NBA Gears Up For An Exciting, Albeit Short Season

As the NBA owners and players agree on a new CBA, finally ending the 140-something days of the lockout,  fans can now look forward to another season of exciting basketball.  It figures to be tough season though as it is shortened to 66 games.

I don't know the details of the new CBA but, as a fan, its good to know that they have put their issues aside to come up with an agreement.

The season will tip-off on Christmas day with a line-up of 5 games.  To view the full list of games on Christmas day, click here.  Of all the games slated, what's sure to grab the limelight will be the rematch between last season's finalist, with Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Big 3 of the Miami Heat.  But this season, the match-up of the two teams will be entirely different.  Some figures that there will be major roster changes for both teams for the upcoming season which would completely change their match-ups.

Knicks Acquire Chandler From Dallas in 3-team Deal

The Dallas Mavericks hope for a repeat was dealt a huge blow when Tyson Chandler was acquired by the New York Knicks in a 3-team deal.  Tyson Chandler was a free-agent and a vital part of the Dallas defense, if not the most important defensive player on the team, that helped them capture the trophy including the trashing of the 2-time Champion Lakers.  The Mavs still have Brendan Haywood to play at center, but he is nowhere near the defensive anchor as Chandler is.  Adding to their woes, the word is out that fellow free-agent J.J Barea was close to signing a deal with Minnesota.  Let's face it, Barea may be small, but at times during last year's playoffs, he was the biggest performer for the team.  Defending the trophy with a different roster would be a tough task for Dirk and company.

Chris Paul-To-Lakers Deal Hits Snag

The blockbuster trade that would land the Lakers Chris Paul has been killed by the the NBA Commissioner David Stern after several owners complained about the deal.  The deal would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers; Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin and Goran Dragic to New Orleans; and Pau Gasol to Houston.  One could argue that the Lakers would have gotten the worse end of the stick by giving up two stars for one.  All the players mentioned in the deal was told to report for the first day of training camp.  I wonder what kind of first day that would be for the players involved.

To know more about the latest transactions in the NBA, click here.