Lockout Good for the C's?

[muddy02]

I'm not sure if this has already been discussed earlier in the extended "offseason", but i think this may end up helping this particular Celtics team for going deep into the play offs this year.  We've all seen the length of the last 3 seasons really slow them down come the last month of the season, whether it be injuries or just stamina.  Playing 66 games vs. 82 really favors the veteran teams.  They won't have to rely on coasting and then "turning the switch".  With less games on the odometer, they can just play through.

Thoughts?

[Cman]

I'm not sure if this has already been discussed earlier in the extended "offseason", but i think this may end up helping this particular Celtics team for going deep into the play offs this year.  We've all seen the length of the last 3 seasons really slow them down come the last month of the season, whether it be injuries or just stamina.  Playing 66 games vs. 82 really favors the veteran teams.  They won't have to rely on coasting and then "turning the switch".  With less games on the odometer, they can just play through.

Thoughts?

Agreed with you for the most part. Potential downside is if the schedule is compressed (i.e.: fewer days off).  Also, training camps will be shorter, so this will benefits teams like the Cs which will keep their core together.

[hpantazo]

I'm not sure if this has already been discussed earlier in the extended "offseason", but i think this may end up helping this particular Celtics team for going deep into the play offs this year.  We've all seen the length of the last 3 seasons really slow them down come the last month of the season, whether it be injuries or just stamina.  Playing 66 games vs. 82 really favors the veteran teams.  They won't have to rely on coasting and then "turning the switch".  With less games on the odometer, they can just play through.

Thoughts?

Agreed with you for the most part. Potential downside is if the schedule is compressed (i.e.: fewer days off).  Also, training camps will be shorter, so this will benefits teams like the Cs which will keep their core together.

The celtics problem is that even though the core is the same, they will have about 8 new players, and we saw how well that went last year during the playoffs. They can't take too long to learn the system either, because each game is worth more now.

[thirstyboots18]

I agree that this should benefit the Celtics IF Doc gives the younger players plenty of minutes, particularly in back to back situations, so that they are well integrated when the playoffs starts.  That should also help preserve the older legs of the veterans...who have always had a terrific first 60 games, anyway.

[muddy02]

I'm not sure if this has already been discussed earlier in the extended "offseason", but i think this may end up helping this particular Celtics team for going deep into the play offs this year.  We've all seen the length of the last 3 seasons really slow them down come the last month of the season, whether it be injuries or just stamina.  Playing 66 games vs. 82 really favors the veteran teams.  They won't have to rely on coasting and then "turning the switch".  With less games on the odometer, they can just play through.

Thoughts?

Agreed with you for the most part. Potential downside is if the schedule is compressed (i.e.: fewer days off).  Also, training camps will be shorter, so this will benefits teams like the Cs which will keep their core together.

The celtics problem is that even though the core is the same, they will have about 8 new players, and we saw how well that went last year during the playoffs. They can't take too long to learn the system either, because each game is worth more now.

That's a good point about the cohesion of the team, and we saw some of that in the NFL when teams didn't have a complete off season.  I'm not sure if i agree that the games count more, since i think we'll be in decent shape to be in the top 8 in the conference.  If these guys can't gel in 66 games, we're in trouble...

[mc34]

I think we're going to see a lot of coasting this year. Way reduced minutes for the Big 3, KG especially.

[Jon]

I also thinks it helps the C's long term, as the new CBA aims to get more parity, something that will hurt young good teams like Miami and Chicago, but something that might help us as far as rebuilding. 

[adam8]

Their schedule is already posted on celtics.com and it is very compressed which I see as a down side. I think Doc needs to be far more trusting than he has in the past because there are a lot of back to backs and almost never more than 1 day in between games. Celts need to be thinking rest for KG, Paul, and Ray even if it means they don't get home court in the first round.

Maybe even give them the occasional days off like Popovich likes to do with his aging stars.

[slamtheking]

Pro's:  familiarity; fewer games; probability of resigning FA's that are familiar with the team's D and O;  Very good starting 5.  Some vet FA's might sign on for a chance at a title and actually be useful.

Con's:  less time between games;  Age of starters (except Rondo); Starters can't bring it every night to defeat top teams in playoffs (see: Miami series); really thin at Center without any realistic FA options that are more than stopgaps. Still no real money to bring in what passes for the top FA's this year.

Overall, I think the team takes the division and gets to the 2nd round of the playoffs---same as last year.  they didn't show that they had enough gas in the tank to get it done last year against Miami.  Granted Wade and Bron hit shots they don't normally hit but overall the C's were outplayed. 
Miami and Chicago have had another year to gel and are not facing a huge disruption to their core teams.  They'll be magnets for the top FA's as well--moreso than the C's.  Same goes for NY.  I don't think the length of the season will impact how this team does overall.

[cman88]

Overall, I think the team takes the division and gets to the 2nd round of the playoffs---same as last year.  they didn't show that they had enough gas in the tank to get it done last year against Miami.  Granted Wade and Bron hit shots they don't normally hit but overall the C's were outplayed. 
Miami and Chicago have had another year to gel and are not facing a huge disruption to their core teams.  They'll be magnets for the top FA's as well--moreso than the C's.  Same goes for NY.  I don't think the length of the season will impact how this team does overall.

I still think if healthy, we can defeat Miami...we were plagued by injuries and Miami really hit their stride in the 2nd and 3rd round...Dallas isnt a much better team than us and they destroyed the heat.

of course, we need health, 2 REAL centers so BBD can go back to  his natural role and some positive contributions from Jeff Green