Will KG retire if there is a lockout?

[LarBrd33]

I was listening to Bill Simmons podcast with Jackie Macmullan and she seemed pretty convinced that if the Celtics won the title and there was a lockout... he'd call it a career.  She made mention that he has dropped subtle hints that this could be his last season  (example:  saying it was a nice final allstar game)... hinted his body is in more pain than anyone knows, etc. 

Any of you come to terms yet with the fact this could be our last few months seeing KG play?  I'd throw Ray in there as well...  If there's a lockout, I don't think either of them comes back for 2012-13 season. 

[rondohondo]

I was listening to Bill Simmons podcast with Jackie Macmullan and she seemed pretty convinced that if the Celtics won the title and there was a lockout... he'd call it a career.  She made mention that he has dropped subtle hints that this could be his last season  (example:  saying it was a nice final allstar game)... hinted his body is in more pain than anyone knows, etc. 

Any of you come to terms yet with the fact this could be our last few months seeing KG play?  I'd throw Ray in there as well...  If there's a lockout, I don't think either of them comes back for 2012-13 season. 

I think it's a real possibility . KG is near the top in mins played all time. If the C's win the title this year I think there is a good chance both Shaq and KG retire.

Ray is in great shape though so I could easily see him playing another 3 years.

[Interceptor]

I was listening to Bill Simmons podcast with Jackie Macmullan and she seemed pretty convinced that if the Celtics won the title and there was a lockout... he'd call it a career.  She made mention that he has dropped subtle hints that this could be his last season  (example:  saying it was a nice final allstar game)... hinted his body is in more pain than anyone knows, etc. 

Any of you come to terms yet with the fact this could be our last few months seeing KG play?  I'd throw Ray in there as well...  If there's a lockout, I don't think either of them comes back for 2012-13 season.

We're probably going to find out how much KG really loves the game.  I'd say that he doesn't quit until hoopin' just isn't rewarding anymore.  It's hard to know how much playing in a reduced role would grate on him, since he's such a closed book on some things.

Ray?  He can play until he's 40, even if the last few years are off the bench.  He is in such ridiculous shape.

[LarBrd33]

Well if the entire year is lost, his contract will run out.  I can't see him taking an entire year off and then really wanting to come back at age 36.  It's gotta be draining to keep up that level of intensity.  He'd have to commit to keeping his aging body in NBA shape for an entire year (without NBA games and practices) only to come back as an elderly player.  I can't see it happening.

[hpantazo]

I think if we win it, KG, Shaq, JO, and possibly Ray all retire. It's tough for any of them to come back after a year off at their age, and I believe KG has some serious pain from all the years he's taken a beating, and he's too proud to go on when he'd be a shadow of himself

[indeedproceed]

KG said at the beginning of the season that if there was a lockout and the season was lost, he'd probably walk away.

[hpantazo]

KG said at the beginning of the season that if there was a lockout and the season was lost, he'd probably walk away.

even more reason to appreciate every moment we have this year with this team and not nit pick everything

[bdm860]

You never know.

Sure he might retire, but as so many guys have proven in the past, just because you're retired doesn't mean you have to stay retired.

Say we win it all, July 1st rolls around and we end up with a lockout.  KG doesn't want to deal with the lockout mess so he says he's retiring.

After an extended vacation, and some nice R&R, his body feels better, the competitive juices start flowing, and he forgets why he retired in the first place.

Not too far out of the realm of possibility. 

Magic Johnson came out of retirement.
Michael Jordan retired after the last lockout, only to come out of retirement for the 2nd time.
Kevin Johnson retired after the last lockout too and ended up coming back.
Alonzo Mourning retired in 2003 and was back in 2004.
Tim Hardaway and PJ Brown both retired for about 3/4 of a season.
I'm still hoping Sheed comes out of retirement 

So even if KG retires, there will always be the hope he makes a comeback (as long as it's with the C's).

[slamtheking]

I think it's a possibility based on a couple of factors.
1. if the C's win the title this year, I think that dramatically increases the probability.
2. if the entire season is lost, I also think that dramatically increases the probability.
I figure either one of those would put the odds at 50%.  If both, I think it's a lock to happen.  I think Ray may fall into the same boat on that.

