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.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KevB

These are the games that have me question whether Harden is a top 10 player. He has no impact on the defensive end, and there are times when he defers and disappears. He's come through down the stretch of many games, but truly premier players don't just basically take themselves out of games late like he did tonight.

I don't think he has that bulldog mentallity you need to be the guy on a championship team.. Maybe he gets it at some point. He's only been the guy for a year and a half. Howard will never have it. So overrated.

[-King-]

@ Inside the NBA.

[-King-]

Inside the NBA is the best show on tv

[GoChargers]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I don't think he has that bulldog mentallity you need to be the guy on a championship team.. Maybe he gets it at some point. He's only been the guy for a year and a half. Howard will never have it. So overrated.

Harden will never have "it" until he learns some defense and actually gives effort on the defensive end, and also until he expands his offensive game beyond chucking and drawing cheap free throws while driving. I'm not sure he has the work ethic or desire to make those necessary improvements and truly be the guy.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by GoChargers

Harden will never have "it" until he learns some defense and actually gives effort on the defensive end, and also until he expands his offensive game beyond chucking and drawing cheap free throws while driving. I'm not sure he has the work ethic or desire to make those necessary improvements and truly be the guy.

That's essentially what I mean by bulldog mentallity. He doesn't have the desire or effort to carry a team on his back in playoff situations. Again, maybe he has a wake up call at some point and the light goes off. I can tell you his side kick who has been in the league 10 years doesn't have it 100%. The guy has no alpha dog in him what so ever.

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by okcchief

That's essentially what I mean by bulldog mentallity. He doesn't have the desire or effort to carry a team on his back in playoff situations. Again, maybe he has a wake up call at some point and the light goes off. I can tell you his side kick who has been in the league 10 years doesn't have it 100%. The guy has no alpha dog in him what so ever.

Dwight doesnt care one way or another about wins and losses. He just wants to get paid. After 10 years, his offense barely got better and his free throw shooting go worse, i think he was like 70 percent or something early in his career. He admitted to getting nervous when he shoots free throw. lol That was a big thing on the Lakers boards last year, i twas like wtf? Then he says something like yeah, i make 80 percent in practice, but when i get into the game, i get nervous. lol

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Originally Posted by okcchief

That's essentially what I mean by bulldog mentallity. He doesn't have the desire or effort to carry a team on his back in playoff situations. Again, maybe he has a wake up call at some point and the light goes off. I can tell you his side kick who has been in the league 10 years doesn't have it 100%. The guy has no alpha dog in him what so ever.

If a first round playoff exit means no more McHale, I could live with that. Good guy, average coach. Maybe someone else can light that fire in this team.

[okcchief]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mhiZI7rdt8#t=74

Chandler Parson's reaction to the 19 points in a half. Priceless lol

[Shogun]

Da GOAT. Ramon Ranjo !

[-King-]

Joey crawford had to make sure no one forgot he was reffing the game.

[-King-]

This game is so good and it's barely been 5 minutes.

[GoChargers]

Love whooping the Knicks, especially that chucker Melo. Blake was talking shit to Spike Lee all night, LOL. We needed this win with a likely schedule loss coming up tomorrow against Indy.

[-King-]

Curry is just amazing.

[Al Bundy]

ZERO defense being played by the Warriors.

[Al Bundy]

Once the Warriors go completely cold from 3 they will be down by 15.