NBA Schedule 2012: Opening Week Games Guaranteed to Disappoint
After an extended NBA lockout and an offseason that saw commissioner David Stern heavily criticized, the last thing anyone wants to hear is that there will be some disappointing games to start off the season.
But disappointing games are inevitable in the NBA, and there will be plenty of them in the opening week.
Fortunately for all of us, the opening day games on Christmas all figure to be star-studded and action-packed.
As for the rest of the week, well, don't let some games ruin your New Year's.
Here are five opening week games guaranteed to disappoint.
5. Jazz at Spurs (Dec. 31)
1 of 5What better way to bring in the New Year with a boring game between two slow-paced teams, not to mention a San Antonio Spurs team that has seen better days?
The Spurs and Utah Jazz both have some first-round picks that may liven up the action a bit, the Jazz in particular, who drafted Enes Kanter and Alec Burks.
The Spurs have also lost up-and-coming point guard George Hill.
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are old now, and Tony Parker isn't getting any younger.
The days of this powerhouse are over, and the Jazz are boring to watch, especially without point guard Deron Williams.
4. Bulls at Warriors (Dec. 26)
2 of 5What would have made this game exciting is the Golden State Warriors' fast-paced tempo.
But the Chicago Bulls are a solid defensive team that can limit fast break opportunities, and the Warriors may now be without point guard Stephen Curry, who re-aggravated his right ankle in Tuesday's preseason game against the Sacramento Kings.
We already knew the Bulls would win this one. Now, we have to deal with a less-explosive Warriors attack.
If I watch this one, I'll just be trailing point guard Derrick Rose the whole game, regardless of if he's resting on the bench or not.
3. Nets at Magic (Dec. 29)
3 of 5The New Jersey Nets have had countless opportunities to become a playoff contender throughout the years, but continue to miss out on the league's top targets, whether it be on the trade market or in free agency.
They made a step in the right direction last season acquiring point guard Deron Williams, and the development of forward Kris Humphries has been encouraging, but they're not a playoff squad now.
If the Nets don't land the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard before this game, it will be disappointing in the sense that all that trade talk amounted to nothing.
If the Nets indeed land Howard, it will be disappointing because he went to the New Jersey Nets.
Lose-lose for everyone watching.
Plus, Williams has already come out and said he'll be "grumpy" if the Nets continue to lose this season.
Given he will have already played two games with the Nets before Dec. 29, he'll be a modern-day Scrooge by the time he faces the Magic.
2. Lakers at Nuggets (Jan. 1)
4 of 5The Denver Nuggets averaged 107.5 points per game last season, tops in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers averaged 101.5 points per game last season, ninth in the league.
But both teams are different this season, and it will lead to a New Year's game that will disappoint based on high expectations.
The Lakers traded away reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom this offseason for no apparent reason. Kobe Bryant is crabby. Pau Gasol didn't look like the same man in the playoffs last season. And the Lakers still can't defend fast point guards.
The Nuggets kept Nene Hilario, but J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin are all overseas playing in China.
These just aren't the same electric teams as before.
1. Hornets at Suns (Dec. 26)
5 of 5This game will be disappointing based on the mere fact that Chris Paul won't be playing and Steve Nash won't be traded yet.
Paul was traded from the New Orleans Hornets to the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason.
Steve Nash still hasn't realized he's going to end his career without a championship if he stays with the Phoenix Suns.
Although I do like some players in this matchup (new Hornet Eric Gordon in particular), this game is just going to depress me overall, a game between two teams that won't make the playoffs.
