As long as I can remember, the NBA on Christmas day has been a big event. In the 1990′s Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were regulars on the air, so after stuffing my face, I could sit back and enjoy some great basketball. I recall seeing 2-3 great matchups every year. Recently, the NBA has stepped up their Christmas day presence, and are now offering 5 games for our enjoyment.

The day tips off with the Boston Celtics against the Brooklyn Nets in their new arena. ABC picks up the second game of the day, showing the New York Knicks visiting the Los Angeles Lakers. As soon as that game ends, ABC goes to the second game of their doubleheader, showing the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Miami Heat. In case you suffer from short term memory loss, that game is a rematch of last year’s NBA finals. ESPN then takes over for the evening games. They’ll show the Houston Rockets against the Chicago Bulls, and end the day with the Denver Nuggets on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers. If that’s not enough NBA action for you for one day, you’re a bigger fan than most!

One new wrinkle for the games this year: The teams will unveil the limited edition monochromatic winter NBA jerseys. For a sneak preview of what they will look like, and a chance to snag a jersey of your favorite star, click here.

Back on the hard court for a full 82 game NBA season. I guess it’s a good thing, because the NHL is dealing with their own lockout this fall. NFL football is in full swing, but Halloween marks the annual tip off of the NBA, and this season has plenty of story lines. Let’s just recap a few to start the season:

1. Ray Allen leaves the Boston Celtics for greener pastures in Miami. The first game of the season matched the defending champion Miami Heat with those Celtics. The game was pretty good, but the most memorable event in the game was the snub Kevin Garnett gave to Ray Allen when Ray was entering the game. In the end, Ray Allen played like, well Ray Allen, and knocked down some big 3 pointers to help seal the victory for the Heat.

2. Anthony Davis had a great debut for the New Orleans Hornets. He scored 21 points, had 7 rebounds, added 1 block and 1 steal. Oh yeah, he also hit all nine of his free throws! Not bad for a first game in the league. Unfortunately for him and the Hornets, he got a concussion in game 2 and is currently out.

3. The Los Angeles Lakers. After putting together a star studded lineup to challenge the best in the NBA, the Lakers started the season 0-3 and things got chippy right away between Kobe and the media. Steve Nash suffered a small break in his leg, and he’s out for at least a week. Thankfully for Jack Nicholson and the rest of the Laker faithful, they picked up their first victory of the season last night against Detroit.

4. Fear the Beard. The Oklahoma City Thunder fell just shy of beating the Miami Heat for the NBA crown last season, and started this season by trading their explosive 6th man, James Harden. Harden jumped into the starting lineup in Houston and has started the season on fire. In his first game with the Houston Rockets, Harden poured in 37 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals. He followed up that monster performance by adding 45 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in his second game. Harden finally “came down to earth” in game three by only scoring 24 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Three games into the season and he’s averaging a gaudy 35.3 points per game.

That’s quite a bit to digest for the first few days of the season. Make sure to check back in and get regular updates here at the FansEdge blog. New gear is in for the start of the season too, so you can click here to see what’s new for your team.

Let me start by saying that I’m thrilled football is back. No doubt it has the largest following of all North American sports. However, with all of the activity this summer, I am also looking forward to the return of the NBA. The NBA draft saw the New Orleans Hornets grab two big names in the top 10 picks, with Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers becoming the cornerstones of the franchise. The Boston Celtics look to remain relevant by compensating for the loss of Ray Allen to the rival Miami Heat, with the addition of Jason Terry, Jared Sullinger, and Fab Melo. We were treated to some NBA players in the summer Olympics, which helped tide me over until the start of the season.

In addition, the defending champion Miami Heat look to be improved, and they are going to need it in order to fend off serious challenges from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets (yes, the Nets). The Lakers scooped up Steve Nash to run the point, and traded for big man Dwight Howard to continue the long trend of superstar centers for the Lakers. The Nets not only moved to Brooklyn, but they also added Joe Johnson, and re-signed Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace. They are now touting their “Core 4″ to match up against any other team in the league. Finally, Linsanity has packed his things and signed with the Houston Rockets, who hope to ride Jeremy Lin’s popularity and ability to the playoffs and into contention for a NBA title.

