NBA Season to Launch on Christmas Day with 5-Game Sked

B-ball is back, but are Fans Ready to Forgive?

image via blog.betvega.com

The National Basketball Players Association and franchise owners have resolved their differences, ending the labour dispute that has resulted in an abbreviated regular season (66 games)

The season will kick off on Christmas Day with an unprecedented "quintuple header."

Action will start with the Boston Celtics visiting Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks, followed by the Miami Heat heading to the Lone Star State for a showdown against the defending NBA Champions, Dallas Mavericks.

Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls will then square off against Kobe Bean Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.  The 8pm contest pits the Orlando Magic against the "youngry" Oklahoma City Thunder.

The final game of the day has the Los Angeles Clippers, with newly acquired point guard Chris Paul, and reigning Rookie of the Year award-winner Blake Griffin traveling to the Bay Area to battle against Monta Ellis and the Golden State Warriors.

I'm finding myself rather indifferent about the start of the season.  My attitude might change as the season progresses, and I get used to seeing basketball again.  But these sports labour disputes leave a bad taste in my mouth, especially when games are lost (at least the NFL got there shit together without losing games - not even in the preseason).

The NBA has it's work cut out for itself as it tries to regain the trust of its fans, myself included.

I'll start with the Christmas Day sked, then roll from there.

Click the jump below to check out a video preview of the opening day's games:



-Turnbull