2013-2014 Official NBA Thread

[Al Bundy]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...4-nba-schedule

With the Schedule released today, I figured it would be a good time to start the thread.

The NBA released its 2013-2014 schedule on Tuesday in a televised special on NBATV alongside a release on NBA.com and its team websites.

The season kicks off Tuesday, October 29th as Miami hosts the Chicago Bulls in Derrick Rose's expected return to the court. Then it's the Battle of LA as the Lakers host the Clippers. It could be the return of Kobe Bryant from his Achilles injury he suffered last spring, and will be the regular season debut of Doc Rivers as the Clippers' newest head coach.

It's a massive gamble by the NBA, considering Rose's struggles returning from his ACL injury suffered in the 2012 playoffs and Bryant's more recent Achilles surgery. If those players were to miss the opening night, it's going to make for a very underwhelming opening night of basketball, regardless of the markets involved for ratings.

Opening week continues on Thursday with the Bulls hosting the Knicks in what is likely to be Rose's return to the United Center in the regular season. The Knicks will be on a back to back, opening the season on Wednesday vs. the Bucks. Thursday night the revamped Warriors visit the Clippers, who are clearly the hot team, with two national appearances in the first three days.

Opening week concludes Friday with the Nets' home opener vs. the Heat, followed by another Lakers home game, this time vs. the defending Western Conference Champion San Antonio Spurs.

On the NBA's biggest regular season day, Christmas Day, starts with the Nets hosting Chicago, followed by the scoring-champ rematch of Carmelo Anthony vs. Kevin Durant as the Thunder visit Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks. Then in the main event, the Heat play the Lakers at Staples Center. Dwight Howard joins the Christmas fun as the Rockets travel to San Antonio to face the Spurs. And in the night cap, the Clippers visit Oracle Arena to take on Steph Curry and the Warriors.

Monday, January 20th continues the NBA's tradition of making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a huge basketball event, with four games on the schedule. Brooklyn travels across the bridge to take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, followed by the Grizzlies hosting the Pelicans, the Lakers taking on the Bulls at the United Center, and the Pacers facing the Warriors in the bay to cap off the night.

The Lakers first meet Dwight Howard on November 13th in Houston, and again on January 14th. They first host Howard at Staples Center on February 19th, and again on April 8th.

The NBA Finals rematches occur on January 26th in Miami and March 6th in San Antonio. Will Gregg Popovich rest his starters? It's not a back to back, as the Spurs face Atlanta on the 24th, but it is in the middle of a three-game road trip.

Despite the departure of Dwight Howard, the Lakers keep the max number of nationally televised (non-NBA TV) games in the league at 25, tied with the Knicks and Heat. The Clippers have 21 nationally televised games, while the defending Western Champs, the Spurs, only have 15. The Bulls jump to 24 national games, with the league banking on Rose's return to carry audiences. The Thunder also feature on national TV 24 times.

Houston, with newly-signed Dwight Howard and James Harden, feature 20 games on national television, a pretty low number given the star power. The Mavericks won the NBA title in 2011, and now have just eight national TV appearances. The Warriors meanwhile jump to 17 games, while Eastern Conference finalist Indiana only appears 10 time next season. To put that in perspective, the Denver Nuggets appear 13 times.

The rest of the schedule is at the link.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by Fruit Ninja

Kobe will come back and he should play for a few games about 10-15. They should be so far down and have a top 10 spot clinched by then. They are the worst team in the West right now. lol

I don't think there's a chance Kobe plays at all this season.

They can't draft in the 6-10 range. They must be in the top 5 of this draft.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

As a BobCats/Hornets/Pelicans fan, to see what the Bobcats are doing right now specifically with Al Jefferson, is down right AWESOME.

Build the love up for the team before it erupts next season with the REVIVAL OF THE BUGS!!!!!

...


fitting from you, at least they were in the same place at some point

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Fruit Ninja

Kobe will come back and he should play for a few games about 10-15. They should be so far down and have a top 10 spot clinched by then. They are the worst team in the West right now. lol

Yep. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying watching them be so bad! I can't believe some of the dopes who thought that losing Howard wasn't a big deal and that the Lakers could still make the playoffs this season. I not only figured they would be bad, I figured they would be historically bad by franchise proportions - and they are just that! I loved watching the Rockets beat them like a drum last night with Howard having a great game in the process!

I know they're your team and but it's not often I get to kick the Lakers - So, I'm just enjoying it while I can. I've had it mostly go the other way being a Rocket's fan my whole life. There were a few Olajuwon / Sampson moments (like the shot) and a few Olajuwon / Drexler ones's, but other than that, it's been mostly bad for Houston against L.A. However, I think now Houston can stay better than them for awhile - gotta win some Championships again to make it count!

[-King-]

The*Indiana Pacers*have traded forward*Danny Granger*to thePhiladelphia 76ers*for forwards*Evan Turner*and*Lavoy Allen, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mcaj22]

I love how Hawes and Turner are now basically bench rotation players lol. Sixers might sadly be better with Granger + Mullens

[-King-]

I wonder how that feels. Going from a championship type team to a lottery team.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mcaj22]

i've read they are probably going to buyout granger so he can go wherever (aka Spurs)

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by TEX

Yep. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying watching them be so bad! I can't believe some of the dopes who thought that losing Howard wasn't a big deal and that the Lakers could still make the playoffs this season. I not only figured they would be bad, I figured they would be historically bad by franchise proportions - and they are just that! I loved watching the Rockets beat them like a drum last night with Howard having a great game in the process!

I know they're your team and but it's not often I get to kick the Lakers - So, I'm just enjoying it while I can. I've had it mostly go the other way being a Rocket's fan my whole life. There were a few Olajuwon / Sampson moments (like the shot) and a few Olajuwon / Drexler ones's, but other than that, it's been mostly bad for Houston against L.A. However, I think now Houston can stay better than them for awhile - gotta win some Championships again to make it count!

Honestly, it doesnt bother me at all. The only reason why is because this team was made to tank. Its like replacement players playing a regular season. 2 guys are guarentee'd for next year. Nash and Kobe. It doesnt even feel like its the Lakers. I get no joy in winning only a yes when they lose, because iknow its for the better. Most Lakers fans want the team to lose and dont even care how bad this team is right now. The more losses the better. The worst this team gets beat per game the better.

We all know within 2 years thisteam is going to be back right on top after everything falls back into place, lets face it. Its the Lakers its gonna happen again. It always does. Its just like as Chiefs fans, we know we are ****ed when the play offs come and we know we are going to **** it up. Its totally opposite as a Lakers fan.

There is no worry.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Well nobody is going to want to sign there until Kobe retires. Luckily for y'all his broke dick only has maybe one more year.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

i've read they are probably going to buyout granger so he can go wherever (aka Spurs)

That would be sweet.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Rudy lost the toss

Well nobody is going to want to sign there until Kobe retires. Luckily for y'all his broke dick only has maybe one more year.

Why do the Lakers get you so butthurt?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Originally Posted by -King-

Why do the Lakers get you so butthurt?
Posted via Mobile Device

Mostly how the fans and Kobe dealt with the whole Howard situation. Such entitlement even when the franchise is in the shitter

[KC_Connection]

Raptors got Nando de Colo for Austin Daye. Spurs think they can make use of Daye somehow?

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Fruit Ninja

Honestly, it doesnt bother me at all. The only reason why is because this team was made to tank. Its like replacement players playing a regular season. 2 guys are guarentee'd for next year. Nash and Kobe. It doesnt even feel like its the Lakers. I get no joy in winning only a yes when they lose, because iknow its for the better. Most Lakers fans want the team to lose and dont even care how bad this team is right now. The more losses the better. The worst this team gets beat per game the better.

We all know within 2 years thisteam is going to be back right on top after everything falls back into place, lets face it. Its the Lakers its gonna happen again. It always does. Its just like as Chiefs fans, we know we are ****ed when the play offs come and we know we are going to **** it up. Its totally opposite as a Lakers fan.

There is no worry.

on top in two years? Really? I might take some of that action.

[Pitt Gorilla]

On an unrelated note, why was jimmer fredette drafted so highly?