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]

I just saw it. Gotta call that.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

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.

They are better and currently sitting on an asset. Thy aren't even shooting that well from 3 and are on a better winning pace. You just choose to focus on a couple throwaway games. Young teams tank games. They gave it a whirl in the 2nd quarter, then quit. Oh well. It's something that happens a lot in the NBA. I don't give two ****s if they go one and done. It would be nice to beat a solid 3-6 seed, but it's not too important to me.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Hmmm

He's the know-mo of all things houston. Do you not remember the Case Keenum thread? I was wrong to say "nobody" but don't be a ****ing idiot

[The Bad Guy]

Asik is an asset?

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Asik is an asset?

Not a huge one, but will help acquire depth, picks, or more trade material.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by Rudy lost the toss

He's the know-mo of all things houston. Do you not remember the Case Keenum thread? Don't be a ****ing idiot

He's not the only one. The Rockets arent statisically better than last year. You believe they are because they have Dwight Howard. They have a collection of talent with zero heart and toughness. Call me names all you want it doesnt make anything you are saying correct.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Originally Posted by okcchief

He's not the only one. The Rockets arent statisically better than last year. You believe they are because they have Dwight Howard. They have a collection of talent with zero heart and toughness. Call me names all you want it doesnt make anything you are saying correct.

They aren't a young team? Compared to teams like the Cavs they have all the heart and toughness. Dwight's PER is much better than Asik could ever provide.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Rockets also 6th in opponent FG%.

[GoChargers]

The Clippers have completely regressed into a two-man team in the past couple weeks and it's finally caught up with us. This team doesn't even resemble a contender right now. JJ coming back should help but there needs to be some roster moves to bolster our anemic bench.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I just saw it. Gotta call that.

Yep, I'm all for letting them play and not making the refs the decider at the end of games, but there's a point where it's so obvious that I say call it, because they're essentially forcing the refs hand and that's equally bullshit!

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by okcchief

He's not the only one. The Rockets arent statisically better than last year. You believe they are because they have Dwight Howard. They have a collection of talent with zero heart and toughness. Call me names all you want it doesnt make anything you are saying correct.

Howard has done nothing to impress me since his 2nd to last season in Orlando, and I would have zero interest in my team signing him - overpaid for his true value.

[KC_Connection]

Phoenix is a playoff team.

[dirk digler]

Lakers and Cavs are discussing trading Gasol for Bynum and then dump Bynum. Will save $20 million for next year.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Lakers and Cavs are discussing trading Gasol for Bynum and then dump Bynum. Will save $20 million for next year.

Actually makes a ton of sense.

[mcaj22]

Horford tore his pectoral muscle AGAIN? that sucks.