Lockout Season

Basically I want to play a lockout shortened 58 game season, but then go back to the regular 82 in the following seasons. Is there a way to do that in NBA 2k11?

nope, what you choose at the beginning is constant.....

...you could use tsearch to lock the 58 game season when you start, then change it to 82 the next year, but I dont know how to do that

Hmmm... is there a way I can save my roster from the association and start from scratch with a new association with the saved roster? Because that could be a way around it too.

I've only really played My Player on 2k11, so I don't know a lot about it.

yep, you can do that with the REDitor. Copy and paste the entire players and teams tabs into the roster you want them in, or you can transfer it into a roster automatically (one of the menu options)