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Lockout Pros?
Posted by: Lowery Johnson on September 5th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.
What do these pictures have in common, besides pain? All these players are in the Western Conference. They are the biggest names on their team; they’ve proven that they are some of the toughest, some of the best, some of the greatest that will ever be. They are also, undoubtedly some of the players we love to hate because we’ve seen the Utah Jazz struggle against them time and time again. Another thing that these players all have in common, they’re all over 30. Similar to these players but from a different era we have John Stockton. Stockton went into the 1998-1999 lockout at the age of 34, having played one of his hardest seasons ever, almost clenching the ring he so deserved. Four years after the lockout of ‘99 ended, so did his career. His individual performance on the court post-lockout didn’t decline significantly, but the team’s performance as a whole did. Some articles cite the ‘99 lockout as the reason the Jazz lost championship hope. The 50 games shoved into the 89 day season proved to be challenging for players, especially the older ones.
Fast forward to this season, the lockout is lingering, thick like fog in a horror movie. So far reports indicate it’s not going anywhere. That sucks. But as I review the lockout of ‘99 I’m thinking this lockout could have some pros. The Western Conference, with teams like the Lakers, Mavericks, and Suns, is full of older players. A lockout could potentially be really tough for these teams, especially if like the last lockout they end up playing back-to-back-to-backs, it could be career ending. It will become harder and harder for Dirk, Kobe, and Steve to bounce back from injuries like the ones above.
I see this as a pro. I understand we have a lot of rookies, and lockouts can prevent rookies from developing the way they should, but I also understand our star players aren’t over 30. They are physically more capable (if they take care of themselves and stay in shape) to handle a more condensed season. I think that this lockout could potentially weaken the West and give Utah the opportunity to advance in the conference and maybe, just maybe, win the conference final.
What do you guys think?
Replies: 6
Views: 797
6 Responses
You know what? I don’t think there are any +’s from that lockout or the one we’re cascading out of control right now. We’ll see.
Only the end of the lockout will show I suppose.
When I look up and down all the rosters in the western conference, as a fan of the Jazz, I’m really excited about the next 5 years.
The Mavs, Lakers, Spurs, and Suns have some aging core veterans, whose skills will continue to erode each season, as the wear and tear on their bodies increases, and more importantly, they have yet to acquire satisfactory replacements.
Teams like Minnesota, Sacramento, the Clippers, and Golden State have talent, but I’m skeptical of how much future success they will have, based on previous poor team management, coaching, and ownership.
Will Chris Paul stay in New Orleans?
How will Portland recover from the potential losses of Oden and Roy?
Who will Denver build around? They have a number of free agents who may jump ship.
What will the future hold for Houston without Yao Ming?
Will Memphis be able to keep their core intact, and even if they can, was the playoff run of last season merely a case of a team that just happened to hit a hot streak, and took advantage of a favorable matchup?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the best position to become the most dominant team in the conference in the next five years. But, I then view the Jazz, as the team with the next brightest future. Utah has an incredible amount of young talent (Evans, Hayward, Favors, Burks, and Kanter) with a collection of vets in their prime (Jefferson, Millsap, Harris, and Miles), and more draft picks on the near horizon. The Jazz, potentially, could have a deeper team then OKC,though they will have a hard time trying to stop the two-headed monster of Durant and Westbrook.
Great observations Jason! I think you make a lot of great points, i think Houston is in trouble personally. As for some of the other teams you mentioned, I think Portland on OKC have potential to also climb the western conference ladder along with the Jazz. If our rookies develop, and we figure out a nice chemistry on the team that we lacked last year, I say bring on Westbrook/Durant. :]
Houston just needs to give in and tank it. Trade Martin and Scholar for some youth and draft picks and start the rebuilding.
I am just growing increasingly angry at the Player’s Association. They get to play a game that thousands bust their butt off to play for fun, and in times where the economy is taking huge hits the world over, the don’t want to play because they feel like they don’t get their do.
In what industry do the workers get that much money based on total income? I wager in none.
Cut the crap, cut a deal with the NBA and get back to playing ball, greedy slaggards!