Boston Celtics will benefit from a shortened NBA Season – NBA feature
The NBA lockout is in its fourth month and after Tuesday’s meeting between the NBA owners and the players union, it is almost a certainty that some at least some of the NBA games will be shelved next season. Normally, the training
camps start at this time but since that is not likely going to happen any time soon, let us, in the mean time discuss where the 17 times NBA champions Boston Celtics stand at the moment and what will be the effect of a shortened season will be on the franchise.
At the moment Celtics have only seven players under the contract. They include the Big Three trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, point guard Rajon Rondo, forward Avery Bradley, centre Jermaine O'Neal, who will be
retiring after next season, and forward Jeff Green. The rest of the players have either not been given contract extension – case in point, Delonte West – or have retired – Shaquille O’ Neal.
It was expected the C’s will launch a massive player hunt in the free agency and will also make some trades this summer, but the lockout has ensured that they maintain the status co.
Even in the present shape, the Celtics are loaded with super stars. They have the Ray Allen, the leading three point shooter of all times; in Kevin Garnett, they have the nine times Defensive Player of the year and then there is
Paul Pierce, the forward who is considered as one of the best in the business.
Along with these stars, the C’s have an exceptional point guard in Rajon Rondo, who except for his shooting, is as good as anyone in the league.
However, the problem the Celtics face is of the age factor.
Shaquille O’ Neal is history, Jermaine O’ Neal will be. The Big Three are also on their last legs. In short, time is running out for the Big Boys and they have to introduce new faces sooner rather than later.
Their main players are not going to be there for very long and probably retire at the end of next season or so.
Considering the entire scenario, if the lockout wipes out some of the games next season like in 1998, the situation might be a blessing in disguise for the Celtics and they will have the best chance to grab the champion title for
18thtime.
In the last season, Celtics had the best record in the first half of the season and they practically looked impossible to beat. In 55 games, they won 41 and lost only 14. However as the tournament progressed, the energy level faded
down and when they came face to face against the Miami Heat, they just couldn’t match the hustle.
A short next season will naturally go in favour of the Celtics. Fewer games will give more respite to the veteran core of the Greens in the regular season and by the time, they will reach the playoffs, the fatigue factor will go
out of the picture, leveling the playing field against teams like Heat and the Chicago Bulls.
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