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I was just watching something on NBA.com where Dennis Scott was talking about how hard the back-to-back-to-back were for older players after the shortened 98-99 season. It got me thinking about how teams are going to fare after the extended lockout period and shortened training camps.

My guess is that a 66 game schedule is actually going to favor teams like Boston, San Antonio, and the Lakers, while teams like Philly, Sac, and LAC may struggle more as they are still meshing young pieces together. They shouldn't have to play and games three days in a row like they did after the last lockout.

So my question is who do we think benefits from the lockout at the team level? I'd open it up to any team, but I'd especially like to see what people who remember the 98-99 season (I was a youngin) think of the impact it will have on the wolves. Is there any angle where young teams should see this as a positive?

Older teams, with established cores, should be in the better position.

Darko Miliminutes wrote:Older teams, with established cores, should be in the better position.

Personally the squeezing in of games into a condensed schedule will be tought on players over 30. There won't be nearly as many rest days. Younger players will surely get somewhat burnt out as well but they have younger legs and should be able to withstand it better. And the pure amount of basketball may help them adjust.

If the NFL lockout has proven anything it's chemistry > inexperience.

[RCG] wrote:

Darko Miliminutes wrote:Older teams, with established cores, should be in the better position.

Personally the squeezing in of games into a condensed schedule will be tought on players over 30. There won't be nearly as many rest days. Younger players will surely get somewhat burnt out as well but they have younger legs and should be able to withstand it better. And the pure amount of basketball may help them adjust.

Certainly a decent point. But i believe there's speculation that the regular season will be lengthened. There's Still going to be more back to backs than usual, but nothing like the 50 game season. The older, more experienced teams, with a solid core and good chemistry should have the advantage. And i am also of the belief that these "older" teams will be shortening the minutes of their older stars.

Timberpuppy wrote:If the NFL lockout has proven anything it's chemistry > inexperience.

The NFL didn't have a condensed schedule. I also think football is a lot more dependent on preparation than basketball.

I don't think its the games but the shortened training camp that really hurts young teams.

The fast uptempo play style might be interesting to see..... if they have them back to back to backs.

Young teams like the Thunder, Bulls or Grizzlies actually have an advantage, IMO.

The Timberwolves don't have an advantage considering we just hired Rick Adelman and none of the players minus Brad Miller knows the system.

Grizzlies, Bulls and Thunder are all going to do well.

In 1999 The pacers and Jazz were the expected finalists and both teams were broken and tired by the time the playoffs rolled around.

Young legs will get you through those 4/5 games a week.

Foye wrote:Young teams like the Thunder, Bulls or Grizzlies actually have an advantage, IMO.

The Timberwolves don't have an advantage considering we just hired Rick Adelman and none of the players minus Brad Miller knows the system.

I think this is an interesting take and probably going to be proven correct.

The Heat probably have to be put in that group as well. They are still young as well.

I don't know about the team as a whole, but I think Rubio will benefit greatly from his workouts in Cali.

It's going to be really tough. As someone in another thread mentioned, Adelman doesn't like any interruptions to a standard training camp. How's he going to go preaching his gameplan to the youngest team in the league in a couple of weeks?

I think Adelman, Rubio and Williams will make a big difference, but It's just going to take time. I'm preparing myself for an ugly start to the season. I hope I'm wrong, as it's hard to remember the last time the Timberwolves started a season well, but the rushed start makes it hard to get a young group on the same page and firing early.

There might be a chance they start out all right. Most of the roster was here last season so, while they'll be playing under a new system, they're already familiar with each other.

shangrila wrote:There might be a chance they start out all right. Most of the roster was here last season so, while they'll be playing under a new system, they're already familiar with each other.

I guess it depends on how Adelman approaches it. If he eases Rubio and Williams into it and doesn't go all my way or the highway Rambis style from the start of the season it'll make it easier.

I think veteran teams that know the system are going to do even better this year. I expect that even when they play three straight games, their teamwork will give them big enough leads to allow their second-stringers to play major minutes and help protect older players.

What might happen though is that you have some older star players injured by the time the play-offs roll around, simply on the density of minutes - not totals.

Like others have mentioned, young teams in stable situations should benefit the most. If you have to protect your older players by playing them less minutes, that's a fairly large detriment.

Due to the lack of a real training camp, a team like Miami will be extra strong due to the individual brilliance of their players.

Dallas beat them last season by being well drilled and consistent. It is going to be hard for a team to be that again in such short notice.

southern wolf wrote:

shangrila wrote:There might be a chance they start out all right. Most of the roster was here last season so, while they'll be playing under a new system, they're already familiar with each other.

I guess it depends on how Adelman approaches it. If he eases Rubio and Williams into it and doesn't go all my way or the highway Rambis style from the start of the season it'll make it easier.

In Adelman's first season in Sacramento, the Kings started the year 17-22 before finishing 10-1.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/tea ... games.html

Lots of new faces.