Haters of the NBA rejoiced when it was announced the players rejected the league's latest CBA offer and have begun the process of disbanding the union, possibly killing the 2011-2012 season. Let's face it: no league receives more vitriol from the average American than the NBA, and it's not completely unwarranted. When fans aren't being force-fed LeBron James 24/7, their teams are getting screwed over by terrible officiating. For people who do actually like the NBA, it can be exhausting, which is why an extended break from it could be a good thing. Here are 10 reasons everyone would benefit from a canceled season.

1. We'll be temporarily spared from the tiresome LeBron saga

   Have you heard that LeBron still hasn't won a championship? It's true, and his quest to secure his first title promises to be the big story of each coming season until he finally hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Sadly, his disappearance during last year's Finals only prolonged the agony of NBA fans and non-NBA fans who've been induced to vomit by the inundation of LeBron-related stories on ESPN and talk radio. The lockout has provided a nice respite for our tired minds and nauseous stomachs, which may have exploded with an additional nine months of the media on LeBron's jock.

2. We'll have a break from incessant Heat coverage

   Just a few months after airing "The Decision," ESPN launched "The Heat Index," a site devoted to tracking "the culture, scene, and lifestyle angles tied to South Beach" relating to the Heat, the team's quest for 72 wins, the historical ranking of the Big 3, and whether or not LeBron would average a triple-double during the regular season. Of course, despite all of the buildup, the Heat failed to win 72 games, LeBron failed to average a triple-double, and the Heat failed to win the championship.

3. Terrible officiating won't ruin your team's season

   No sport is more affected by officiating than basketball. Mavericks and Kings fans probably wish a lockout would've sabotaged the 2002 and 2006 seasons so they would never have experienced the anguish of having a championship snatched from their grasp by the zebras. The biggest complaint made by NBA observers is the general inconsistency of the calls, a problem that's typically reflected by an enormous disparity in free throws. And if coaches or players complain, they're given stiff fines. It would be nice, amid the haggling between the players and owners, if the league would become more concerned about resolving this rather large issue — one that affects the integrity of the game — instead of merely worrying about the bad PR it causes.

4. It'll be two consecutive years without a Celtics or Lakers championship

   One of the major issues being discussed during the lockout is the great discrepancy between the haves and have-nots, the latter of whom want major changes in the system, especially after the departures of LeBron James from Cleveland and Carmelo Anthony from Denver. Fans of small-market teams, save for Portland, have become accustomed to losing big-time free agents to big-market teams. These big teams have in turn dominated the league since its inception — the Celtics and Lakers have won 33 of the league's 65 championships. So, at the very least, Celtics and Lakers haters can take solace in the fact that neither of those teams will get richer in 2011-2012.

5. Clippers fans will have a year added to their lives

   Last season was just like any other season in Clippers' franchise history — way more losses than wins and no playoff appearance, with a high draft pick to show for it. Now, blessed with two of the most talented young players in the league, Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, they're again setting up their fans for a major letdown. The chances are slim that owner Donald Sterling will actually spend money on complementary players and a coaching staff capable of molding the team into a cohesive unit. After all, this is the same guy who tried to reduce video expenses by telling head coach Paul Silas to do the filming himself.

6. Isiah Thomas won't have an opportunity to screw up the Knicks — again

   For some inexplicable reason, James Dolan loves him some Isiah. Like an abused lover, Dolan keeps coming back for more despite the immense pain Thomas has inflicted on the franchise. Last season, the Knicks made the playoffs for the first time since 2004 after acquiring Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. With more cap room to come, momentum was clearly on their side heading into the future. Then, Knicks fans were sobered when it was revealed that Isiah's influence was growing within the organization. The abrupt departure of general manager Donnie Walsh in June fueled speculation of his return. Fortunately for Knicks fans, though, the lockout will delay the inevitable disaster that awaits if he's given the reins again.

7. Anticipation for free agency won't overshadow the season

   Free agency is the only thing you'll be anticipating. How many NBA fans were breaking down possible scenarios for the 2010 NBA offseason — in 2008? Do you see anything wrong with that? Should Dwight Howard's and Chris Paul's possible destinations next summer be discussed instead of the performances and postseason prospects of their current teams? It seems that the media and, in turn, many NBA fans have gotten too caught up in wondering "what if," as opposed to paying attention to what's happening in the present.

8. We won't be force-fed Pitbull and Lil Wayne

   There's no doubt that the NBA caters to a young, hip audience. But the teams tend to forget that most people attend games simply to watch basketball. That's the entertainment. Piping in "Let's have a really good time. Let's have a really good time. Let's have a really good time" won't make the fans have a better time, but it might make their ears bleed. The crowd is either exuberant or it's not, and not much can change it aside from what's occurring on the hardwood.

9. You'll have time to rest for the next October-to-June marathon

   Even the most spirited NBA fans admit that the season and playoffs are too long. Last year, the Mavericks played 103 games, including the postseason. It was astounding that 32-year-old Dirk Nowitzki, given his size and style of play, was able to perform so well during his team's improbable run to the championship. Most players don't — or merely aren't able to — do that, hence the complaints from critics of the league about the difference in quality of play between the regular season and postseason. Plus, more than half of the teams make the playoffs, diminishing the importance of the 82 games. So, why should anyone care in the fall when there are other distractions such as the NFL and college football?

10. For once, college basketball will be king

    Basketball-starved NBA fans can turn their full attention to college basketball, the new best show in town. During the last lockout in 1998-1999, ESPN's college basketball coverage enjoyed a 22% increase in ratings. Early in the season, casual fans were able to become acquainted with players such as Khalid El-Amin, Trajan Langdon, and Scoonie Penn, and in March, those fans were rewarded with an unforgettable tournament headlined by those players. This season, players such as Jared Sullinger and Tyler Zeller will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills to a bigger audience, and they know it.