New York Knicks could benefit from a shortened NBA season
Before Monday, there was a slight hope that labour dispute will end soon but after the disastrous announcement of termination of first two weeks of regular season chances are the whole season will be cancelled courtesy of the never
ending NBA lockout.
However, there is still a thin possibility of a shortened season just like the 1998-1999 season when lockout curtailed the season to 50 games contrary to the regular 82 games.
Despite the fact, New York Knicks had a talented core of rosters in the form of Latrell Sprewell and Patrick Ewing; they initially put up a disappointing show and barely made their way to playoffs by defeating the Charlotte Hornets.
It was after playoffs they start displaying brilliance.
Patrick Ewing and Sprewell were outstanding players but by 1998-1999, they had gone too old. Ewing was 36 and other prominent players were all older than 27.It wouldn’t be wrong to think that Knicks wouldn’t have even qualified
to playoffs if it was not for a shortened season as pressure of playing 82 games would even then have proved too much for the fragile bodies of aging players in the team.
In 50 games, they games ended with a record of 27-23 which is not too alarming and could have been way worse if it was a regular season.
However, Knicks went on to defeat the Miami heat in the semis and after thrashing Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers, made their way to the finals where they eventually had to taste defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.
Shortened season helped them big time then. The team that at one time was on the brink of getting eliminated from the tournament made its way to the Conference finals.
Knicks have an excellent lineup for upcoming season but in some way they have the same misery as they had back then. All the main players are either nearing thirties or above it.
35 year old Chauncey Billups, who is not as agile as he used to be, could definitely use the extended offseason to give enough rest to his aging legs. Also if the season gets shortened, his game time will be more and so he would
be able contribute more to the team.
Amar’e Stoudemire, another giant in the team is being troubled with a knee injury for a while now. Lockout has provided him extra time for his knee to heal.
Then there is Carmelo Anthony, a new addition to team who is outstanding player. Playing fewer games would mean he would be more focused and won’t be spotted running lethargically in the court which he often does.
Knicks are the sort of team who start in excellent manner but slow down as the season approaches because of the aging factor of the players. They could probably reverse the phenomena if there is a shortened season.
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