Obviously, no NBA players want to spend November dealing with labor negotiations and the like when they should be on the court, competing on a nightly basis. But as Celtics guard Rajon Rondo admitted to Yahoo! Sports, it could help some of the older teams who might benefit from the extra rest: “The Celtics return their core – veterans Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett and coach Doc Rivers – but have just two other players under contract: Jermaine O’Neal and unproven guard Avery Bradley. The team has eight free agents, including forwards Jeff Green and Glen Davis. Boston also has a pair of rookies who could compete for roster spots.In past years, the Celtics players usually started working out together at the team’s practice facility a month before training camp. That wasn’t possible this season because of the lockout – though not everyone views it as a negative. ‘It might help us,’ Rondo said. ‘Fresher legs. Not as much wear and tear without [a normal] training camp.’ Once the free-agent market opens, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge could try to re-sign Green and Davis. He also has to fill other roster spots. ‘Guys have to come mentally and physically prepared whenever we start,’ Rondo said.”
(H/T: PBT)
