NBA Schedule 2016-17: League Releases Official Regular-Season Slate
After a busy and notable free-agent period, the NBA whet the appetite of its fans Thursday by releasing the schedule for the 2016-17 season.
NBA.com unveiled the dates and times for all 1,230 regular-season matchups.
The first day of action will take place on October 25, with three games that will be highlighted by the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the New York Knicks.
As is always the case with the NBA schedule, Christmas Day features five noteworthy games, including the Cavaliers taking on the Golden State Warriors in an NBA Finals rematch and the Los Angeles Clippers vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.
The most anticipated game on the schedule features Kevin Durant's return to Oklahoma City as a member of the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 11.
There were small rumblings last season about the Warriors being a potential landing spot for Durant, but it always seemed like the Thunder would present too many good reasons for him to leave the franchise he helped turn into an NBA power.
When LeBron James originally left Cleveland for the Miami Heat after the 2010 season, he spurned a city that worshiped him by taking part in a television special and concluding it with the now-infamous line, "I'm taking my talents to South Beach. "
Durant did not make that kind of spectacle out of his decision to leave, even praising Oklahoma City in his article that ran on the Players' Tribune:
"I’m from Washington, D.C. originally, but Oklahoma City truly raised me. It taught me so much about family as well as what it means to be a man. There are no words to express what the organization and the community mean to me, and what they will represent in my life and in my heart forever. The memories and friendships are something that go far beyond the game. Those invaluable relationships are what made this deliberation so challenging.
It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career.
"
Even after announcing he was going to Golden State, Durant explained to China's Sina Sports (via ESPN.com) that his relationship with Russell Westbrook would be forever changed: "Obviously, our relationship won't ever be the same again. But it's something I wanted to do, and I expressed that to him. Hopefully he respected it."
While Durant remained respectful to Oklahoma City, both the city itself and Thunder fans, the feeling was not mutual for some:
"Drew is in the front yard setting his Durant jersey on fire lmao pic.twitter.com/Q5aqxWyfPq
— Lex (@lexxi_arthurr) July 4, 2016"
There will be backlash and loud boos from the fans in attendance at Chesapeake Energy Arena, marking the first time in Durant's career he has been a villain.
The Warriors have rapidly become the evil face of basketball. With Durant, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala forming the nucleus of this superteam, the Dubs have to deliver a championship right away or this season will be considered a bigger bust than last year's NBA Finals collapse at the hands of the Cavaliers after winning 73 games during the regular season.
There is no shortage of other games to keep an eye on.
If we are talking about returns, Dwyane Wade's trip to Miami on Nov. 10 as a member of the Chicago Bulls will be memorable. The 12-time All-Star is almost certain to get a warm reception from the Heat fans.
Heat president Pat Riley told reporters in July when talking about the team's offseason that the situation with Wade "floored me. I'm not trying to fall on the sword for anybody. I have great regret that I didn't immerse myself in the middle of it."
It's rare that a beloved sports figure leaves a team in free agency yet is still looked at in a positive light. Wade was able to do that because Riley has openly acknowledged he should have made a better effort to keep the three-time NBA champion.
The San Antonio Spurs will play their first game without Tim Duncan as a member of the roster since April 20, 1997, when they open their season on Oct. 25 against the Warriors. The Los Angeles Lakers have turned their franchise over to D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram now that Kobe Bryant has retired. The two up-and-coming stars will look to help the Lakers kick off the 2016-17 season with a win over the Houston Rockets on Oct. 26 at Staples Center.
This summer was one of the most memorable transition periods in NBA history, with several great players either changing teams or retiring. It's left a lot of questions about the league's future, though it will all be fascinating and exciting to watch when the games begin.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
Central
Southeast
Western Conference
Southwest
Northwest
Pacific
