Lockout Update: THIS IS IT!

I understand that we're about 26 hours behind, but o'well. Last night at around 3:40 a.m. EST, the two sides of the lockout     players and owners     shook hands on a deal that was probably as fair as it could possibly get. Now we're not all the there quite yet, but eventually will be. It will take 30 days to put this thing in writing and to get the balls rolling in practice gyms as teams prepare and fill out their depleted rosters. But what else special is happening in 30 days (from yesterday)?
The answer: Christmas Day.
Yep, that's right, the 2011-2012 NBA season will open up on the funnest day for the NBA every year     excluding the NBA draft probably.
We'll start the season with a slew of heated match-ups back-to-back-to-back, or a triple-header. Whichever you prefer, dearest readers. The games played will feature: Miami at Dallas, Celtics take on the Knicks, and to top it all off, the Chicago Bulls will visit the Staples Center to go up against the  Los Angeles Lakers.
The players agreed to a 49-51% of BRI. And the owners will be able to find $3 billion in their pockets here pretty soon.
So, let's get to it hoops fans! The NBA is here!
More coming later, in the meantime, read this.
**Author Bio Blurb:
Darin Ford is our Editor-In-Chief and main contributor. You can find all of his work here on Officially Hoops by clicking on his archive link.**


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