"At least now they have something to cancel.

The NBA announced its 2011-12 season schedule amid the usual fanfare Tuesday, with an hour-long broadcast on the league's TV station and hoopla across its websites, even though there's no guarantee things will begin when they're supposed to — with the Chicago Bulls at the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 1.

The league-imposed lockout is nearing the three-week mark, with talks scheduled to resume Friday."