Basketball fans rejoice, the NBA Lockout is over

By Mike Patterson

The players and owners reached a tentative agreement November 26th to end the 149-day NBA lockout.

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“We thought it was in both of our interest to try to reach a resolution and save the game,” union executive director Billy Hunter said.

The sides met for more than 15 hours Friday, working to save the season. Commissioner David Stern said the agreement was “subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations, but we’re optimistic that will all come to pass and that the NBA season will begin Dec. 25.”

The preseason and games through December 15 had been officially cancelled, but now after the two sides reached this tentative agreement, Stern says the NBA hopes to get a 66-game schedule beginning December 25. The players are extremely excited to begin playing again and are expressing their joy through social networking sites as the lockout is trending on Twitter and Facebook.

Christmas day has been said to be hosting three games this year: the Boston Celtics versus the New York Knicks, an finals rematch with Miami versus Dallas, and MVP Derrick Rose and the Bulls face off against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

It is also now rumored that Christmas may be hosting two more games, totaling five games to kick off the 2011-2012 season. Training camps and the free agency period are planned to begin on December 9th, whilst players are now open to workout at team stadiums. Key free agents include: Jeff Green of the Celtics, Tyson Chandler of the Mavs, Samuel Dalembert from the Sacramento Kings, and many more.

Since the lockout began on July 1, teams are finally allowed back in as the arenas are unlocked. The league sent out a memo giving the organizations permission to talk to players’ agents as of November 30, although no offers made or contracts signed until the opening of training camps.

Now that franchises are allowed to speak with agents, rumors have been circulating throughout the NBA.

It is claimed that Chris Paul does not want a contract extension with the Hornets; however, he is hoping to join the New York Knicks, new powerhouse team after trading for Carmelo Anthony before last year’s trade deadline.

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic is also hoping to be traded this season. These two players may be talking to find a way to play together this season.

If all goes well, the season will begin on December 25 once they finish the negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement.