The NBA’s return signifies the end of one of the more ugly work stoppages in recent memory and one that appeared to derail the entire season just one week ago. While everything remains “tentative” at the moment, the 2011-2012 season is being rushed to be pieced together in a matter of weeks. This means things will be slightly different this year in comparison to seasons past. Feel free to jot these notes down or bookmark this page.
1. The season now will now run through April 26. And to make matters even more physically taxing, each club will have at least one series of back-to-back-to-back games. This probably doesn’t mean much for young teams like Oklahoma City and Sacramento, but it’ll be interesting to see how a team like Boston’s schedule pans out. A shortened season won’t mean much if they’re playing in such a frequent fashion. Hell, there’s a possibility back-to-backs could be played during the postseason.
2. Game 7 of the NBA Finals (if needed) falls on June 26, which means there could possibly be a very short turnaround time for the 2012 NBA Draft.
3. No team will play on three straight nights more than three times.
4. Expect 48 conference games and 18 non-conference games. Teams will not visit every NBA city, meaning some smaller market squads who benefit from their more nationally known counterparts’ visits will miss out out on that payday this season (for ex. the Warriors hosting the Celtics/Heat/Bulls).
5. Training camps and free agency tip off December 9 and the regular season on Christmas Day with a blockbuster triple header of Bulls/Lakers, Heat/Mavericks and Knicks/Celtics.
The agreement also means the four city tour LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul organized has now been cancelled. Now, what sucks is the proceeds from said tour were all going to be donated to charity; a stand up act (and only real option during the lockout) from all four superstars, indeed. That said, you want to talk about charity and money going to a good cause? Think about all the people who can finally go back to work and make sure their lights won’t be cut off this month. Shout out to those people.
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but it’ll be interesting to see how a team like Boston’s schedule pans out.
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at the top of the sentence, I knew you were going to go there. S’aight tho. We have PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES. We can handle 3 games in a row… Paul Pierce and Ray Allen both played the whole season without missing a game. You need to be worried about My-neck-and-my-back Wade ah,…let me stop. It’s not even time for that yet. My bad, 10s…you were saying…
I’m just excited to see what happens in free agency this year. We have a weird season ahead of us…
Miami is gonna finish with the best percentage in NBA history.
“You need to be worried about My-neck-and-my-back Wade ah,…let me stop.”
Laughs on laughs on laughs!
Does this season warrant an asterisk?
Man look. Y’all have to stop taking everything as a slight to anything non-LeBron related. I was fan of the game long before dude and will be long after lmao sheesh. And hold on Cell, I’m only saying what you said was a concern of yours a few weeks back!
I’m curious–Lets say by some twist of fate the Heat win the chip this season, will there be a * by the W? Also, I’m prepared for another season of the Wizards. I’ll stand by my team.
So glad that all this is over. Now… let’s see who comes back Shawn Kemp status. lol
@ El Ro
Probably.
Cell, I’m only saying what you said was a concern of yours a few weeks back!
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Yeah but that was back when I thought there wasn’t gonna be any basketball…. I was liable to say anything back then…
Cell – Respect. Completely understandable, sir. Carry on lol.
lmao
Yo, let’s talk about these small market teams for a minute. Doesn’t it seem like with the current season set up, they wound up catching a bad case of karma?
OKC, what up. I still stand by my Clips… But I believe this year will be conducive to the “young vets” finally getting theirs.
i see what you did with that pic there….. lets go knicks
We’re gonna be raising the banner in front of the Heat…that’s just too great on so many levels.
LeBron gon cry on the bench *Smokey voice*
It’s hard for me to get excited for basketball with, you know, Football still going on! lol! Seriously though, Smarter, we must have been separated at birth because you read my mind. These small market teams seem to be at the disadvantage, especially in regard to taxes and revenue. I’m just hoping that the Celtics can make one last run for the O’Brien trophy, or at least a young squad. (Hint hint: OKC)
definitely an asterisk season. Any team with a new coach = screwed. Any team with older veterans = screwed. Two week training camp and free agency = entire league screwed. Expect small injuries to become season changers and some of the worst basketball in years.
“Cell, the Block, the Kid
I’m just excited to see what happens in free agency this year. We have a weird season ahead of us…”
This.
@ Forest iLL: Word. Bucks vs Warriors in the Finals! LOL! This makeshift season is going to be one serious calamity.
66 games? Is it possible that we could get the first undefeated season? 06 Mavs = 67 W’s, 07 Celtics and 08 Cavaliers = 66 W’s. The chances are likely. A little ironic that this was the year following the talks of a shortened season(due to fatigue). Maybe this should be permanent??,,,,maybe.
So does Tim Duncan have four rings or just three “real” titles and one with an asterisk?
The 99 season isn’t an asterisk, and this one won’t be either. It’s just the way it goes. No one team has an advantage. They all have to suck it up and go through it. Whatever happens, happens. But with that said, all of the soft tissue injuries (ex: hamstrings), could potentially be season enders, depending on the time it happens.
That last bit is the best point of all. You didn’t see those folks on TV day in and day out.