The lockout is finally ending, and the 2011-2012 NBA season will be here before we know it. The typical 82-game schedule has been shortened to 66 games total, and will run from Christmas day to mid-April. Fans who have been waiting for their favorite players to get back on the court now have less than a month to go before the opening tip-off.
The main difference between the lockout-shortened season will be in the non-conference games. Teams will only play against non-conference opponents once or twice, which means the two teams that make it to the NBA Finals in 2012 may only meet up once during the preceding regular season, making predicting the winner all the more difficult.
Fans and journalists will be eagerly awaiting this year’s storylines, as well. Last year, it was all about LeBron, D-Wade, and the Miami Heat. The Chicago Bulls also have some unfinished business from last year’s conference championships, and the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to rebound from their going-through-the-motions season in 2010-2011.