How A 66- Game NBA Season Will Look

Details are starting to leak about what the 66-game NBA schedule will look like. The way this schedule breaks out will ultimately have a lot to do with what two teams will be the last standing in June. Players will definitely have to play their way into shape. For a team like my Lakers, who are an older team that will also be learning a whole new system to say the shortened season will be challenging is an understatement.

• The shortened season will start Dec. 25-April 26. Teams will average 3.9 games per week, up from usual 3.5 per week. About two extra games per month.

I don’t think two extra games a month will be that big of a deal. The teams where it will be a challenge for are the ones who lack depth and of course the older teams. In those scenarios, you have to hope your “core” has young legs that’ll stay fresh longer. 

But, how long is it going to take guys to play themselves into shape. Lots of X-factors

• Teams will play 48 games in-conference (four fewer than usual) and 18 games out-of-conference. Every team won’t visit all cities.

Boooo, one of the great things about the NBA is that you have the opportunity to see all 29 other teams play your home team. That’s part of the anatomy of a champion in my opinion but I guess as long as every team plays each other, it’s fair.

• Every team will play at least one back-to-back-to-back set (i.e. three straight nights), and up to three back-to-back-to-back sets during season.

This will be HUGE for older teams, Hello Celtics… what up Lake show. But ultimately For the Lakers, that could break down to playing the Clippers, Warriors and Kings in 3 days. Not really a lot of traveling in theory. 

• Also, every second-round playoff series will have at least one back-to-back set, to shorten the playoff time frame.

I’m actually all the way into this. I think the playoffs drag on too long- yes I know TV plays a strong role in that- but I don’t mind if it goes a little faster. Even though in theory that makes the season end sooner.

• For those of you concerned, All-Star weekend will still take place in Orlando in February.

THE LEAGUE’S FORMAL BREAKDOWN:

Regular Season Start Date: December 25, 2011

Regular Season End Date: April 26, 2012

Playoffs Start Date: April 28, 2012

Last Possible Finals Date: June 26, 2012

Conference Games: 48

• Play 6 teams 4 times (2 home, 2 away)

• Play 4 teams 3 times (2 home, 1 away)

• Play 4 teams 3 times (1 home, 2 away)

Non-Conference Games: 18

• Play 3 teams 2 times (1 home, 1 away)

• Play 6 teams 1 time at home

• Play 6 teams 1 time away

Back to Back to Backs: All teams with at least 1; no more than 3

Playoff Back to Backs: Possible in second round

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