The NBA released its 2011-12 season schedule on Tuesday. Normally, that wouldn’t be cause for too much scrutiny, but the announcement is curious at best since we are not sure there is even going to be season since we are in the middle of a lockout.

Prior to the lockout on June 30, the two sides were so far apart on critical issues such as salary, revenue distribution and salary cap that many believe this upcoming season could be scrapped all together. And definitely no one sees the season starting on time, which makes the World Champion Dallas Mavericks season-opening matchup against MVP Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 1 seem like much to do about nothing at this point.

The last time there was a work stoppage in the NBA was in 1998-99 and the season didn’t begin until February and was reduced to 50 games. Should the two sides have trouble reaching an agreement this offseason it could mean all of the planning that has gone into putting together matchups such as the replay of the NBA finals when the Mavericks take on the Miami Heat on Christmas Day, could be for nothing.

Contact Terrance Harris at terrancefharris@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @Terranceharris

(Photo: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)