One more month until preseason begins. New gear for 2012-2013 will be available soon, so check back and get your new NBA jerseys, tees, hats and hoodies in advance of what promises to be an exciting NBA season.

It’s that time of the year again. Time to make a new list of resolutions you will or will not keep.

“I’m going to the gym more.” “I want to spend less this year.” “I promise to read two books a month.”
Not me.

You know what I want this upcoming year? I want to win. Well…my teams to win.

Dallas Cowboys. Chicago Bulls. Chicago Cubs. Just win, baby.

Do I cheer for “popular” teams? Yes. Do I live and die with the teams of the 90s? Primarily. And yes, I’ve heard every annoying and obnoxious comment about my fanhood from my friends. No, literally, every single friend has taken their shot at some point.

Guess what? I’m 24 years old. The last time any of these teams celebrated a championship was 1998. I was 12. I wasn’t even Bar Mitzvah’d yet. Needless to say, manhood has been tough.

So here are my 2010 New Year’s Resolutions:

Dallas Cowboys – win a playoff game.

Just one. The following is true: the first suggested Google search after entering “last cow” was…you guessed it…“last cowboys playoff win.” The answer is December 28th, 1996. Tony Romo was in high school. I wasn’t.

Dallas, you’ve had a number of chances to win. Many of blessed memory. In 2003, I spent my night on a Caribbean cruise locked up in my room to watch you lose to the Carolina Panthers. There was the bobbled hold in 2006 against the Seattle Seahawks. I found myself, coincidentally enough, laying in the same position as my beloved quarterback – laying motionless on the ground, head in my hands, helpless. And there was 2007. 13-3. No. 1 seed in the NFC. A blown 4th quarter lead against the New York Giants and Patrick Crayton’s sure first down and possible touchdown drop. Accepting defeat isn’t any easier.

But this could be the year. There have been ups and downs. There was also a victory over the previously undefeated New Orleans Saints! You are oozing of confidence and swagger. And you’re probably going to have another shot at winning the division against the Philadelphia Eagles. Don’t blow it this time.

Chicago Bulls – bring respectability to the arena Michael Jordan built.

Let’s be honest, Bulls. This is embarrassing. Blowing 35-point leads? Losing to the New York Knicks? I’d rather watch the 1998 Chicago Bulls suit up and play – today. Where are Jud Buechler and Dickey Simpkins when you need them? Derrick Rose said it best when he told reporters the team plays with a “nonchalant attitude.” Who’s to blame? John Paxson? Vinny Del Negro? Derrick Rose?

I don’t really care anymore. I do know I no longer have the patience to find out. Many people believed this team would build off last season’s epic playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Instead we are seeing a redux of the Bulls’ post-Miami Heat playoff sweep season.

Sure, the Bulls may finish with 40 wins and sneak into the 8th spot. All I ask is you stop making excuses. Start playing hard. There is no way Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade or even Carlos Boozer walk through that door if this continues.

In the time I spent writing this, I am still waiting for John Salmons to pass the ball.

Chicago Cubs – do I really have to say it?

There’s a reason I saved you for last, Cubbies. You are, by far, the most disappointing team I’ve ever had to watch. Fortunately, I’m too young to understand the “lovable losers” tag. Thank God. Because it was and is unacceptable.

Everyone knows the numbers. 101 years since your last World Series victory. 55 years since your last World Series appearance. Three years, $30 million for Milton Bradley.

Everything changed in 2003. You were the best team in baseball. Clearly, that wasn’t enough. Prior to this season, you made the playoffs two consecutive years for the first time since the ‘aughts – of 1900. But in those two series, you won as many games as I did. Harsh, but true.

I believe in Lou. I believe in Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano (at least I want to). I still believe in Carlos Zambrano. Much like the Cowboys, and much unlike the Bulls, this team has the talent to make a deep playoff run. The question is whether they have the intestinal fortitude.

We know “it can happen,” but “will” it happen? Because I can’t take it anymore. I want a World Series. There, I said it.

So there you have it. My 2010 New Year’s Resolutions. That felt good to say. If only I could make a difference…

You know what? I can.

And I’ll start by running on the treadmill while reading the book I just bought at the half price store.