Rookies will have it tough if the lockout stretches into the regular-season – NBA Update
Only about two months back, teams like Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz and the young talent they were drafting, were on the top of the world in the 2011 National Basketball Association draft.
Cleveland got Kyrie Irving with their No. 1 pick and Tristan Thompson with their No. 4 selection, Minnesota roped in Derrick Williams with No. 2, Utah Jazz acquired Enes Kanter at three, Toronto Raptors got hold on Jonas Valanciunas with the fifth and the list went on.
Although, the franchises had a fair bit idea that lockout would hamper their efforts of a quick acquaintance with their new star, it was the rookies, who were left stranded as soon as the league went into only the second lockout in its history.
The work stoppage has not only taken opportunities like the Rookie Transition Programme and the financial benefits from then, it has also put the careers of these young players in serious jeopardy. The work stoppage has cast dark cloud on the next season and there is a fair possibility that the next NBA season may not take place at all.
If that happens, these youngsters will have to spend a whole year without professional basketball action. After being drafted, they cannot go back to collegiate basketball and, except for a few; their stakes are not that high enough to get a call from foreign teams.
If the season does start with delay, they will miss the summer games and training camps. It is in this period that freshly drafted players learn how to adjust into a roster and coaches get to know them personally and assigns them their roles. Moreover, they also get an idea of what to expect at this level, as they spend time working out with the veterans that really helps them for future preparation.
What they learn in those sessions and games can never be replicated by personal trainer and pick up games and as such losing training camps will be great loss for the youngsters.
For now, most of the rookies are practicing with their old college coaches and team-mates and some of them still haven’t left their home towns or colleges. In fact Irving and Thompson had declared that they are returning to college in this lockout.
Irving wrote on his social networking account, "Just picked out my classes for the fall. Back to school it is!!"
Thompson was also found uttering the same words during an interview, "Even though I'm not playing basketball, I'm still being productive," he said. "I'm working out with the Texas team (where he played in college) and continuing to get my education."
However, not all rookies will attend the colleges and can neither go abroad in an already over stretched overseas scenario. So, if the NBA lockout stretches, they will surely be tested.
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