While the NBA lockout is not officially over there are some strong signs that the business of basketball will commence as early as tomorrow.

According to an ESPN report, NBA executives have been given the green light to open communications with player agents tomorrow morning at 9am eastern. That means free agency will begin soon enough.

What’s more is that team facilities will be open to the players beginning Thursday according to a memo issued by the league office.

In short, the NBA season is getting ready to commence sooner than expected.

Now before we get too carried away there are some stipulations to these baby steps. While trainers and strength coaches will be allowed to work with players, no coaches or general mangers will be allowed to conduct or observe drills.

Chalk all that up to the yet to be approved CBA.
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What we do know is that if the season does in fact begin on Christmas morning then the Lakers will be facing the Chicago Bulls. What we also know is that the regular season will consist of 66 games.

In that scenario a shorter season could work in favor of the veteran Lakers provided all of the guys have been preparing as if the season could start at any minute.

On the health front 66 games works like a full season for Andrew Bynum. Drew’s health is always a concern. In this instance he could play a full slate of scheduled games provided there are no more of those freak occurrences around his knees.

For Kobe Bryant the lengthy lockout has given his body a chance to recover from the years of hooping. Kobe’s trip to Germany for an experimental knee treatment mad e plenty of headlines. Soon enough we’ll get a chance to see how that knee is holding up.

Pau Gasol took the offseason as a challenge. Gasol knew he had to jump right back in the saddle after going out like a sucker in the playoffs. Gasol’s wounded heart has hopefully healed thanks to a successful summer. Pau and his brother helped the Spanish national team to its second consecutive Euro title. Pau recently returned to L.A. after spending some extended time in Spain training with his former club in Barcelona.
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