NBA Christmas 2011: "The 12 Days of Christmas" NBA Version

For the first time in NBA history, the league will play its first games of the season on Christmas Day.

Following the lockout that threatened the entire 2011-2012 season, it is good that they are starting when they are and that they will have a 66 game season.

In honor of the time of year, and the unique start date, here is this year's NBA version of a classic Christmas Carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

Feel free to sing along.

A Lakers-Clippers Rivalry

On the first day of Christmas the NBA gave to me:

A Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

Now that Chris Paul is playing alongside Blake Griffin for the Clippers, the NBA battle for Los Angeles just got a whole lot more interesting.

2 Former Mavs

On the second day of Christmas the NBA gave to me:

Two former Mavs

And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

The Dallas Mavericks lost both Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea who were important pieces to their Championship team. Both will play with new teams this season.

3 All-Stars

On the third day of Christmas, the NBA gave to me:

Three All-Stars

Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

The Miami Heat still have James, Wade and Bosh. They hope this All-Star trio will lead them to a title.

4 Bad Moves by Stern

On the fourth day of Christmas, the NBA gave to me:

Four bad moves by Stern

Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

David Stern has made at least four bad decisions during the lockout and already this season. None is worse than vetoing the trade for Chris Paul to the Lakers and having him land with the Clippers.

A 5 Month Long Season

On the fifth day of Christmas, the NBA gave to me:

A five month long season

Four bad moves by Stern
Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

If you count the few days in December as a month, this will work. NBA fans everywhere are grateful to have a 66 game season. It could have been shorter or have not been a season at all.

6 New Head Coaches

On the sixth day of Christmas, the NBA gave to me:

Six new head coaches

A five month long season
Four bad moves by Stern
Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

Six NBA teams debut new head coaches this season. Mark Jackson, Mike Brown and Kevin McHale are among those who take over this season.

7 Mascots Playing

On the seventh day of Christmas, the NBA gave to me:

Seven mascots playing

Six new head coaches
A five month long season
Four bad moves by Stern
Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

There will be more than seven, but it will be good to see what new stunts they can come up with this season.

8 Real Contenders

On the eighth day of Christmas the NBA gave to me:

Eight real contenders

Seven mascots playing
Six new head coaches
A five month long season
Four bad moves by Stern
Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

Sixteen teams will qualify for the playoffs at the end of the regular season, but there will be only eight teams that really have a shot at the championship. In a shortened season, anything is possible.

9 Ladies Dancing

On the ninth day of Christmas the NBA gave to me:

Nine ladies dancing

Eight real contenders
Seven mascots playing
Six new head coaches
A five month long season
Four bad moves by Stern
Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

Nothing wrong with the ladies dancing. Hopefully it is more than just nine.

10 Guards-a-Shooting

On the 10th day of Christmas the NBA gave to me:

Ten guards-a-shooting

Nine ladies dancing
Eight real contenders
Seven mascots playing
Six new head coaches
A five month long season
Four bad moves by Stern
Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

Guards, forwards or centers, it doesn't matter who is shooting. We are all just glad that they are.

11 Scorers Scoring

On the 11th day of Christmas the NBA gave to me:

Eleven scorers scoring

Ten guards-a-shooting
Nine ladies dancing
Eight real contenders
Seven mascots playing
Six new head coaches
A five month long season
Four bad moves by Stern
Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

Durant, Kobe, James or Carmelo. Can't wait to see these top scorers light it up and take over games.

12 Dunkers Dunking

On the 12th day of Christmas, the NBA gave to me:

Twelve dunkers dunking

Eleven scorers scoring
Ten guards-a-shooting
Nine ladies dancing
Eight real contenders
Seven mascots playing
Six new head coaches
A five month long season
Four bad moves by Stern
Three All-Stars
Two former Mavs
And a Lakers-Clippers rivalry.

The slam dunk is the most exciting part of the game. There should be no shortage of highlight dunks this season both in games and in the dunk contest.

Happy Holidays everyone. It is going to be an exciting NBA season.

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