If C's don't win it this year or if there's still a partial season next year, I think he (and especially Ray) comes back for another season.

I figure Shaq and JO are done by next year at the latest with or without the lockout.  (JO should be done after this year).

[jambr380]

I think it's a possibility based on a couple of factors.
1. if the C's win the title this year, I think that dramatically increases the probability.
2. if the entire season is lost, I also think that dramatically increases the probability.
I figure either one of those would put the odds at 50%.  If both, I think it's a lock to happen.  I think Ray may fall into the same boat on that.

If C's don't win it this year or if there's still a partial season next year, I think he (and especially Ray) comes back for another season.

I figure Shaq and JO are done by next year at the latest with or without the lockout.  (JO should be done after this year).

I think the key here is if the lockout is for the whole year or if it is for only part of the year. If only half of the year is lost, I don't see anyway KG, Shaq, JO, Ray, etc don't come back to give it a shot. Frankly, it would probably be our best chance for a championship next year with extended rest for all of our veterans.

[Onslaught]

I think it's a possibility based on a couple of factors.
1. if the C's win the title this year, I think that dramatically increases the probability.
2. if the entire season is lost, I also think that dramatically increases the probability.
I figure either one of those would put the odds at 50%.  If both, I think it's a lock to happen.  I think Ray may fall into the same boat on that.

If C's don't win it this year or if there's still a partial season next year, I think he (and especially Ray) comes back for another season.

I figure Shaq and JO are done by next year at the latest with or without the lockout.  (JO should be done after this year).

I think the key here is if the lockout is for the whole year or if it is for only part of the year. If only half of the year is lost, I don't see anyway KG, Shaq, JO, Ray, etc don't come back to give it a shot. Frankly, it would probably be our best chance for a championship next year with extended rest for all of our veterans.

That's what I was thinking. I'm not saying I want a lock out. But if it wasn't for the whole year and all the players came back then I'd think it help Boston really. A short season with lots of rest.

[jdub1660]

I REALLY hope not. KG is my fav player of all time, and after reading his quote at the beginning of the season about retiring if there was a lockout, I promised myself and my wife that I would pay w/e it takes to watch KG play in Boston next season. I hope we win the title and he decieds to finish out his contract, that way I could see him play.

As far as a bench role, he'd be the best back PF in the league, but I doubt he could play that role. If he's not starting and dominating, he's not playing or even in the building.
Same thing for a coaching career. As GREAT as he could be as a coach, I doubt he'd take the chance ...

But could you imagine us winning the ring this year, half the season lock out next, winning back to back, then seeing KG retire and join Doc's coaching staff? That would be ideal.2

[slamtheking]

I think it's a possibility based on a couple of factors.
1. if the C's win the title this year, I think that dramatically increases the probability.
2. if the entire season is lost, I also think that dramatically increases the probability.
I figure either one of those would put the odds at 50%.  If both, I think it's a lock to happen.  I think Ray may fall into the same boat on that.

If C's don't win it this year or if there's still a partial season next year, I think he (and especially Ray) comes back for another season.

I figure Shaq and JO are done by next year at the latest with or without the lockout.  (JO should be done after this year).

I think the key here is if the lockout is for the whole year or if it is for only part of the year. If only half of the year is lost, I don't see anyway KG, Shaq, JO, Ray, etc don't come back to give it a shot. Frankly, it would probably be our best chance for a championship next year with extended rest for all of our veterans.

that's basically what I said.  I do agree that a shortened season would give us the best chance at a title next year as well-->provided they don't increase the frequency of back-to-backs. 

[Marcus13]

Everybody here should be praying for a shortened season next year.  That's going to be our real chance at contending again.  If the entire season is canceled, I don't expect KG or Shaq back.

Ray is on the fence to me, he is older than KG but is in much better shape.  Im not sure if he would keep himself in that condition during a year off or not.

[StartOrien]

I remember reading stories about how miserable Johnny Carson was after he retired from the Tongiht Show. He had become so accustomed to his routine that he never really knew what to do with himself after it was all done and became terribly depressed until he started writing monlogue jokes for Letterman.

I kinda feel like this will be true for Ray. I see him playing until he can't crack a rotation. So, sometime around 2043.