Schedule released today, Spurs @Suns for Christmas

[Bruno]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2008/08/05/20080805suns0806.html

Suns will host Christmas game
Spurs will be opponent for holiday and opener

by Paul Coro - Aug. 5, 2008 11:06 PM
The Arizona Republic

Suns fans might have a hard time accepting Wednesday's announcement of a Dec. 25 home game as an early Christmas present when they hear the opponent.

The San Antonio Spurs, who eliminated the Suns in three of the past four postseasons, will visit Phoenix to revive a tradition of an NBA Christmas in the desert. San Antonio also will host the Suns' regular-season opener Oct. 29. The Suns' home opener follows Oct. 30 against New Orleans, starting the season with a road-home back-to-back set for the third year in a row.

The regular-season schedule will be released Wednesday.

The Suns hosted Christmas games in the club's first nine years and again in the early 1980s and mid-1990s. They have not played on Christmas since 1996, when the schedule was made before Charles Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets.

Current Suns center Shaquille O'Neal led a 108-87 Lakers rout of the Suns that year.

[Bruno]

I don't know if the Suns @ Spurs game on October 29th will also be Spurs season-opener game.

[your_pimp]

You will go down bitches....

The Chritsmas game is ours!!!

[Texas_Ranger]

You will go down bitches....

The Chritsmas game is ours!!!

Regular season means shit! :sleep

Like always we'll kick your ass in the Playoffs. :ihit

[anakha]

You will go down bitches....

The Chritsmas game is ours!!!

:lmao at Louis still pretending to be a Suns fan and screwing up 'Christmas'.

[alamo50]

I don't know if the Suns @ Spurs game on October 29th will also be Spurs season-opener game.

Yes, it will be.

[mrspurs]

great............... xmas is right around the corner. all i want for xmas is a center to play next to timmy. (not fab,not kurt,not ian) but a real (ive played in this league before, im 7ft and i know how to block shots and rebound) lets see if santa pop is listening...thats not much to ask, i dont care about manu and his ankle, i dont care that tony doesnt know how to pass.(they will do what they do every xmas, play great basketball) but when those days come when nothing goes our way and noone can seem to score, a real center next to timmy will make it easier to keep the other teams from making layups,alley-oops, tip backs etc........thats all i want for xmas, again

[SenorSpur]

In light of the rekindling of the Shaq/Kobe feud, I was certain that the networks would force-feed us another, round of Suns/Fakers.

[anjlbitz]

OMG! We will be in Phoenix for X-mas!! I finally get to see the Spurs in person! I'm stoked!

[ambchang]

Are the Spurs scheduled to play every other day for in the playoffs after playing a grueling 7 game series? oh wait, it depends if they match up with a large market team.

[ashbeeigh]

Are the Spurs scheduled to play every other day for in the playoffs after playing a grueling 7 game series? oh wait, it depends if they match up with a large market team.

you have to wait for the playoffs to start for that schedule to come out.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Well there's some good news. Sucks for the Spurs, but it's something to take my mind off of the annual truckload of ugly sweaters I'll get from my family.

[spursreport]

Fucking bullshit that the spurs have to play on xmas and it is even more bullshit that it's on the road. Fuck the schedule makers for doing that to them. Spurs dont need to or want to play on xmas day. They would rather spend it with their families. Again such horseshit that they have to play on xmas!

[xtremesteven33]

i think its awesome.


nothing better for NBA fans than to watch a great NBA game after christmas dinner.

[lefty]

Regular season means shit! :sleep

Like always we'll kick your ass in the Playoffs. :ihit

Don't waste your energy on this troll

[kolko]

http://www.nba.com/spurs/schedule/

[Xylus]

Even though the Suns tend to lose against the Spurs, they always seem to have tense, exciting games. I'm looking forward to this one!

It's bullshit that our first two games of the season are on a back-to-back against San Antonio and New Orleans on the road.

[Texas_Ranger]

^^WAWAWIWA!!! I'll have a nice birthday if Spurs win the game against PHX on 29.1. :spin

[lefty]

Even though the Suns tend to lose against the Spurs, they always seem to have tense, exciting games. I'm looking forward to this one!

It's bullshit that our first two games of the season are on a back-to-back against San Antonio and New Orleans on the road.

