Midseason Issues for Vets

Is the compressed season proving to be a big disadvantage for the veterans of the NBA? The best guess is, yes. Tonight is the 3rd game of a back to back to back for Miami, who seem to not let them bother them. But is it for some other teams like the Lakers (opened the season with a triple header on Dec 25-27)? Of course. Lets look at some mid season stats and teams leaders.
Top teams in the league:
1) Chicago - Derrick Rose, age 23 (Same age and birthday as me, clearly a successful day for earth)
2) Miami Heat - LeBron James, age 27 (D-Wade and Bosh average 28.5)
3) Oklahoma C - Kevin Durant, age 23
4) Phil 76ers - No player in top 40 scoring but. average age 27.5)

No big surprise? Let's assume the average peaking age of a NBA star to be 26-28, so some of these teams aren't a surprise to be leading the standings (Heat will make top 4 in east over next 6 years if roster stays).
But let's look at the last 3 champs (who happen to be old teams):
1) Mavs - Dirk, age 33 (Coming off a title, 4th seed so for. Struggling. 2OT game a few nights ago with a score of under 100, Dirk missed 2 game winning, end of period shots.)
2) Lakers x 2 - Kobe, age 33, point leader playing very selfishly (5th in west [5, 6, 7, seed all have same record]Big time struggles in LA, slowly falling apart. I project 8th seed and a first round knockout by OKC 1st seed).
3) Celtics - Paul Pierce, age 34 (Struggling, 7th in east)

The shortened season has been injury filled, back to back, back to back to back game filled and youth dominated. As the season goes on we can only expect the 30+ year old stars to fall even more off of their game and the likes of Blake Griffin, KD and D-Rose to stay fresh.

I project Boston missing the playoffs by having a spirit spoiling losing streak in the near future, making it a fighting battle back into an 8th seed. NYKs, now with Lin making a 2nd half rush for the Knicks, and finally finding some chemistry with Melo and Amar'e.
My picks for the 2nd half of season bloomers and floppers are:


2nd half bloomers are: West - Memphis Grizzlies/Portland and East - NY Knicks
2nd half floppers are: West - Lakers and East - Celtics (Unless KG has a career game soon, to light the fire)


What do you think about that?

Images from:
http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/28345356

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