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.

[KevB]

Oh, and Inside the NBA is going to be fun after that game.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Dwight's FTs cost them the game. Also the lack of defense at a crucial moment.

Sound familiar.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KevB

And that, my friends, is why Houston is not a legit contender. They should be ashamed.

Ugly ass game.

[KC_Connection]

Harden is still relied upon to do pretty much everything for them on offense. They're an obvious playoff team, but I don't know about winning a round once they get there.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by -King-

LAKE SHOW!

**** Dwight.

Has to feel good for Laker fans.

Dwight is a great rebounder and defender. People need to stop comparing him to historically elite centers. He's not one.

The thing about Houston that will prevent them winning big in the playoffs is overall they play really dumb basketball.

[CaliforniaChief]

Oh Dwight, you haven't changed.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Cash your paycheck, and keep fueling rallies with your inept free throw shooting.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Has to feel good for Laker fans.

Dwight is a great rebounder and defender. People need to stop comparing him to historically elite centers. He's not one.

The thing about Houston that will prevent them winning big in the playoffs is overall they play really dumb basketball.

Dwight's days as a guy that can control a game on the defensive end are long gone though. He's a good defender, but not the DPOY level anymore. Harden is a GREAT offensive player, but his defense is atrocious. That last three by Meeks to cut it to 2 is a prime example. Just stay in front and he doesn't score. Harden cheated, gave up and Meeks was wide open from the top. Just a bad defensive team that doesn't know how to deal with Howard in a close game yet.

[CaliforniaChief]

Kenny Smith

"Buttholes"

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Harden is still relied upon to do pretty much everything for them on offense. They're an obvious playoff team, but I don't know about winning a round once they get there.

As I stated when they signed Howard it's Harden's team. When Howard figures that out don't be suprised if he's moping like a bitch.

Asik is a poor man's Howard. You really don't need both. Their only hope is to move him for someone that can play some perimeter D.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KevB

Dwight's days as a guy that can control a game on the defensive end are long gone though. He's a good defender, but not the DPOY level anymore. Harden is a GREAT offensive player, but his defense is atrocious. That last three by Meeks to cut it to 2 is a prime example. Just stay in front and he doesn't score. Harden cheated, gave up and Meeks was wide open from the top. Just a bad defensive team that doesn't know how to deal with Howard in a close game yet.

There was another play late in the game where Meeks blew past him and Harden got away with a foul. He still shows no signs of improvement defensively.

[-King-]

I love Inside the NBA. Only sports analysis show I can watch.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by -King-

I love Inside the NBA. Only sports analysis show I can watch.

Agreed

[KC_Connection]

Perkins' reverse dunk attempt.

[KevB]

OMG, that Kendrick Perkins reverse layup in Shaqtin' a Fool was funny as hell. I'm cackling at that, damn.

[KC_Connection]

Huge win for Shaq with 2/5 free throws.