The 2011-12 NBA Season in Motion

A weight off of every NBA fan's shoulders.
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From the fear of a missed season due to the lockout, culminating with a vicious elbow from Metta World Peace to James Harden, the 2011-12 NBA season has seen it's fair share of stories in a shortened schedule. Here are some of the most highlighted moments so far of the regular season, good and bad. And of course, we couldn't forget some Blake Griffin dunks.

The Blockbuster Deal (Take Two)

Same Arena, different jersey.
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On the eve of the end of the NBA lockout, the Lakers, Rockets, and New Orleans Hornets agreed in principle to a deal that would send star guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers, along with other player movements. In a shocking development, aided by a letter from Dan Gilbert, the NBA rejected the trade. 

Chris Paul would later work out a deal with Los Angeles, this time for the neighboring Clippers.

Lakers Send Lamar Odom to Dallas

Just like practice.
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After losing out in the Chris Paul sweepstakes, the Los Angeles Lakers countered by sending their 6th man Lamar Odom to the defending champion Dallas Mavericks in exchange for a bag of chips (I think..?).

Odom would make the Lakers look like the winner of this deal by averaging a career worst 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 rebounds per contest in only 50 games.

At one point Odom was flirting with a demotion to the Mavericks' D-League affiliate Texas Legends.

Odom would leave the team on April 9th in a mutual agreement. 

The Emergence of Jeremy Lin

The game all the madness began.
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It was a cold February night when Knicks fans filed into Madison Square Garden to witness a typical cross-river showdown against the Nets. Little did they know a legend was born in Jeremy Lin. The Harvard-grad shocked the world with a 25 point game which then would turn into a routine, climaxing with a 38 point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers on national television. 

¡Hombre Down!

Little did we know it would be the other way around.
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After being drafted by the Timberwolves in what seemingly feels like 10 years ago, Ricky Rubio finally came onto the NBA scene in Pistol Pete-esque fashion. His numbers were solid for the 41 games he played in with 10.6 and 8.2 assists per game. 

Unfortunately, Rubio collided knees with Kobe Bryant March 9th in Minnesota, ending hope that the Timberwolves would make a playoff run.

The Posterization of Pau Gasol, Twice

The second of the two vicious throwdowns over Pau Gasol and the entire country of Spain

It's funny because every poster dunk Blake Griffin throws down is automatically the best dunk of the season. I'm not going to argue with this one because not only did it take ridiculous athleticism, but Griffin did this twice in the same night on the same player!

The "Dwightmare"

Frustrated or Happy? Dwight's facial expression here just about sums this situation up.
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I lost count of how many times Dwight Howard said he wanted to be shipped or wanted to stay in Orlando. What started out with a list of teams he desired to play for, ended with the all-star center finally deciding to stay in Orlando for at least another year. 

As NBA fans thought the worst of the storm had passed, coach Stan Van Gundy quietly alerted the media that Howard had asked for his termination. 

Since then, Dwight has been out with a back injury with no plans to return for the playoffs.

Metta World Peace Warps Back into Ron Artest

QUEENSBRIDGE STAND UP!

That was quick. Queens native vs. Hipster. I've analyzed this play thoroughly and concluded that Artest was pumping with his right fist the entire time until James Harden was behind him.  It was then when he decided to take him out with his elbow.

Woops?!