+ 1

Spurs had a lot of tough back-to-back games last season too; it's really crappy

[FromWayDowntown]

Wow -- that stretch before and the first part of the RRT is going to be a bitch.

1/25 @ LA Lakers 2:30pm
1/27 @ Utah 8:00pm
1/29 @ Phoenix 9:30pm
1/31 vs New Orleans 7:30pm
2/02 @ Golden State 9:30pm
2/03 @ Denver 8:00pm
2/08 @ Boston 12:00pm
2/10 @ New Jersey 6:30pm
2/11 @ Toronto 6:00pm
2/17 @ New York 6:30pm
2/19 @ Detroit 7:00pm
2/21 @ Washington 6:00pm

[BWS-1994]

I wonder how hot it will be in Phoenix on December 25...

[Texas_Ranger]

Wow -- that stretch before and the first part of the RRT is going to be a bitch.

1/25 @ LA Lakers 2:30pm
1/27 @ Utah 8:00pm
1/29 @ Phoenix 9:30pm
1/31 vs New Orleans 7:30pm
2/02 @ Golden State 9:30pm
2/03 @ Denver 8:00pm
2/08 @ Boston 12:00pm
2/10 @ New Jersey 6:30pm
2/11 @ Toronto 6:00pm
2/17 @ New York 6:30pm
2/19 @ Detroit 7:00pm
2/21 @ Washington 6:00pm

WOW!!:wow
Thats some fucked up schedule.

[Xylus]

I wonder how hot it will be in Phoenix on December 25...

The average high temperature in Phoenix, in December, is 66 degrees. Phoenix winters are lovely.

[loveforthegame]

Wow -- that stretch before and the first part of the RRT is going to be a bitch.

1/25 @ LA Lakers 2:30pm
1/27 @ Utah 8:00pm
1/29 @ Phoenix 9:30pm
1/31 vs New Orleans 7:30pm
2/02 @ Golden State 9:30pm
2/03 @ Denver 8:00pm
2/08 @ Boston 12:00pm
2/10 @ New Jersey 6:30pm
2/11 @ Toronto 6:00pm
2/17 @ New York 6:30pm
2/19 @ Detroit 7:00pm
2/21 @ Washington 6:00pm

That's just brutal.

[lefty]

When will NBA tickets be officialy on sale?

Around September?

[ducks]

wow
stern is sure nice

[ducks]

19 hole national tv games
I bet houston has more

[ducks]

I wonder how hot it will be in Phoenix on December 25...

sometimes you have to wear a coat

[xtremesteven33]

2008 Christmas games:

Hornets @ Magic
Spurs @ Suns
Celtics @ Lakers
Wizards @ Cavaliers
Mavericks @ Blazers



wow

[tp2021]

http://www.nba.com/spurs/schedule/

The tab on that link says its the 2007-2008 schedule. Is it for this season or last season? :dizzy

[FromWayDowntown]

I count 18 back-to-backs (including two rare set of back-to-back home games -- one right before Christmas and another right after the RRT) and 5 sets of 5 games in 7 nights:

NOVEMBER -- 4 back to backs/1 set of 5 in 7
v. DAL, @ MIN
v. NYK, @ MIL
@ SAC, @ LAC (with the previous b-2-b, a 5-in-7 with a home game against HOU in middle)
v. MEM, @ HOU

DECEMBER -- 3 back to backs/1 set of 5 in 7
@ DAL, v. ATL
@ NO, @ ORL
v. SAC, v. MIN (last two are a 5-in-7 with a home game v. TOR in the middle)

JANUARY -- 3 back-to-backs/1 set of 5 in 7
@ MEM, v. PHI
@ PHI, @ CHI (these last two are a 5-in-7 with a home game against LAL before @ PHIL)
@ CHA, v. IND

FEBRUARY -- 3 back-to-backs/1 set of 5-in-7 covering end Feb and beginning Mar
@ GST, @ DEN (RRT)
@ NJ, @ TOR (RRT)
v. DAL, v. PRT (becomes a 5-in-7 with a home game against CLE)

MARCH -- 3 back-to-backs
@ PRT, @ LAC (end of the 5-in-7)
@ OKC, v. MIN
v. GST, @ ATL

APRIL -- 2 back-to-backs/1 set of 5-in-7
@ OKC, v. PRT (with next set is 5-in-7 with v. UTH in middle)
@ SAC, @ GST

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Wow -- that stretch before and the first part of the RRT is going to be a bitch.

1/25 @ LA Lakers 2:30pm
1/27 @ Utah 8:00pm
1/29 @ Phoenix 9:30pm
1/31 vs New Orleans 7:30pm
2/02 @ Golden State 9:30pm
2/03 @ Denver 8:00pm
2/08 @ Boston 12:00pm
2/10 @ New Jersey 6:30pm
2/11 @ Toronto 6:00pm
2/17 @ New York 6:30pm
2/19 @ Detroit 7:00pm
2/21 @ Washington 6:00pm

Fuck it, bring it on.
:makemyday

[Bruno]

Spurs schedule sucks.

Spurs will again plays 17 games in March. It will be the second time in their history that they will play that much in a month.
31 games post ASG should also be a record for Spurs.
If Spurs fight for a specific playoff spot late in the season, they will be damn exhausted for the playoffs.

F**K the scheduler.

[debo]

19 hole national tv games
I bet houston has more

they have 13

[FromWayDowntown]

Spurs will play everyone in the West 4 times except:

Denver (1 home, 2 away)
Utah (2 home, 1 away)
Lakers (2 home, 1 away)
Sacramento (1 home, 2 away)

[spurs1990]

Full count of nat'l tv games:

25 Lakers
25 Celtics
25 Cavaliers
25 Suns
21 Mavericks
19 Spurs

[robino2001]

Full count of nat'l tv games:

25 Lakers
25 Celtics
25 Cavaliers
25 Suns
21 Mavericks
19 Spurs

Only 5 of the 19 at home too.... what, the AT&T not nice enough for the crews? Afraid their trucks will get stolen?

Yeah, actually that makes sense - nevermind

[Kori Ellis]

Wow -- that stretch before and the first part of the RRT is going to be a bitch.

1/25 @ LA Lakers 2:30pm
1/27 @ Utah 8:00pm
1/29 @ Phoenix 9:30pm
1/31 vs New Orleans 7:30pm
2/02 @ Golden State 9:30pm
2/03 @ Denver 8:00pm
2/08 @ Boston 12:00pm
2/10 @ New Jersey 6:30pm
2/11 @ Toronto 6:00pm
2/17 @ New York 6:30pm
2/19 @ Detroit 7:00pm
2/21 @ Washington 6:00pm

What's really crappy about that schedule is the rodeo doesn't start til Feb 5th. So why are the Spurs on the road for 5 of 6 games BEFORE they even need to get out of the AT&T Center?

The rodeo road trip is actually only 6 games with the All-Star break in the middle.

[FromWayDowntown]

I actually think that the part of the schedule that is truly the RRT is better than it's been in recent years: a GST/DEN back-to-back won't be easy, but it comes with the promise of 4 full days off; there's a three game stretch that starts in Boston, but at least the Spurs will get the Celtics at the beginning of that stretch and not the end and the ensuing back-to-back is winnable. The last 3 games make a do-able 2-1, leaving a good chance that the Spurs could finish the trip with maybe 1 or 2 losses.

But it's that 4 game stretch immediately before the trip that's going to make all of that iffy.

[timvp]

Spurs got screwed again with a vicious schedule. WTF? The Rodeo Road Trip schedule is beyond hardcore. Tough teams and then throw in something like GS back-to-back with Denver with less than 24 hours rest? Wow.

March is a killer month again. That month last year was the reason why Manu broke down and was done physically come April. The only good thing about that month this year is that from March 6 to April 3, the Spurs don't have to do that much traveling. Last year's killer March stretch was almost all on the road.

Overall if last year was a 10.0 in terms of difficulty, this year looks about a 9.9. It might actually be a 10.0 if the team has any injuries heading into the RMR because that's a schedule that can cause about a half dozen losses before you can even blink.

[your_pimp]

I count 18 back-to-backs (including two rare set of back-to-back home games -- one right before Christmas and another right after the RRT) and 5 sets of 5 games in 7 nights:

NOVEMBER -- 4 back to backs/1 set of 5 in 7
v. DAL, @ MIN
v. NYK, @ MIL
@ SAC, @ LAC (with the previous b-2-b, a 5-in-7 with a home game against HOU in middle)
v. MEM, @ HOU

DECEMBER -- 3 back to backs/1 set of 5 in 7
@ DAL, v. ATL
@ NO, @ ORL
v. SAC, v. MIN (last two are a 5-in-7 with a home game v. TOR in the middle)

JANUARY -- 3 back-to-backs/1 set of 5 in 7
@ MEM, v. PHI
@ PHI, @ CHI (these last two are a 5-in-7 with a home game against LAL before @ PHIL)
@ CHA, v. IND

FEBRUARY -- 3 back-to-backs/1 set of 5-in-7 covering end Feb and beginning Mar
@ GST, @ DEN (RRT)
@ NJ, @ TOR (RRT)
v. DAL, v. PRT (becomes a 5-in-7 with a home game against CLE)

MARCH -- 3 back-to-backs
@ PRT, @ LAC (end of the 5-in-7)
@ OKC, v. MIN
v. GST, @ ATL

APRIL -- 2 back-to-backs/1 set of 5-in-7
@ OKC, v. PRT (with next set is 5-in-7 with v. UTH in middle)
@ SAC, @ GST


The season hasn't started yet and these bitches are already crying about back to backs!! :wow :cry

[ElNono]

Now I remember why we needed to get younger...

[duncan228]

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2008/08/jeff_mcdonald_c_1.html

Jeff McDonald: Christmas in the desert

The 2008-09 NBA schedule isn't quite out yet -- it's expected to be released before lunchtime today -- but this much is already certain:

The Spurs have little to no hope of enjoying a white Christmas this year. Instead, they are set to spend the holidays in a place where even Santa Claus wears short pants.

According to a story in this morning's Arizona Republic, the the Phoenix Suns are set to revive a franchise tradition of hosting a game on Dec. 25. Their opponent? The Spurs.

For the Suns, this news might be as welcome as a lump of coal in their collective stocking. The Spurs, after all, have owned the Suns of late -- bouncing Phoenix from the postseason in three of the past four years.

Of course, we're talking about a December game here, not a May date. The Suns beat the Spurs three of four during the regular season last year.

[RonMexico]

Opener and Christmas game... should be fun. It will be cool to play the Spurs earlier since the Suns-Spurs matchups were Dec. Jan. Mar. April last year.

[benefactor]

Looks like the league wants to make sure the Finals are nowhere near SA this year. It's up to us to stick it to 'em.

:flag:

[Buddy Holly]

What's really crappy about that schedule is the rodeo doesn't start til Feb 5th. So why are the Spurs on the road for 5 of 6 games BEFORE they even need to get out of the AT&T Center?

The rodeo road trip is actually only 6 games with the All-Star break in the middle.

Well, the two before the 5th are understandable as they need a couple of days before to prepare the arena for the rodeo.

[DPG21920]

So what is the deal with OKC? What division will they be in?

[mrspurs]

i love the rodeo...thats when the spurs get tough(except last yr. for whatever reason) and 23 days none stop 18hr days......the freeman and the at@t center become one monster money making machine, that seperates the men from the boys.....them dang spurs best not come back looking like they did after last seasons rodeo trip, there's a few of us, around the barns, who are get used to seeing a totally different team due to the rodeo trip(a tougher team)......and im guilty

[Spurs Brazil]

DAMN, march looks brutal again.

[Spurs Brazil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=ScheduleHighlights-080806

Schedule highlights: Season opens with champs versus King James
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: August 6, 2008
Comment
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Elsa/Getty Images

The Boston Celtics will get their NBA championship rings in the presence of the King on Opening Night.
The NBA's 2008-09 schedule is out ... and you know what that means.



An equally anticipated document has to go with it: ESPN.com's first rundown of must-see games for the coming season to immediately input into your electronic calendar of choice.



Oct. 28: Opening Night
An earlier-than-usual launch to the season starts with a tasty TNT doubleheader, leading off with the new champs from Boston hosting LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers on ring night and capped by Greg Oden's long-awaited NBA debut in Blazers at Lakers.

Oct. 29: Opening Night (continued)
Elton Brand makes his 76ers debut in the same game that Jermaine O'Neal makes his official Raptors debut: Toronto at Philadelphia.

Furthermore: Michael Beasley makes his pro debut at Madison Square Garden (along with Dwyane Wade's official return from injury) in Heat at Knicks, Ron Artest makes his Rockets debut in Memphis at Houston, and Oklahoma City makes its debut as a full-time NBA city with a visit from the Milwaukee Bucks.

And ...

ESPN dishes its own doubleheader doozy: Phoenix at San Antonio to renew year after year of recent playoff pleasantries, followed by Lakers at Clippers in a fitting bow for the Clips' new Angeleno point guard: Baron Davis.

Oct. 30: Houston at Dallas (TNT)
The Mavericks are one of two teams (along with Charlotte) that must wait until Thursday for their opening game, giving Mavs fans more time to fret that the Rockets' acquisition of Ron Artest reduces Dallas to the third-best team in Texas.

Oct. 31: San Antonio at Portland (ESPN)
The best of the Halloween fare, at least in NBA terms, is unquestionably Oden matching up with Tim Duncan.

Nov. 1: Washington at Detroit (NBA TV)
The league is still sorting out its full 96-game NBA TV schedule, but Wizards-Pistons has been confirmed as the opener of NBA TV's maiden doubleheader, which concludes with a Portland-at-Phoenix nightcap.


[+] EnlargeJesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

If Yao can stay healthy, this could be a preview of the 2009 Finals.


Nov. 4: Boston at Houston
You don't have to wait long for a look at the NBA's reigning threesome of doom (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) throwing down against the new trio on the block (McGrady, Yao and Artest).

P.S. How much playing time will the twins get in Phoenix at New Jersey ... also known as Robin Lopez at Brook Lopez?

Nov. 5: Charlotte at New York
Larry Brown returns to Madison Square Garden with his (latest) new team. We'll spare you the dates on Larry's returns to Denver, New Jersey, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Indiana, Philly and Detroit.

Nov. 6: Houston at Portland (TNT)
Yao Ming and Oden go toe-to-toe for the first time. Health permitting, of course.

Nov. 9: Houston at L.A. Lakers
The denizens of Lakerland who so badly wanted to see Artest in purple and gold will get their first dose of torture early. In L.A.'s first Sunday home game of the season, actually.

Nov. 10: Portland at Orlando
Oden will have lined up against Shaquille O'Neal (Nov. 1), Yao and Dwight Howard in a span of 10 days by the time he gets through this one. Health permitting, of course.

Nov. 12: Atlanta at Boston
Are the Hawks and Celtics rivals now because of what happened in the first round of the playoffs?

Better question: Shouldn't Olympiacos be required to swing through Atlanta as part of the usual October spree of exhibition games against top European clubs?

Nov. 13: Dallas at Chicago (TNT)
Mavs owner Mark Cuban could know by this point whether he has won the race to buy the Cubs, which would make this somewhat of a home game for him and certainly spice up his relationship with Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, since Reinsdorf owns the White Sox.

Nov. 14: Detroit at L.A. Lakers (ESPN)
What sort of reception awaits Kwame Brown at Staples Center? Just a hunch: If history is any guide, Kwame needn't expect (or want) any mention of a cake.

On the undercard: Kareem Rush's Philadelphia 76ers visit brother Brandon Rush's Indiana Pacers.

Nov. 18: Cleveland at New Jersey
LeBron and Jay-Z! In the same building! Exactly one week before LeBron goes to MSG to hang with Spike Lee and the Knicks!

Cavs fans will want to avoid online consumption of the New York tabloids for a good few days before Thanksgiving.

Nov. 20: L.A. Lakers at Phoenix (TNT)
Kobe, tell me how many times do you think you and Shaq will be asked about recent rapping exploits?

Detroit at Boston, incidentally, isn't exactly a bland appetizer for TNT.

Nov. 21: Boston at Minnesota
A hamstring strain prevented KG from playing in his first visit to 'Sota as an ex-Wolf last February. Hard to see him missing two in row, though.

In Philadelphia, meanwhile, Baron and Elton will be in the same building for the first time since they did not end up on the same team as so many of us expected.

And over in Oklahoma City, New Orleans is in town to play the OKC TBAs for the first time, which makes you wonder: Who gets the louder cheers -- Chris Paul or Kevin Durant?

[+] EnlargeDavid Sherman/Getty Images

How will a healthier and richer Gilbert Arenas look in 2008-09?


Nov. 25: Golden State at Washington
This will be Gilbert Arenas' first encounter with the Warriors since becoming a $111 Million Man.

Nov. 27: Happy Thanksgiving
After two years off, the NBA has elected to restore its traditional Thanksgiving program with a double serving.

It's D-Howard and Arenas headlining Orlando at Washington, followed by Team USA teammates CP3 and Carmelo Anthony as the principal draws for New Orleans at Denver.



Nov. 28: Miami at Phoenix (ESPN)
Shawn Marion spent eight and a half seasons as a Sun, playing alongside Jason Kidd, then Stephon Marbury, then Steve Nash. Which makes this one of the season's standout reunion games.

Earlier in the evening, Philadelphia at Boston is a marquee matchup again for the first time in, uh, forever.

Dec. 12: New Orleans at Boston (ESPN)
Call it James Posey Ring Collection Night.

Dec. 15: New York at Phoenix
If the Knicks are a running team by this point -- and if the Suns are still running by this point -- we should be treated to a fun track meet in Mike D'Antoni's honor.

Dec. 17: San Antonio at New Orleans (ESPN)
Spurs at Hornets for the first time since that fateful Game 7.

Dec. 19: Dallas at New Jersey
Jason Kidd is back in Jersey as a visiting player for the first time since, well, making Jersey matter to the NBA.

Dec. 22: L.A. Lakers at Memphis
The Lakers were out of trips to Memphis by the time they stole, er, acquired Pau Gasol from the Grizz in that infamous, er, famous trade. As if that isn't enough of a story line for you, don't forget that Pau and his brother Marc Gasol will be dueling, too.

Not to be overlooked: Houston at New Jersey will only be the most watched game of the regular season ... once you factor in the Chinese TV audience tuning in for Yao Ming vs. Yi Jianlian.

Dec. 25: Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!
This has to be some sort of record: Christmas Day delivers five NBA games on national TV.

Five!

New Orleans at Orlando gets us started at noon on ESPN.

ABC follows with a pretty handy doubleheader: Spurs at Suns, then your inevitable Celtics-at-Lakers Finals rematch.

TNT takes us home with Washington at Cleveland -- LeBron and DeShawn Stevenson together on a holiday? -- followed by Dallas at Portland.

You can't ask Santa for more.

Dec. 26: Chicago at Miami (ESPN)
What can you possibly give the people after a five-game Christmas?

The first installment of Derrick Rose versus Michael Beasley, naturally.

Dec. 29: Memphis at Minnesota
Who got the best of the O.J. Mayo-for-Kevin Love deal? We'll start to find out here, when the respective prides of USC and UCLA hook up for their first pro showdown.

[+] EnlargeJesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

Elton Brand in a Sixers uni will be a painful sight for Clipper Nation.


Dec. 31: Philadelphia at L.A. Clippers
The very last NBA game of the 2008 calendar year happens to be Elton's first game at Staples since leaving the Clips for the 76ers in free agency.

Jan. 2: Miami at Orlando
There are no New Year's Day games in the NBA this season. So this is the first game of 2009: Stan Van Gundy coaching against coaching rookie Erik Spoelstra, his longtime Heat colleague.

Jan. 7: New Orleans at Utah
Our first chance to ask: Is the Chris Paul-Deron Williams rivalry even better now after they've played together for Team USA?

Jan. 14: L.A. Lakers at San Antonio (ESPN)
We repeat: Manu Ginobili's ankle injury had to be worse than anyone imagined for the Lakers to win the West finals in five.

Jan 16: Toronto at Indiana
All the attention will be trained on Jermaine and what sort of crowd reaction he generates in his return to Indy ... but isn't Jose Calderon-T.J. Ford matchup even more compelling?

Jan. 19: Cleveland at L.A. Lakers (TNT)
Can't do one of these schedule columns without the obligatory LeBron versus Kobe reference.

It's part of a Martin Luther King Day tripleheader which also features Detroit at Memphis and Phoenix at Boston.

