NBA Lockout: 8 Reasons to Get Excited About the End of the Lockout

NBA fans all over the world: The lockout is finally over! 

Just when we had run out of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend, the NBA players and owners struck a deal to bring us the NBA back.

This means more LeBron, more Kobe, more buzzer-beaters and more action that we've been missing for the past month.

So in exactly one month we will be watching real basketball games again. Here are a few reasons why we should be having goosebumps all over our arms!

Kobe in a Shortened Season

Kobe gets to play in 16 less regular-season games this season, and it may be wonderful for him. He's notorious for having injuries all over his body, but now that he is well-rested he may be dangerous like never before.

Just for once we may see Kobe without that tape wrapped around his finger!

With a 66-game season, Kobe and the Lakers—who are one of the older teams in the NBA—will be more fresh when the playoffs come in the spring, and because of that they won't tire out.

And let's say Kobe does win his sixth ring. Imagine all the debates that will emerge about the legitimacy of Kobe's sixth ring because of the shortened season. Should it count the same as Jordan's sixth ring even though Kobe played in 16 less games?

Free-Agent Frenzy and Trade Possibilities

Even though this year's free agency class is not that strong, there are still some quality guys available.

For the next month, teams will be rapidly blitzing the free-agent market to try to fill up their rosters. It's going to be a condensed offseason filled with signings and trades.

Will we see Chris Paul get traded away from the New Orleans Hornets?

What about Dwight Howard? Do the Magic finally trade him to the Lakers?

Oh baby!  

Shaq and Chuck on TNT

If you thought just having Charles Barkley on TNT's halftime show was hilarious, just wait until Shaq joins the set.

O'Neal may have retired from the court, but we'll be seeing his gleeful personality every Thursday on TNT this season. For a while it seemed like we weren't going to be seeing it because of the lockout, but now that it's out of the way, get ready for some Shaq!

Now if only he can give us a freestyle Kobe rap after a big Laker loss on national television.

Dirk's Title Defense

The Mavs are in a similar position as the Lakers. They are an older team, and they will benefit from the 66-game schedule because they'll be a fresh team come May. 

That being said, many people felt their window of opportunity closed when they won last year. With the Thunder emerging as a Western power and the Lakers still a contender, most feel that the Mavs' days of basking in glory are done.

Can Dirk prove them wrong now that he has the pressure of winning a title off his back? Or are the Mavs simply just too old now?

It's going to be an interesting storyline for the defending champs throughout the season. 

Kris Humphries Playing with a Broken Heart

Divorce can be brutal. 

It can break a man for many years. Kris Humphries experienced one this past month. We were expecting to see Kim Kardashian on the Nets' sideline this season, but the marriage lasted shorter than the lockout. 

Can Humphries mend his broken heart and continue his physical play in the paint? Or will Kim's departure shatter a man who already has lost the love of his life?

Stay tuned, gossipers. 

The NBA's Bright, Young Talent

Last season we saw the NBA's brightest young star win the MVP award. We've missed you Derrick.

We can finally see how much more Derrick Rose develops in his fourth year in the league. He didn't have much success in the Eastern Conference Finals last season against Miami, but this is a new year.

Can he carry his regular-season dominance into the playoffs this time around? Even if he doesn't, he's an exciting young player who we will all enjoy watching again.

Then there's John Wall of the Washington Wizards. After dazzling NBA fans not only with his basketball skills but also his dance moves last season, Wall looks to turn the Wizards into a viable contender. It'll be nice to see this quick and flashy athlete play in some meaningful games for once.

Another player trying to make their team relevant is Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers. His high-flying act will resume at Staples Center this December, but Clipper fans are going to want to start seeing some more wins soon.

Finally, there is Kyrie Irving, who was the No. 1 overall draft pick this past June. Can he lift Cleveland's hearts after LeBron James fled to Miami? Just another great storyline for the NBA. 

World Peace

It's going to be very exciting to see Metta World Peace running up and down the floor with "World Peace" written on the back of his jersey. 

Kind of reminiscent of Pedro Cerrano in Major League 2 when the feared slugger quit being the daunting and intimidating figure he was to become more of a spiritual person. 

LeBron. Period.

He is the greatest player in the game today—at the same time, he's one of the most hated.

The most divisive figure in sports takes another stab at his first career title a few months after falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

LeBron James took his talents to South Beach last summer with hopes of winning a few rings. He led the Heat to the Finals in a season where most believed it would be an experimental season for Miami. He completely shut down Derrick Rose in the Eastern Conference Finals before falling flat in the Finals.

But this seems like the year for LeBron.

Orlando and Chicago are too one-dimensional. The Lakers, Dallas, San Antonio and Boston are aging teams. The Knicks don't play defense. Oklahoma City seems like the only real threat, but they've had their problems getting past the Lakers. 

The Heat have three superstars in their prime and should be title favorites. Don't be surprised to see them in the NBA Finals again. They're primed to succeed, and LeBron will definitely make a run for his first title.

Can LeBron James win back the nation with a ring? Will fans finally put emotions aside over an ill-advised press conference and realize he's the best player in the league today?

Will the Heat begin their dynasty?

Stay tuned, folks. We've only just begun.