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 Rudy lost the toss

4th game in 5 nights. They are a fine team that might get to 50 wins. They are a year or two away and need to overcome some depth/injury issues, but I'm fine with them taking their occasional lumps against really good teams. They do have a win over the Blazers and two road wins against SA

I was told Howard made them title contenders. Kendrick Perkins pushed his shit in last night. He didnt do shit for the Lakers and he's not doing shit for the Rockets. They probably had the same record this time last year. If 50 wins is what you are looking for you might get there, but the mentality this team has won't cut it in the playoffs. Their demeanor when shit is going bad is the worst in the league. They lost that game in 3 minutes last night.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I was told Howard made them title contenders. Kendrick Perkins pushed his shit in last night. He didnt do shit for the Lakers and he's not doing shit for the Rockets. They probably had the same record this time last year. If 50 wins is what you are looking for you might get there, but the mentality this team has won't cut it in the playoffs. Their demeanor when shit is going bad is the worst in the league. They lost that game in 3 minutes last night.

BS. You were told by nobody. They are right where most had them. This had all the makings of a throwaway game. 4 games in 5 nights, with 2 being on the road, and getting the best team in the NBA to close. They are still the 3rd youngest team in the NBA and they have yet to get anything for Asik. Terrence Jones is also an intriguing piece moving forward. Maybe they need another coach, but they are rolling with McHale for now.

Is Howard a superstar? Probably not. But he's a damn good player and could easily play a big role in a deep playoff run as soon as next year. He may not be the most consistent player, but when he shows, he is fun to watch. The Rockets had 45 wins last year. They are a better team this year despite injuries and Garcia being a horrible member of the rotation

[Simplicity]

Kyrie Irving.

[KC_Connection]

The Rockets are better than I thought they'd be (Dwight is much improved from last year as well), but they're obviously no championship contender right now.

[dirk digler]

Houston has improved from 102.5 pts\game against them last year to 102.3 this year. Howard has made a huge difference.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

SPORTSTALK ‏@LegacySportTalk 39m

Report: Andrew Bynum slept with the #Cavs coaches wife.

Delonte West Part II

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Delonte West Part II

lol, With MIke Browns wife? or a bench coach?


Anyways, lastnight X Henry hurt his knee. So everyone that has played Point Guard for the Lakers this year has gotten hurt. Nash, Kobe, Blake, Farmar and now Henry.

This is kinda ****ing freakish. lol They need to keep losing though. Need to bust a Spurs.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by TEX

I think the Rockets win the West. They're solid and VERY deep. Especially at the 5. They might not have the most talented starting 5 (but they are very good), but their roster is solid top to bottom. If they stay healthy, they can win it all.

And after they do, it will be one of those deals where "folks in the know" will be saying that they should have seen it coming when you take a good look at their roster.

Hmmm

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by Rudy lost the toss

BS. You were told by nobody. They are right where most had them. This had all the makings of a throwaway game. 4 games in 5 nights, with 2 being on the road, and getting the best team in the NBA to close. They are still the 3rd youngest team in the NBA and they have yet to get anything for Asik. Terrence Jones is also an intriguing piece moving forward. Maybe they need another coach, but they are rolling with McHale for now.

Is Howard a superstar? Probably not. But he's a damn good player and could easily play a big role in a deep playoff run as soon as next year. He may not be the most consistent player, but when he shows, he is fun to watch. The Rockets had 45 wins last year. They are a better team this year despite injuries and Garcia being a horrible member of the rotation

I've seen nothing that shows they are a better team.

Injuries? The Thunder didnt have Westbrook and beat them by 30. 117 points to a team missing a 20 plus a game scorer. An embarassing performance. Make any excuse you want. It's the same one and done team from last year.

[Snapplez]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I've seen nothing that shows they are a better team.

Injuries? The Thunder didnt have Westbrook and beat them by 30. 117 points to a team missing a 20 plus a game scorer. An embarassing performance. Make any excuse you want. It's the same one and done team from last year.

Would've gotten broomed right out of the playoffs even faster last year if it weren't for a cheap shot.

[Pitt Gorilla]

So, the NBA really is fixed. Conclusive evidence from the end of Wolves/Mavs.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

So, the NBA really is fixed. Conclusive evidence from the end of Wolves/Mavs.

I don't know what happened but the NBA isn't exactly fond of Cuban. Maybe a ref is down with his bookie?

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I don't know what happened but the NBA isn't exactly fond of Cuban. Maybe a ref is down with his bookie?

Call went against the Wolves. Marion chops across Love's shooting arm at the end of regulation, resulting in a no-call. Unreal.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Call went against the Wolves. Marion chops across Love's shooting arm at the end of regulation, resulting in a no-call. Unreal.

You see those no calls a lot. It's pretty shocking when they actually call a foul on a final shot.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

So, the NBA really is fixed. Conclusive evidence from the end of Wolves/Mavs.

I got so ****ing pissed at the call that I started a Kendrick Lewis troll thread.