Something tells me this is going to be an increasingly hot topic this season. I just hope It’s for the best. Contract isn’t bad if it can work and he’s down to be the vet so to speak. You can’t tell any NBA player they aren’t good enough to win a championship. But it’s going to take at least 2 seasons for this group to be together. Don’t overlook the chemistry change. For better or for worse. Chemistry is a big part of it. Young squad which hopefully wants to come and win. Wonder what the youngest average age team to win the NBA championship is? Any guesses?
Which is actually a completely wild statistic and a record which may actually remain unbroken. I don’t even know if we’d qualify this year if we won it (we are under now, but wouldn’t we be over by then. Or would it be start of season for the players when factoring age?). But that would be absolutely incredible. 1. 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers 24.199 2. 1955-56 Philadelphia Warriors 25.587 3. 1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers 25.710 4. 1954-55 Syracuse Nationals 25.867 5. 1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers 25.940 6. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks 26.049 7. 1974-75 Golden State Warriors 26.386 8. 2014-15 Golden State Warriors 26.393 9. 1952-53 Minneapolis Lakers 26.485 10. 1956-57 Boston Celtics 26.556
Herm Gilliam was in his eighth season in the league, Larry Steele in his sixth. Everyone else was on what would be their rookie deal by todays standards. Twardzik, Neal and Calhoun were in their fifth years. Final year of todays rookie contracts. Walton and Lucas were in their third pro seasons, Hollins and Gross their second, with Davis a rookie. This will never be done again. Back in the day rookies were 22 years old after four years of college. Now, most are 19.
