NBA Lockout: 5 Teams the Lockout Hurts the Most
There isn't an NBA fan out there that isn't upset at the prospect of losing the season.
If the NBA sacrifices an entire season due to financial issues, it would be a pretty irresponsible move by both parties.
While some teams might stand to gain from the lockout, there are a few teams that will lose more than just a few dollars.
Whether it is a team on the rise, a team looking to stay on top, or a team seeking redemption, there are five clubs that should be itching to get the new season started.
Will we get basketball in 2011? Who knows.
Here are the five teams that the NBA lockout hurts the most.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
1 of 5When you lose as many games as the Wolves have the last few seasons, you’ll be anxious to turn things around if given the opportunity.
I’ve said it time and again that the Wolves could be a playoff dark horse this season with Rick Adelman at the helm. It really seems like the Wolves' fortunes are finally turning around, but a lost season would be very upsetting.
Not only would it discourage Ricky Rubio from ever coming to the NBA from Spain, but the team will lose a season in which they might be able to convince Kevin Love they’re capable of being a winning organization.
4. Miami Heat
2 of 5When you lose on the world’s biggest stage, all you want to do is get back out there so that you can forget about it.
What is probably LeBron’s most agonizing summer has been extended well beyond what he would have liked.
The longer the team gets to stew in its failure, the worse it could be for a player like LeBron, who is not wired the same way as a Wade, Jordan, Bryant or Magic.
I think what LeBron needs more than anything is to be back in a gym winning basketball games. If the media gets to spend another year cracking jokes at his expense, things might only get worse for the Heat come playoff time.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
3 of 5The Clippers are far and away the most unsuccessful franchise in the history of the NBA.
And yet, in many ways they are one of the most enticing teams in the NBA. The more Blake Griffin improves, the more national exposure the team will get. This team isn’t all that far away from competing for the playoffs on a yearly basis.
Losing the season won't be devastating, but for a fan base that has been waiting 40 years for a player like Griffin, not being able to watch their star will be really frustrating.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
4 of 5Kobe Bryant isn’t getting any younger.
The Lakers also have to incorporate a new coach and need time to adjust to life without the Zen Master. If they lose a season and then still need a full season under Mike Brown to adjust appropriately, it’ll be a lot to ask of Bryant.
Hopefully Bryant stays healthy, but if the team loses the entire season, it’ll be heartbreaking for Lakers fans everywhere.
1. Dallas Mavericks
5 of 5No other team will lose quite as much as Dallas if the Mavericks aren’t even allowed to defend their title.
A lot of people will call their championship season a fluke if they don’t play this year.
I’m not sure if the Mavs have what it takes to repeat, but every champion deserves the chance to defend their crown.
With many of the Mavericks’ core players nearing the end of their primes (Kidd, Nowitzki, Butler, Stevenson, Stojakovic, and Terry are all at least 30), time is of the essence and an entire year lost may be damaging to the team’s chances.
If the two sides don’t come to an agreement this season, the Mavericks will lose an opportunity they may never get back.