Jan. 25: L.A. Clippers at Golden State
We believe Baron Davis will get a warm reception from Warriors fans who will never forget how much he did to help Golden State halt a 12-season playoff drought.

We also believe that you'll enjoy the first ABC Sunday doubleheader of the season: Dallas at Boston, then Spurs at Lakers.

Jan. 28: Golden State at Dallas (ESPN)
It sure would inflate the tension nicely -- assuming that's possible with these two -- if Warriors coach Don Nelson hasn't yet collected his $6.3 million in deferred compensation from his old boss Cuban by the time this game rolls around.

Feb. 2: L.A. Lakers at New York
It's not just Mike D'Antoni versus Phil Jackson any more. It's D'Antoni versus Jackson with D'Antoni coaching the Zen Master's beloved Knicks.

Feb. 3: Milwaukee at New Jersey
After nearly seven seasons on the end of Jason Kidd's passes, Richard Jefferson will be in the visitors' colors for the first time at Continental Airlines Arena.

Feb. 5: L.A. Lakers at Boston (TNT)
The season's second NBA Finals rematch, which comes with the added bonus of knowing that Paul Pierce's recent comments about being the best player in the game will be brought up incessantly whenever he and Kobe are in the same zip code.

Feb. 6: Portland at Oklahoma City
Kevin Durant versus Greg Oden for the first time as pros. We hope.

Feb. 11: Oklahoma City at Portland
Durant versus Oden is still a rivalry even if the geography has changed drastically. Right?

You have to believe some Sonics fans will make the drive from Seattle to chime in on this one.

Feb. 14: Valentine's Day
What's the over-under on how many times TNT shows the Charles Barkley-Dick Bavetta kiss on this particular All-Star Saturday Night?



[+] EnlargeJesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

Steve Nash and the Suns will play host to the 2009 All-Star Game in Phoenix on February 15.
Feb. 15: All-Star Game
In gorgeous-in-February Phoenix, no less.

Feb. 17: New Jersey at Houston
Yi vs. Yao, Round 2.

Feb. 18: Denver at Philadelphia (ESPN)
The first game out of the All-Star break will be an interesting one for Allen Iverson whether or not he's an All-Star, since he'll be going back for his first glimpse of what the Elton Brand era looks like in Philly.

March 3: Memphis at L.A. Lakers
The Gasol angle(s) fade to the background when the Grizz are the road team, because that means Mayo is back in town. It's such a big deal, apparently, that Staples Center has booked Mayo for two straight nights, with Baron's Clippers awaiting on March 4 after this encounter with Kobe's Lakers.

March 4: Phoenix at Miami
Some 13 months after he was dealt to the desert in a deal that's still a little hard to believe, Shaq is back.

March 14: L.A. Clippers at Denver
The Nuggets play at the Clip Joint twice in the first month of the season, but Marcus Camby has to wait more than 60 games before going back to Denver for the first time since the salary-dumping trade that made him a Clipper ... and which made Camby furious.

March 17: Boston at Chicago
After all those years of trade speculation, Bulls fans undoubtedly still dream of having KG on an everyday basis. Just seeing him on St. Patrick's Day doesn't cut it.



April 1: Houston at Phoenix (ESPN)
No joke: Yao and Shaq are hooking up on April Fools' Day.

April 9: Houston at Sacramento
If the reality of the Artest trade hasn't sunk in yet for the Kings' loyal subjects, it certainly will by the time Artest finally makes it back to Arco Arena, which won't happen until the 78th game on Sacramento's schedule.

April 15: Regular season ends
Twenty-eight teams will be in action on the final night of the schedule -- all but the Jazz and Lakers -- but I suppose the fact that taxes are due might be more important to some people.

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here.

[chrisattsu]

OMG! We will be in Phoenix for X-mas!! I finally get to see the Spurs in person! I'm stoked!

Chances are looking good that I might be there as well. That would be AWESOME!

[rAm]

DAMN, march looks brutal again.

The league enjoyed the results of last year's playoffs so much that they wanted to have it repeated.

[duncan228]

The league is mentioning us, we've got 2 pics in the top games to watch photo section. Two out of 15. Not bad.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/0708suns2.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/0708suns.jpg

[FromWayDowntown]

The league is mentioning us, we've got 2 pics in the top games to watch photo section. Two out of 15. Not bad.

What is bad is the way that the league's website begins the season with the following gem about the Spurs and Suns:

Remember that double-overtime classic between the Suns and Spurs during the opening weekend of last season's playoffs? Is it too much for a basketball fan to ask for Tim Duncan to hit a clutch, late-game 3-pointer again? Both of these teams are aging and it will be worth watching to see if the window is closing on their championship contention.

[duncan228]

What is bad is the way that the league's website begins the season with the following gem about the Spurs and Suns:

Remember that double-overtime classic between the Suns and Spurs during the opening weekend of last season's playoffs? Is it too much for a basketball fan to ask for Tim Duncan to hit a clutch, late-game 3-pointer again? Both of these teams are aging and it will be worth watching to see if the window is closing on their championship contention.

But I'm used to that kind of attention FWD. It's the positive press that surprises me. :lol

[DPG21920]

Lakers have 25:toast

They also have a nightmare before Christmas!

[T Park]

Awww, not only have the Spurs ruined Suns and Suns fan's summers.

Now it will stretch to Christmas day.


It'll be a loss though, Duncan and others don't have that pep in the step on Christmas day.

Can't say I blame em. Playing on Christmas day is BS and bogus.

[timaios]

Awww, not only have the Spurs ruined Suns and Suns fan's summers.

Now it will stretch to Christmas day.


It'll be a loss though, Duncan and others don't have that pep in the step on Christmas day.

Can't say I blame em. Playing on Christmas day is BS and bogus.

Spurs will give them hope in regular season, Suns will win 3 of the 4 games...
Then the playoffs... :ihit oops, Spurs will do it again !

:flag::flag::flag:

[BOHOLANO#21]

You will go down bitches....

The Chritsmas game is ours!!!
yup. the SUNS always wins the regular season but our spurs just love to kick your dumb ass team in the playoffs:lol how do you like that:rollin

[duncan228]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_will_open_season_against_Suns.html

Spurs will open season against Suns
Jeff McDonald

The NBA released its league-wide schedule Wednesday, unveiling a Spurs slate that features a season-opening visit from the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 29, a rematch in the desert on Christmas Day and what should be a tenderizing midseason stretch in which they will play 17 of 23 games away from home.

Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Nash will come to the AT&T Center to help the Spurs open their 2008-09 season in October. Chris Paul and David West will be on hand for the season finale in April.

In between, it should be a wild ride for the Spurs, replete with the usual doses of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett.

The Spurs close the season with an April 15 home game against the defending Southwestern Division New Orleans Hornets, a tilt that could be decisive in this year's race as well.

Other keynote games include:

• A Jan. 14 visit from Bryant, the league's reigning MVP, and the Lakers, the team that doused the Spurs' hopes of repeating as NBA champions in last season's Western Conference finals. Eleven days later, on Jan. 25, the Spurs face the Lakers in Los Angeles for the first time since their Game 5 loss in the conference finals.

• A Feb. 8 game at Boston, which will mark the first matchup of the year between the league's past two champions. The Celtics return the favor with a March 20 game at the AT&T Center.

• James comes to town with his Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 27, the last of only three home games the Spurs will play in February. It is part of a stretch in which the Spurs will spend all but six of 23 games away from the AT&T Center, a span of wanderlust that begins with a Jan. 16 game at new-look Philadelphia and concludes March 4 at intrastate rival Dallas.

• The Spurs' annual rodeo road trip is an eight-gamer this season, starting on one coast and ending on the other. It opens Feb. 2 at Golden State, after which the Spurs play at Denver, Boston, New Jersey, Toronto, New York and Detroit, before closing Feb. 21 at Washington.

[SequSpur]

lottery bound.

[your_pimp]

lottery bound.


Yep!

[milkyway21]

I'm glad and sad at the same time

the Spurs vs Suns on Christmas is :hungry:

but, I was looking forward to a Spurs vs Celtics opener the next season, imagining how it will be inspiring for us to face the 2008 Champions and beat them on their ring ceremony.

Kind of like the idea of seeing Ray Allen's special night w/ a sour face, you know :lol

[timtonymanu]

i had a feeling the Spurs first game would be against the Suns. honestly this is a tough schedule. i guess Stern really wants us out of the playoffs, but it won't work. Sorry Stern!