With the lockout that took nearly half of the NBA season last year, fans were rewarded on Christmas Day with the long awaited start to the 2011-12 NBA season.

Due to the season's late opener, the season was shortened from 82 games to 66.

Many thought the shortened season wouldn't quench the fan's thirst for NBA action, but with games scheduled to be played almost every night, there were little complaints to be heard.

 With last year's season over and down with, now we await the new upcoming 2012-13 NBA season that will go back to its original 82 games.

Though many are pleased with the return of 82 games, Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl felt that last year's shortened regular season was an ideal arrangement.

"I'm sure Commissioner Stern won't like this, but I think the product would be better if we shortened the season," Carl said.

"When we start playing in late October, the people are thinking football. If you could just get us less fatigue [in a shorter season], I think you'd have a better product. When they started on Christmas Day, I thought, 'This is not a bad idea. This should be the start of NBA basketball ... Maybe start Dec. 1 and play 62 games, whatever number they'd come to."