In Which The NHL Hates Itself And Will Lose Its Momentum

If this guy can't handle the lockout, there's no hope for the rest of us (photo via toromagazine.com)

As the clock strikes 12 am on September 16th, 2012, please welcome the latest edition of the NHL lockout. You might want to hurl your verbal stones at the ever lovable Bettman and his team of owners. Or those unfortunate players that make money playing a game. It doesn't matter how you shake it, they want their money and their "fair share". And the fans? Unless we can actually get the PSEC off the ground, here's your very quick survival guide until the NHL and NHLPA get their shit together:

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:

NBA Playoffs - Eastern and Western Conference Semifinal Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies are set to square off in NBA Western Conference Semifinal action
(photo via espn.com)

Heat vs Celtics, Hawks vs Bulls in the East.

Grizzlies vs Thunder, Lakers vs Mavericks in the West.

P&B break down both Conference's Semifinal series:

NBA Playoff Preview Part 2 - Western Conference First Round

The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers are set for opening round playoff action
(photo via espn.com)

Part 2 of our NBA Playoff Preview, breaking down the Western Conference series matchups: