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 SNR

**** you. You guys can pay far out the ass for him in a trade if you want him.

Don't think you're going to want a combo of Ryan Kelly and Robert Sacre for him.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by SNR

Speaking of TWolves trades, they finally broke down and sent Derrick Williams away to Sacramento for Luc Mbah a Moute

Kings get the better player. By far. We needed to desperately try to ship him away for a draft pick next year. Even a 2nd rounder would have been nice.

The best NBA draft in many many years and we've got ONE 2nd rounder to play with. Wolves really ****ing Eric Fishered it.

I don't get this trade and apparently it won't be official until a Moute passes a physical because he has bad knees.

[RealSNR]

If I'm the Wolves and I know Love isn't going to want to stay here, I'd try to swing a deal and send him to Chicago.

I'd get back Boozer, a guy like Jimmy Butler, and a couple Chicago draft picks (probably the one from Charlotte should be the 1st rounder). To sweeten the pot I might throw in somebody like Robbie Hummel just so the trade is a bit more balanced.

Not saying that should happen. I don't want to get rid of Love, but I also don't want to just let him walk away. If that happened, the Wolves would take a serious step backward and continue this losing tradition for another 5-7 seasons. Or more.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I don't get this trade and apparently it won't be official until a Moute passes a physical because he has bad knees.

Flip is a really shitty salesman if that's all he can get for Derrick Williams is a 3-4 defender with bad knees.

I'm not expecting a kings ransom, (pun not intended) but surely there has to be a team out there that recognizes how horrible of a fit Williams is for the Timberwolves, and that if put in a better place he could be decent.

A draft pick or something. Some more bench help at the 2 spot. Anything.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by SNR

If I'm the Wolves and I know Love isn't going to want to stay here, I'd try to swing a deal and send him to Chicago.

I'd get back Boozer, a guy like Jimmy Butler, and a couple Chicago draft picks (probably the one from Charlotte should be the 1st rounder). To sweeten the pot I might throw in somebody like Robbie Hummel just so the trade is a bit more balanced.

Not saying that should happen. I don't want to get rid of Love, but I also don't want to just let him walk away. If that happened, the Wolves would take a serious step backward and continue this losing tradition for another 5-7 seasons. Or more.

I think you'd have another year and a half before you even think about that. That's the time to get something for him.

I just don't think he's going to sign without talking to other teams. But I could be wrong.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by SNR

Flip is a really shitty salesman if that's all he can get for Derrick Williams is a 3-4 defender with bad knees.

I'm not expecting a kings ransom, (pun not intended) but surely there has to be a team out there that recognizes how horrible of a fit Williams is for the Timberwolves, and that if put in a better place he could be decent.

A draft pick or something. Some more bench help at the 2 spot. Anything.

I didn't realize the Kings just gave up 2 picks for Moute this summer. I suppose I somewhat understand getting Moute, he plays great D which is something your team lacks. I just thought like you they could get more.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I don't get this trade and apparently it won't be official until a Moute passes a physical because he has bad knees.

Didn't know Moute was banged up as well. I realize Williams is looking very much like a busty tweener but thought they would get someone to bite on offering a little more than just a defensive specialist.

[Deberg_1990]

Spurs just toyed with the young Pelicans tonight.

[MIAdragon]

And my Pacers are 13-1.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I think you'd have another year and a half before you even think about that. That's the time to get something for him.

I just don't think he's going to sign without talking to other teams. But I could be wrong.

correct me if im wrong but cant the Lakers position themselves for both Westbrook and Love? I think that only gives Kobe a year to play with them and he has to play through two seasons before thats even a consideration. But the post Kobe era those two players as FAs in a couple years is a good start

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

correct me if im wrong but cant the Lakers position themselves for both Westbrook and Love? I think that only gives Kobe a year to play with them and he has to play through two seasons before thats even a consideration. But the post Kobe era those two players as FAs in a couple years is a good start

Westbrook still has 4 years on his contract.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Westbrook still has 4 years on his contract.

Love has 2 or 3 so it's about the same yea

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Just wanted to add something about the NBA coverage of late:

The pronouncements of the end of Derrick Rose's career are becoming more and more ridiculous. He suffered an unfortunate injury, but by having the meniscus repaired rather than removed, he'll likely come back with fewer long-term ill-effects. Had he opted for a removal, like Chris Paul and D-Wade, he would have lost his explosiveness. This is a manageable injury being unnecessarily overhyped by ESPN.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Just wanted to add something about the NBA coverage of late:

The pronouncements of the end of Derrick Rose's career are becoming more and more ridiculous. He suffered an unfortunate injury, but by having the meniscus repaired rather than removed, he'll likely come back with fewer long-term ill-effects. Had he opted for a removal, like Chris Paul and D-Wade, he would have lost his explosiveness. This is a manageable injury being unnecessarily overhyped by ESPN.

I think it has more to do with people thinking/knowing he is a ****ing little bitch

[KC native]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

And my Pacers are 13-1.

So are the Spurs.