NBA Lockout: Brandon Roy and NBA Stars Who Will Benefit Most from the Lockout

The NBA Lockout is now upon us.

Players are now "out of a job" until the lockout has ended. Most people believe this is a huge negative, but it could actually help a few superstars of the NBA. And even though some suffer, some have a lot to gain from having some time away from the game.

Note: During the Lockout, players are not permitted to talk to any team staff or have any communication with the team, except for players who had pre-existing injuries. These players are allowed to meet with team doctor's to assess injuries and to continue rehab and recovery.

Brandon Roy

Brandon Roy is not his old self.

He has barely any explosiveness left in him, and it has really hurt his game, which was centered around explosive drives to the rim off of isolation plays.

He has gone from a star to a role player, but this Lockout could help him greatly.

Roy is one of those exceptions to the lockout rules and can see the team doctor during this period. He can rehab his knees even more, strengthening them and preparing for the next NBA season.

Also, Roy now has all the time to reinvent his game. He will become mostly a facilitator who scores off of spot up shots (think Jason Kidd). He already has a decent shot from outside the arc, but he can become a really good shooter this offseason.

The only problem is that he cannot use the team practice facility, due to the lockout.

Jonas Valanciunas

He may not be a star, yet, but Jonas has a lot to benefit from this, too.

Well, it's really the Raptors who benefit the most from this.

Many criticized them when they took Jonas with the fifth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, as he had contract problems with his European team.

The problems were solved, and he will be able to play by the time the 2012-2013 NBA season begins.

The lockout makes this pick look less like a dumb mistake, as there will be no NBA season for Jonas to miss, or if there is, it will be a lot shorter.

Jonas also gets more time to develop, and he will be able to get a little more experience while he keeps playing in the Euroleague.

Kobe Bryant

Rest, rest, and more rest. That's what Kobe Bryant needs right about now.

Kobe Bryant has registered a lot of miles on those knees of his.

Recently, he had a special procedure done on his knees, one that hasn't been proven to work yet. If it actually doesn't work for him, this lockout gives him a lot of time away from the game, giving him all the time in the world to recover and rest his knees.

We all know that he's going to be coming back looking for another title, but he won't be able to get their on two dead knees.

He can also work on his game a little, adding a new dimension, like he does ever single offseason.

As he rests his knees, he should be able to bring back some of the basketball swagger he's shown that he has, and the NBA will once again be frightened of the Black Mamba.

Greg Oden

I'm not even going to get into the whole "That's a familiar picture" situation.

Yes, yes, it's Greg Oden in a suit, not playing.

Oden was recently offered a qualifying offer that will almost make sure that he will be a Trailblazer come next season (if there is one).

Oden also falls into the same category as teammate Brandon Roy, and he will be able to see doctors about his knees and will be able to continue rehab.

He is still only 23 and has time to become an NBA superstar.

He is coming off a microfracture surgery, which many stars say makes you feel better than you've ever felt before.

Just look at Amare Stoudemire, who had the surgery early on in his career. He is now an All-Star.

Oden could become just that.

Should the season be shortened and start in January like last time, Oden will be back to play.

Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio is finally going to make his long awaited debut in the NBA.

Too bad there's a lockout. Oh wait no, this can be a miracle for him.

Maybe now Rubio can hire someone to help him with his shot. We all know Rubio could pass and defend like few can, but his scoring can be a problem, mainly due to his lack of a consistent perimeter shot.

This offseason, he can finally come to the states to work on his shooting.

We also all know that the USA has many quality shooting instructors. Rubio can find one to help him work on the main weakness to his game.

Rubio won't come into the NBA dominating from game one, as he still needs to adjust from the European game, but he will be a perennial All-Star soon enough.

Conclusion

There are many other stars who will benefit from the lockout, but there are also many who will suffer from it.

Stay tuned for an article within the next couple days about those unlucky stars.

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