Lockout Lifted: NBA on Christmas Day

Basketball fans are in for a treat this Christmas.

Now that the lengthy lockout has come to an end, the NBA season will start on Christmas day with an intriguing triple-header. The day will start out with the big three of the Boston Celtics going up against Melo and the New York Knicks. Game number two will be an NBA Finals rematch between the Dallas Mavericks going up against the hungry Miami Heat. Christmas night will be capped off with a matchup between two of the most electrifying players in the game, Derrick Rose and the Bulls versus Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

With the lockout being lifted, the players will be able to attend training camps, free agents will be able to negotiate with teams and the rookies will be able to sign with the teams they were drafted by. Just like the NFL off-season there will be a free agent frenzy because teams do not have long to sign players and familiarize them with their team's system. Jamal Crawford, last year's Sixth Man Award winner will be the most sought out free agent; he is a prolific scorer with game-changing ability. He has been recognized throughout the league but to people who watch the NBA from their couch he might not be a star. Joe Johnson overshadowed him in Atlanta. The top rookie to watch will be Bismack Biyombo who is coming out of the Congo to play for the Bobcats. Biyombo is raw, young, is a freak athlete and has natural instinct. Although he may struggle at times going up against the likes of Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard, he will learn a lot from Michael Jordan (Owner of the Bobcats). Biyombo is a pure shot-blocker and he can run the floor with his fellow first round teammate Kemba Walker. The Bobcats are going to be a team on the rise and they will give people problems, look for Bismack Biyombo to make a run for Rookie of the Year along with Jimmer Freddette of the Kings,  Marshon Brooks of the Nets and Jan Vesely of the Wizards.

Looking back at the excitement that occurred last season, we can only imagine what a shortened and faster paced season will bring to the league.  This is a chance for those younger but surging teams to make a run within their conference.  The Oklahoma City Thunder is a team that continues to make playoff progress every season.   Lead by the NBA's top scorer the past two seasons, Kevin Durant, and the phenomenally agile point guard, Russell Westbrook, there is no doubt this team has what it takes to claim the title of Western Conference Champions. 

We all know the talent of teams like the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls in Eastern Conference.  But a popular team, still put under the radar is the New York Knicks.  Despite being weak at the center position, the Knicks hold talent in just about every other spot.  Carmelo Anthony, one of the league's best all-around players, adjusted well into Mike D'Antoni's "run ‘n gun" offense, and after joining the team halfway into the season, lead the Knicks to their first playoff berth in seven seasons.  You can expect New York to put up triple digits in many games this season.

With the first games starting up in just less than a month, players, fans and even owners are trying to prepare themselves for this oddly designed seasoned.  For some players, the lockout could have a serious effect, but other players are just looking to get on the court and play the game that they love.  One thing is for sure, Christmas Day is going to be that much better.