This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Editor's note: This is the first part of a weeklong series examining the 2011-12 NBA season.
The best NBA team in Los Angeles could be the Clippers.
Boston's annual run behind the Big Three might be nearing an end.
San Antonio, Orlando and the Lakers appear vulnerable; Oklahoma City, Chicago and Memphis should be stronger.
The changing of the guard in the NBA began last season, with young stars such as Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant racking up raves and drawing in new fans.
The recent lockout could only accelerate the transition during the 2011-12 season, as youth-driven teams with fresh legs eventually run past veteran-laden squads expected to break down over the course of a compressed 66-game campaign.
ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy said the league's last-minute push to open Christmas Day is an absurd money grab, with everyone from fans to players about to pay the price. Teams will intentionally skip essential steps during the regular season, Van Gundy said, in an effort to simply stay alive and reach the playoffs.
"There's going to be some very discouraging regular-season games for all teams because of the level of fatigue, the inequities of the schedule," Van Gundy said this week during a conference call with NBA writers. "There's going to be a lot of disappointment, so you're just going to have to keep grinding through."
Collective bargaining agreement-wise, a bitter work stoppage that started July 1 and ended Dec. 8 did little to immediately improve parity and prevent big-time stars from fleeing small-market franchises. But the wreck of a season left in its wake — highlighted by chaotic travel and abbreviated training camps — should push the NBA over the edge and into a new, fascinating era.
"I like [the condensed season] because it causes some drama," TNT NBA analyst Shaquille O'Neal said. "We are sitting back watching who is getting traded, which team is doing what. I like that they are rushing it because we all love to watch the game. And it's like the TNT slogan, 'We know drama.' "
The drama is on.
Before Chris Paul was traded Thursday to the suddenly resurgent Clippers, New Orleans had only six players under contract. Now, the mix-and-match Hornets will open their season just 11 days after NBA commissioner David Stern relented and finally greenlighted a move that sent Paul — the longtime face of professional basketball in New Orleans — to Hollywood.
The move temporarily opened a lackluster free-agent market. It also put the once-untouchable Lakers on notice. The NBA in L.A. is changing, and Kobe Bryant's Lakers are fighting several seemingly unwinnable battles at once.
"I can't believe I am saying this … there is a legitimate question now as to who is the best team in L.A.," TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley said. "The Clippers have all this young talent, and now they have a leader in Chris Paul."
Control of the Staples Center isn't the only issue up for debate.
Some analysts believe teams loaded with veterans will have a clear initial edge once the season tips off Dec. 25 with five nationally televised games. Add in a respected longtime coach — Boston's Doc Rivers, San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, Dallas' Rick Carlisle — and conference leaders after January could be old standards.
"The big advantage Boston is going to have is their core group of guys have gone through a lockout before," NBA TV analyst Greg Anthony said. "And I think Doc Rivers can do a really good job of resting his guys over the course of the regular season to prepare for the postseason."
Others believe the true contenders after the regular season ends April 26 will be up-and-coming teams composed of youth and experience. The Thunder, Bulls and Grizzlies fit the requirements, while clubs such as Indiana and Denver beefed up their rosters once the lockout ended.
"The Thunder have a legitimate chance to be [in the finals]. This could be their breakthrough year because of the shortened season," TNT NBA analyst Kenny Smith said. "Most teams are trying to figure out who their top six or seven guys are … they know who their top guys are in Oklahoma City."
Whichever team takes the title, it won't come with an asterisk like the 1998-99 championship did.
Sixty-six games in 122 days is a legitimate four-month marathon. Practice time will be at a premium; injuries will be damning. With most players arriving for camp in shape and many teams already showing a willingness to make big moves in the run for the trophy, one thing's clear: status quo is worthless in the modern NBA.
Especially after a lockout.
"It's going to be interesting to watch it play out," Van Gundy said. "Whatever we think we know [now], at the end of the year I'll be interested to see how much we really did know about it, versus how much was just unpredictable."
A look back to 2010-11
2011 champion • Dallas
Finals • Dallas def. Miami, 4-2
MVP • Derrick Rose
Rookie of the Year • Blake Griffin
Leading scorer • Kevin Durant —
Jazz at Portland
P Preseason opener: Monday, 8 p.m.
TV • ROOT —
Read our Jazz blog
O For exclusive news, interviews, video and analysis, check The Tribune's Jazz Notes blog. > sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes —
A look aheadto 2011-2012
Dec. 25 • 66-game season starts
April 26 • Regular season ends
Season length • 122 days (four months); every team plays at least one back-to-back-to-back series
Jazz opener • Dec. 27 at Lakers
Home opener • Dec. 30 vs. 76ers
Key dates • Jan. 14 (Deron Williams' return), Jan. 28 and March 30 (Jimmer Fredette)