-Star Game appearance in 1998.
When fans questioned his take, Van Exel doubled-down on his comments.
He wrote on X: “I really believe it’s a part of it. Been saying it for years. It’s been happening to much over the past 5-7 yrs and all players are wearing lows. I don’t even know how you hoop in lows.”
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