2015 NBA Schedule Release: TV Info, Start Time, Date and More for Full Release
Basketball fans have been looking forward to the 2015-16 NBA season in the wake of the draft and free agency, but that excitement will amp up a few notches Wednesday when the regular-season schedule is officially released.
The entire slate of games for the upcoming campaign is set to be revealed Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
The 2014-15 season ended with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors standing tall over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Dubs and Cavs are once again considered top candidates to win it all, but teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets have made measurable gains this offseason as well.
With so many teams looking to close the gap between themselves and the NBA's elite class, the 2015-16 season has all the makings of a classic year in basketball.
Here is some further information regarding the schedule release as well as a rundown of the most intriguing matchups to keep tabs on when it finally drops.
2015-16 NBA Schedule Release Information
When: Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. ET
Where: NBA TV
Anticipated Matchups to Watch
Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks
The NBA offseason has been eventful, to say the least, but no storyline drew the attention of basketball fans more than the DeAndre Jordan controversy between the Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.
The first-team All-Defensive center originally agreed to a contract with the Mavs, but he ultimately had a change of heart, which resulted in his flipping and deciding to stay with the Clips.
Mavericks fans would have had every reason to be mad at Jordan for reneging on the deal, but the manner in which he did it will likely fuel their disdain for the former Texas A&M standout even more. Rather than speaking with Mavs owner Mark Cuban and explaining his decision to stay in L.A., he avoided him.
Clippers head coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers has only fanned the flames by suggesting that Jordan not explaining himself to Cuban wasn't a faux pas on ESPN's The Herd with Colin Cowherd (h/t Nina Mandell of USA Today):
"That's silly, in my opinion, I don't think anyone's owed anything. I didn't get a call from DJ when he decided to leave, I got a call from his agent. And we had a two-year relationship. So that part, I was amused by. But when DJ and I finally talked, he said it. 'Coach I want to come back.' So once we had the discussion, I knew we were back in ballgame obviously and I thought we would get him. But unfortunately it played out in front of everybody.
"
While Jordan never spoke with Cuban, despite the Mavs owner's attempts to contact him prior to his about-face, he later offered an apology of sorts on Twitter:
Jordan's attempt to calm the angry mob will almost certainly prove to be futile, as Mavericks fans are eager to give the 27-year-old big man a piece of their mind when he appears at the American Airlines Center for the first time next season.
It's likely that Jordan and the Clippers will get the last laugh since they boast the superior roster, but the vitriol that is sure to be spewed by the Dallas faithful will make for one of the craziest atmospheres in the NBA this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
Teams tend to generate some bad blood when they take part in long, competitive playoff series, and that seems to be the case when it comes to the Cavaliers and Warriors.
Golden State ultimately prevailed in the NBA Finals in six games due to its depth and adaptability, although it also benefited from the Cavs being without two of their best players in Kyrie Irving (knee) and Kevin Love (shoulder).
Cleveland was able to stay in it on the power of LeBron James alone, but he didn't have enough support in the end. Despite the Warriors' victory, Irving isn't convinced they are the better team when both squads are healthy, according to an interview he gave on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O'Neal:
"I'm more or less the voice of reason. I'm always gonna be a straight shooter with everyone and give them my honest opinion. Obviously, we had a great thing in Cleveland. We dealt with everything together. I felt like we would have definitely won an NBA championship if everyone was healthy. But almost doesn't count.
"
Check out Ric Bucher's thoughts on Irving's words in the video below:
The Warriors aren't likely to be overly offended by Irving's comments since they are the ones who got to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy, but they have expressed their superiority over the Cavs in some not-so-subtle ways.
Chief among them was Warriors forward Draymond Green wearing a championship shirt to a summer-league game between Golden State and Cleveland, as seen in this photo, courtesy of Ledell's Place on Twitter:
The Cavs clearly feel as though they have something to prove after falling just short of their goal, while the Warriors may have a bit of a chip on their shoulders due to the perception that Cleveland would have given them a run for their money at full health.
Oracle Arena will be rocking when the Cavaliers come to town this season, and if both teams are relatively healthy, it could prove to be the game of the year.
San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
The most dramatic move this offseason was undoubtedly Jordan's saga with the Mavericks and Clippers, but the most impactful signing in free agency was likely the Spurs' acquisition of former Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
The four-time All-Star was never able to get over the hump during his time in Portland, but his arrival instantly made the Spurs title contenders once again after their first-round exit in the 2015 playoffs.
Aldridge will team up with the likes of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green on a team that could give the Warriors a run for their money. The 30-year-old big man has put himself in a great position to vie for a championship, but he is well-aware of the impact his decision has on Blazers fans.
According to ESPN.com's Michael C. Wright, he doesn't expect to be welcomed back with open arms the first time he returns to the Moda Center:
"I think going back [to Portland] my first time might be boos because I think people are really hurt by my decision," Aldridge said. "They don't understand why I left. So I think my first game back, I probably will be booed."
The fact that Blazers superstar guard Damian Lillard made a public plea to Aldridge to remain in Portland won't help his cause, either, in the eyes of Blazers fans:
Aldridge's departure would have been devastating regardless of what other moves the Blazers made, but it had a domino effect, as they also traded away Nicolas Batum and allowed both Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez to sign elsewhere.
Portland is now in position to perhaps be one of the worst teams in the Western Conference, so Blazers fans are likely to be vocal when they see Aldridge donning black and silver.
Aldridge provided Portland fans with some great moments over the years, but his decision to leave the team and take its title aspirations with him will make him public enemy No. 1.
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