2010-2011 NBA Schedule: Top 10 Rivalry Games You Won’t Want to Miss
After giving fans a hint of what was to come last week, the NBA released the complete 2010-2011 schedule Tuesday afternoon.
The schedule features an overwhelming amount of intriguing matchups that coincide with the unprecedented amount of storylines surrounding next season.
The new face of the NBA has created new rivalries before the games have even started. The Heat's Hollywood act is certain to rub the competition the wrong way, but aside from the Lakers, Magic, and Celtics, there doesn't appear to be many teams talented enough take down mighty Miami.
Traditional rivalries including Boston-Chicago and Dallas-San Antonio will be renewed, while rising powers Oklahoma City and Portland look to make some noise against the NBA's veteran squads.
Here's a look at 10 of the NBA's most meaningful rivalry games on the schedule next season.
No. 10: Rockets at Lakers, Oct. 26
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The last time Yao Ming was on the court, the Lakers were in the process of outlasting the Rockets in an interesting playoff series.
The fantastic 2009 battle provided plenty of intriguing moments, although now that Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest are on a united front, things should be considerably more laid back.
The game has no shortage of subplots, starting with Yao's health. The Rockets are planning to limit his minutes throughout next season in a desperate effort to further his career. Exactly how many minutes he gets remains to be seen.
The scrappy Rockets have just enough pieces to bother a team like the Lakers. Assuming Yao, Kevin Martin, and Trevor Ariza stay healthy, we probably haven't seen the last meaningful game between the two teams.
No. 9: Spurs at Mavericks, Dec. 30
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Two teams flying well below the radar do battle in Dallas in late December.
By this point in the season, the few questions surrounding both teams should be answered. Will Roddy Beaubois get more minutes than Jason Kidd? Will the Spurs see enough from George Hill to begin seriously considering shipping Tony Parker out of town?
Both teams are equipped with enough weapons to compete against any team in the NBA. The Spurs and Mavericks have delighted fans with thrilling playoff series in recent years. Don't be surprised if the teams produce another classic in May.
No. 8: Bulls at Celtics, Nov. 5
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The new-look Bulls head into Boston to take on the familiar-looking Celtics.
These two foes have long been rivals and figure to contend against the likes of Miami and Orlando next season. It's hard to imagine the 2009 playoff series being topped, but the improvement of both teams as a whole and of Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo as individuals suggests that it could happen.
It will be interesting to see what kind of impact Carlos Boozer is able to have against the Celtics frontline. His performance could be the difference in the November matchup and when the teams meet down the road.
No. 7: Magic at Heat, Oct. 29
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The Heat's grandstanding probably hasn't sat real well with feisty Stan Van Gundy, who is certain to have his team prepared for an early season trip south to face the hated Heat.
Orlando's formula will be simple: give the ball to Dwight Howard and hope he is able to overwhelm the Heat's interior defense, which is likely to be one of the team's few weaknesses.
From top to bottom, the Magic and Heat present fascinating matchups, including Howard and Zydrunas Ilgasukas, Vince Carter and LeBron James, and even off the bench between the likes of Mike Miller and J.J. Redick.
The Sunshine State's NBA rivalry is alive and well once again.
No. 6: Lakers at Thunder, Feb. 27
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Kobe Bryant and the Lakers journey to Oklahoma City, which is quickly becoming one of the most hostile environments in the entire NBA.
The Thunder are quickly becoming one of the NBA's best teams and seem destined to assume the top spot in the West once the Lakers begin to be hampered by age.
The Lakers are eager to show that they won't be slowing down anytime soon, while the Thunder certainly remember how close they came to pushing the Lakers out of the playoffs last season.
Kevin Durant vs. Kobe Bryant adds an appealing element to what at first glance seems like a very unnatural rivalry.
No. 5: Heat at Knicks, Jan. 27
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Depending on what you deem as meaningful, this game could hold more importance. But for the purposes of being a rivalry, it isn't quite there yet.
LeBron's first trip to the Garden on December 17 should be very interesting to say the least. In a place where he has long been revered, bitter Knicks fans will let him have it.
As far as the game goes, the Knicks aren't anywhere close to being able to compete with Miami. The rivalry could be escalated considerably with the acquisition of Chris Paul or Carmelo Anthony.
For the moment at least, there are plenty of more meaningful rivalry games on the schedule.
No. 4: Heat at Cavaliers, Dec. 2
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The scene in Cleveland will be nothing short of a circus on December 2 when the Chosen One returns to face the ramifications of his fabled choice.
It could be ugly, both on the court and off of it.
There are all sorts of nasty things that could happen, from the standard taunts and jeers to more serious ways of expressing emotion. You know what they are.
The game itself isn't likely to be close, but that doesn't diminish the rivalry aspect of the Cavaliers-Heat death match by even one iota.
No. 3: Lakers at Celtics, Feb. 10
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The two teams who appear to have the best chancing of spoiling the party on South Beach meet in Boston in early February.
Arguably the NBA's best rivalry isn't prepared to take a back seat just yet, and with most of the same faces returning to do battle there will be no shortage of intensity.
It will be interesting to see if Shaq is able to contribute anything for the Celtics against the Lakers, and also to keep an eye on the feud between the two that has been buried in recent years. It seems like a perfect time for the two adversaries to pick up where they left off.
No. 2: Heat at Celtics, Oct. 26
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After all of the fanfare that has lasted for more than two years, LeBron James will finally play in a game for his new team. Even though it's the first game of the season, there is no question that it will have far-reaching implications while generating more hype than any season opener in history.
The Celtics and Heat developed a rivalry the moment that LeBron and Chris Bosh took their large talents and humongous egos to Miami.
The first chapter is likely to be plenty spirited thanks in part to Celtics' nation, which will be eager to make the new-look Heat feel the pressure.
No. 1: Heat at Lakers, Christmas Day
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The prelude to a championship series takes place on Christmas, when a day of giving will be interrupted by the most-hyped NBA game of the year.
The Heat take their act west to face the Lakers in what seems like a very good bet for an NBA Finals matchup six months down the line.
The reaction of all the parties involved in the game will be utterly fascinating to watch. Will Kobe turn back the clock and tap into his Jordan-like obsession for winning while trying to rip out the heart of his opponents? Will he try and fail? Will the Heat put on a clinic in an effort to prove they cannot be beaten?
Sadly, these questions won't be answered for a long time. But one thing is certain: rivalries are popping up all over the NBA.
David Stern simply couldn't be happier.
