The squeak of Jordan shoes on the court, the swish of the hoop as the ball hits nothing but net, the sweat pouring off bodies as players fight it out for the pride of being named superior, the NBA is back and ready to start ladies and gentlemen. The lockout is a signed dotted line away from being a finished nightmare and once again the fans will hear the crowd erupt and see the most athletic people in the world fight for a ring.
The season looks to begin 25th of December 2011, Christmas Day, and there are plenty of fantastic games to start us off. How does the rematch of the final series, Dallas Mavericks vs Miami Heat sound to you? Or the Chicago Bulls trying to prove that Kobe and his Lakers are past their use by dates? Or even the ominous New York Knicks taking on the golden oldies, the Boston Celtics? With so many great games on offer (five just on Christmas day alone) why would you even question dumping the problematic holiday family meet for the long awaited Basketball season?
This season will run only 66 games in the regular season as it has to be shortened due to the late start caused by the long drawn out process that shall not be named again. The final series should remain as normal and pre season activities will take place over a two week time frame starting any day now. This is a great result for which we should all be grateful for, as up until the last talks it looked like we weren't going to have a season at all. Imagining a whole year without seeing the court wizardry of the one and only 2010/11 NBA season Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose, the sheer magnificence of one Lebron James(except for the fourth quarter of course) or the mind boggling attacking prowess of current Finals MVP and newest NBA ring holder, Dirk Nowitzki.
Will Lebron finally win a ring and shake off the cobwebs of last year and the general publics jeers? Will Rose cement his MVP status last year and pull through the finals? Will Chris Paul move to the Knicks? How will Irving fare with expectations of carrying the disappointing Cavaliers? Only time will tell in this league where anything can happen. If you are a long time fan, infrequent viewer and first time starter, there is something for all watchers. Some of the most fiercest rivalries are ready to explode and there are sure to be fireworks when trade rumours and abilities come in to focus.
With so many questions left to be answered, you would be crazy to miss this season. So fellow Australians tune in to your Foxtel to follow your favourite team, Americans go down to your local basketballing arena, and Europeans say goodbye to your on loan NBA stars. Watch one of the greatest, and most watched sports in the world and see some of the most elite, athletic, and don't forget richest men in the world face each other to win the most prestigious object in the world you can fit on your finger.
