But, in particular, spare a thought for the veteran teams that are built to win now rather than three to five years further down the line. For both the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs, a full season lockout would snatch away a precious opportunity for another championship ring. The Celtics have Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce heading into the final years of their Hall of Fame careers while the Spurs - the number one seed in the West last year - are trying to nurse Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli through a few more seasons.
Both teams have seen younger threats emerge and, on 2010/11's evidence, overtake them. San Antonio, more than Boston, appear to have the odds stacked against them. In the East, Boston are playing catch up behind the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls - not to mention the New York Knicks who are building around the Carmelo Anthony-Amar'e Stoudemire core. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies made statements in the Playoffs. The LA Lakers and NBA champs the Dallas Mavericks loom large too but a lockout would also hinder their respective chances, given the number of veterans on both rosters. The clock would certainly be ticking for Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd had they not reached the Promised Land this year.
Unquestionably, a lockout would be a huge disappointment for the NBA, which is entering one of the most exciting phases in its history. And for teams built with immediate glory in mind, a wasted year would be an especially painful blow.
Tom Oldfield
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