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.

[RustShack]

Originally Posted by ILChief

Be prepared to be surprised. They will take Jabari Parker.

Actually rumor is that Parker has been at the top of their board all year... Now I don't know if it was our old GM, the new one, or both that had him there.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by RustShack

What Cleveland needs is a HC who will run a fast paced high scoring offense. Both guys would be able to get their points, and winning cures all.

What the Cavs need is a coach who will keep some egos in check. Kyrie is a really talented player. But I really don't like his attitude, and I think Deng's criticism of the team is a huge indictment on a guy like Kyrie.

I think George Karl is the perfect guy for the team. If not, Hollins is supposed to be high on the list and he's not a terrible candidate.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Well we are probably actually drafting Wiggins.

EDIT-

Duh Wiggins is a Jayhawk too. I'm fine with either though.

Wiggins is an interesting pick. He's a great character guy and he's a freakishly athlete. I talked to some guy who knows Wiggins' family well. The comment was that Wiggins could be among the game's elite… when he wants to be. That's the part that scares me. It's a great chance to take. He's going to be a great player. I wonder if he will have the consistent killer instinct to continually beat teams. Probably will, with the right coaching.

It will also be interesting to see if the Cavs make a run at LeBron. If they do, then suddenly, Parker and Wiggins are off their board. Unless they are considering moving one of them to Guard.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Wiggins is an interesting pick. He's a great character guy and he's a freakishly athlete. I talked to some guy who knows Wiggins' family well. The comment was that Wiggins could be among the game's elite… when he wants to be. That's the part that scares me. It's a great chance to take. He's going to be a great player. I wonder if he will have the consistent killer instinct to continually beat teams. Probably will, with the right coaching.

It will also be interesting to see if the Cavs make a run at LeBron. If they do, then suddenly, Parker and Wiggins are off their board. Unless they are considering moving one of them to Guard.

Watch Wiggins' game against WVU this year when he was motivated. Unreal. The question will be whether he reaches the point where he can play like that consistently.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Watch Wiggins' game against WVU this year when he was motivated. Unreal. The question will be whether he reaches the point where he can play like that consistently.

I agree. There were lots of games where the dude looked unstoppable. He almost seems too unselfish, and that's usually a good thing, but a guy that talented… I want to see him attack. All the time. If he's coached to be that kind of a killer, he's going to be something special. If he isn't, he's still going to be a terrific player.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Cavs don't need another soft Canadian.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Watch Wiggins' game against WVU this year when he was motivated. Unreal. The question will be whether he reaches the point where he can play like that consistently.

I doubt it. I just don't see him being a superstar in the league whereas I think Parker and Embiid can (provided Embiid stays healthy).

[Deberg_1990]

I feel like the Cavs win the draft lottery every year. Why are they so bad then?

[ChiefsCountry]

Just watch the Cavs take the kid from Australia.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by -King-

I doubt it. I just don't see him being a superstar in the league whereas I think Parker and Embiid can (provided Embiid stays healthy).

I think all three of them have that potential. If I had to pick a player #1, though, I don't think I could pass up on Embiid. Haven't ever seen anything quite like him when he was healthy.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I think all three of them have that potential. If I had to pick a player #1, though, I don't think I could pass up on Embiid. Haven't ever seen anything quite like him when he was healthy.

Yeah. A 7' player that moves like a small forward is just too good to pass up.

[okcchief]

I would definitely go Embiid.

Wiggins is a fantastic talent, and maybe in right situation he becomes a star. I think at minimum he's a very solid defender for a long time. Just not sold on him being an a franchise changing player.

[ChiefsCountry]

I kidded about Exum from Australia, but I think he could end up being just as good as the big names from the states.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by -King-

Cavs should break the bank for George Karl, but I don't think he'd be interested.

I think he wants to coach again. He could be worse off than what the Cavs have.

George Karl would be my pick if the Thunder by some miracle fired Brooks. I think he's enough of a players coach he wouldn't lose Russ and he has this thing that some of you NBA fans call a system I might as well talk about what color unicorn I'd like to fly.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I think all three of them have that potential. If I had to pick a player #1, though, I don't think I could pass up on Embiid. Haven't ever seen anything quite like him when he was healthy.

Agreed. If his back checks out, I'd be surprised if he wasn't the top pick. Especially with a scoring point guard --- having a big that can change the game defensively is huge. And he has a developing offensive game. Pick and roll with he and Kyrie could be really nice. It's a small man's game now, but having a dominant big is still a game changer.

The only counter is that the Cavs have had a gigantic hole at small forward since LeBron left. They traded for Deng, but not much help there. The Cavs have some interesting bigs, notsomuch at SF.