Dwight HowardThere are tons of statistics out there, and they can be difficult to wrap your head around at times. Basketball has, at least to some degree, moved beyond the simple statistics of points, assists, and rebounds per game. Now, coaches, general managers, and even fans are taking advantage of metric statistics to get a better idea of what players’ true value is, and what is actually going on down there on the court.

By Brendan McKay

By Eric Yearian

With a whirlwind of activity taking place over the past few weeks leading up to the Christmas day NBA season kickoff, it can be easy to lose track of even the major headlines around the association. Luckily for you, we’ve got you covered with ten of the biggest questions around the league and a prediction for how each storyline will conclude.

Dwght Howard1. Where will Dwight Howard land?

The Cheat Sheet

By Brendan McKay

What a season. I mean it though. Could any hoops-head have asked more from last year's NBA campaign? No matter what part of the league tickles your fancy, the 2010-2011 season had it. Oftentimes in droves.

Do blockbuster trades get you going? Check.

Are you the type that loves to see the league's youth actualize into super stars? The MVP recipient should quench that thirst.

Do splashy off season moves get your blood pumping? Um. Yea, we had a little bit of that too.

By Eric Yearian

The Dallas Mavericks, a team known for being perennial playoff disappointments, finally broke through and won the first championship in their franchise’s history. To many fans’ delight, they won it against the hated HEAT. It had to be even sweeter for the Mavs, as they got to avenge their 2006 Finals loss. Even though it took a few years for Dallas to shake their reputation and win a championship this year’s postseason proved that in the NBA, things change very quickly

By Mike Misek

Sunday’s loss to the Mavericks ended the Lakers season was historic. Phil Jackson’s presumed final game was a thirty-six point loss that was the second-worst playoff defeat in Laker history. It was the first time since 2007 that the team failed to make the Finals, and the first time since 1999 that a Kobe Bryant team had been swept out of the playoffs. The surprising ending to the season raises a number of questions, but there are multiple variables to consider.

The CBA