Shortened NBA schedules causing havoc

Jason Kidd is taking a practical look at an impractical schedule. The Dallas Mavericks point guard is amused when he hears about the difficulties of the NBA's condensed schedule this season.

Due to the extended lockout, the schedule began on Christmas Day and ends on April 26. That is 66 games in 123 days. For the 76ers, it's 66 in 122 days, since they opened on Dec. 26.

Inside any NBA locker room, the same grumblings can be heard about a schedule that allows for little practice time and even less rest.

Yet the 38-year-old Kidd was around when things were even worse.

He played for the Phoenix Suns in 1999 when a labor dispute resulted in a 50-game season, and the Suns played those games in 94 days, beginning Feb. 1 and ending May 5.

Since Kidd played in all 50 of those games, he said he knows that season was even tougher than this one.

"Being 25 [years old] helped me back then," Kidd said. "Being 38 [now] is a little different."

But still . . .

"I'll take this schedule over the 50," he said.

From a continuity standpoint, the biggest obstacle this season is a lack of practice time. That's something that might be endorsed by former Sixer Allen Iverson. But Sixers coach Doug Collins and many others in the league moan about the lack of practice time.

NBA teams, if they are not playing on consecutive days or back-to-back-to-backs, often have no more than one day between games.

So the practice the day after a game is little more than some light shooting, stretching, and film work. The Sixers have even brought in a yoga instructor to keep the players limber.

"For me it's been tough simply because we have so many young guys, and I feel like I can't teach," Collins said. "That really hurts us.

"I hate just coaching the games. For me, the fun of the NBA is being on the practice floor and working with guys and watching them get better."

So a coach who enjoys the instruction and day-to-day rhythm of being on the court has had to adjust.

"We have given them more days off than I would ever dream of as a coach," Collins said.

Despite the lack of practice, the Sixers have gotten off to a 20-14 start, though they have lost five straight. Their biggest personnel moves involved the drafting of centers Nik Vucevic and Lavoy Allen, both of whom have had to play extended minutes due to the Achilles tendon injury to starter Spencer Hawes.

"Continuity is big, and when you have a team like Philly, who came in with their same game plan and team and younger guys, you knew they would have a great start to the season," Miami all-star guard Dwyane Wade said.

But . . .

"That doesn't mean teams at the top now will be there when all is said and done," Wade said.

Some teams have been hurt by the lockout more than others. The Los Angeles Lakers, for example, have a new head coach in Mike Brown and not as many young players as the Sixers. They were 20-13 heading into Thursday night's game against the Thunder, but have struggled putting together winning streaks.

"Personally, I haven't felt it," said Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, now in his 16th season. "We have felt it more as a team because we haven't had many practices. Since the season started, we've had two practices."

With so many games, it has been important that players take care of their bodies. Those who don't may be whipped into exhaustion.

"Older guys, their bodies are really aching," said Andre Iguodala, the Sixers' first-time all-star who turned 28 in January and by NBA standards is middle-aged. "You have to get to practice extra early to get treatment, and the most important thing is getting rest at night and staying off your feet and staying hydrated."

For many players, once they get accustomed to this frenetic pace, it isn't quite so bad.

"For me, even though this is tough and you have to make sure you take care of your body, it's fun because I love to play the game," said Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers all-star point guard. "The more games, the merrier."