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 KC_Connection

Even if Portland gets the #1 seed (they likely won't), nobody's taking them seriously as a playoff contender over the Spurs or OKC yet. If the SAS has the home advantage over OKC, that's the key.

If OKC is healthy they will win the West. Home court won't matter at all.

You are sleeping on Portland. I watch a shit load of NBA basketball. They are a threat.

Besides, you said homecourt not who's winning the West. IMO it's OKC PORT SA when playoff time comes.

[kcxiv]

Idont think a team has ever came from no play offs to win it all. Especially a teamthat didnt win the free agency lottery. Portland is going to have to pay its dues for about a year or 2 before they make a big splash.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by okcchief

If OKC is healthy they will win the West. Home court won't matter at all.

Home court always matters when OKC is involved. Greatest advantage in the sport today.

And don't forget that if it wasn't for a Ray Allen 3, the Spurs would be defending NBA champs right now. They're the favorite in the West if they have home advantage.

You are sleeping on Portland. I watch a shit load of NBA basketball. They are a threat.

Too soft to beat Spurs or Thunder and no playoff pedigree. I doubt I'll change my mind on that until the playoffs start and they show what they can do there.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Home court always matters when OKC is involved. Greatest advantage in the sport today.

And don't forget that if it wasn't for a Ray Allen 3, the Spurs would be defending NBA champs right now. They're the favorite in the West if they have home advantage.


Too soft to beat Spurs or Thunder and no playoff pedigree. I doubt I'll change my mind on that until the playoffs start and they show what they can do there.

It matters for the Spurs. OKC has already beat them in the playoffs when they had homecourt and just dogged a rested Spurs team at home last weekend. They also IMO would have beat them last year had WB not been injured. If OKC has Westbrook they are winning the West and very possibly the whole thing.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by okcchief

It matters for the Spurs.

I know. If OKC gets home advantage (which seems less likely now), I won't be picking against them for obvious reasons.

OKC has already beat them in the playoffs when they had homecourt

Yes, it's not like they can't win on the road. Playing at home just makes it easier for them.

and just dogged a rested Spurs team at home last weekend.

Don't care in the slightest and neither should you.

They also IMO would have beat them last year had WB not been injured. If OKC has Westbrook they are winning the West and very possibly the whole thing.

Impossible to say about last year, but the Spurs were an amazing basketball team last year and remain so. This year will likely come down to a tiny margin in any case.

[okcchief]

I'm usually on that Spurs wagon with you, but I don't like this team. I wouldn't even be shocked to see some other teams pass them by.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I'm usually on that Spurs wagon with you, but I don't like this team. I wouldn't even be shocked to see some other teams pass them by.

It's pretty much the same team as last year. They execute offensively better than anybody and play excellent defense. I'd be very surprised if they weren't in the West finals.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Home court always matters when OKC is involved. Greatest advantage in the sport today.

And don't forget that if it wasn't for a Ray Allen 3, the Spurs would be defending NBA champs right now. They're the favorite in the West if they have home advantage.


Too soft to beat Spurs or Thunder and no playoff pedigree. I doubt I'll change my mind on that until the playoffs start and they show what they can do there.

They have already, and have beat 5 of the 7 teams with 20 wins at this point in the season.

Not saying that they'd take the series, but they play well on the road, and home court for Portland would be a huge advantage in making any team out of the West have to earn a series win the honest way.

They're still growing and the reason I give pause on them is come playoff time, they'll need to be better as a team on the defensive side of the ball and find a way to create more turnovers- as they have paltry numbers in the steals department.

That's why the buzz about acquiring Asik is rather intriguing.

On the flip side, their offense can light anyone up in the league, and currently the only team in NBA history to as a whole average over 45% Fg percentage, over 40% from 3, and over 80% at the free throw line.

Damian Lillard is only a 2nd year player and will be 1 of the top 2-3 point guards possibly by next season- look at how Paul George has skyrocketed in his 3rd year, plus check his numbers when facing the other elites in the game. Dude is a b-a-l-l-e-r !


If they pulled out the 1 spot- they'd not only have to face only 1 of the 2 but also get them after OKC or SA just came off a series having to battle one another.

Plus, I think they've found themselves a great find for a head coach.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

They have already, and have beat 5 of the 7 teams with 20 wins at this point in the season.

Not saying that they'd take the series, but they play well on the road, and home court for Portland would be a huge advantage in making any team out of the West have to earn a series win the honest way.

They're still growing and the reason I give pause on them is come playoff time, they'll need to be better as a team on the defensive side of the ball and find a way to create more turnovers- as they have paltry numbers in the steals department.

That's why the buzz about acquiring Asik is rather intriguing.

On the flip side, their offense can light anyone up in the league, and currently the only team in NBA history to as a whole average over 45% Fg percentage, over 40% from 3, and over 80% at the free throw line.

Damian Lillard is only a 2nd year player and will be 1 of the top 2-3 point guards possibly by next season- look at how Paul George has skyrocketed in his 3rd year, plus check his numbers when facing the other elites in the game. Dude is a b-a-l-l-e-r !


If they pulled out the 1 spot- they'd not only have to face only 1 of the 2 but also get them after OKC or SA just came off a series having to battle one another.

Plus, I think they've found themselves a great find for a head coach.

Yes, I agree with just about everything here. The Blazers are clearly a threat. But it's still regular season basketball. The playoffs are an entirely new and different test for them. We'll only truly see what they are made of then.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

It's pretty much the same team as last year. They execute offensively better than anybody and play excellent defense. I'd be very surprised if they weren't in the West finals.

Parker and Duncan have not been as good. They have had one of the weakest schedules so far, and aren't beating the good teams. Sure, they can flip on the magical switch in April and play better, but I truly believe Portland is better despite their lack of experience. Time will tell.

[GoChargers]

Originally Posted by Fruit Ninja

Idont think a team has ever came from no play offs to win it all.

You should know this as a Laker fan.... the '08 Celtics did it.

[dirk digler]

Pacers dominate the Nets and Hibbert and Evans had to be separated after the game is over.

And tough news about Westbrook, hope he is alright. Lebron is out tonight against Portland, strained groin.

And it appears Bynum is a head case or wants to quit.

[dirk digler]

Bosh with the game winning 3 to beat Portland

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Bosh with the game winning 3 to beat Portland

Just been watching it. Tough loss.

[dirk digler]

That was a rainbow 3 if there ever was one.