The NBA 2016-17 schedule came out and every year fans highlight games on the calendar because a former player returns or a coach returns after being fired. These are the top 10 games you should highlight for this season.
10. Bucks at Cavaliers, December 21
The return of Matthew Dellavedova might not seem like a big deal, but you best believe it is! Every fan base loves the short white guy off the bench that plays like a crazed fan. Dellavedova captured the hearts of Cavalier fans when he had an outstanding 2015 playoffs. Even though the Cavs fell short that year Dellavedova became a hero. After winning a title this year Delly signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Cavalier fans were not happy. There won’t be a dry eye in Cleveland during the Delly tribute video.
9. Kings at Grizzlies, December 16
The Dave Joerger and Memphis Grizzlies divorce wasn’t pretty and the two parties first match-up will be interesting. Joerger and the Grizzlies front office did not get along, which led to Joerger looking for jobs while he was under contract with the Grizzlies. Eventually Memphis just let him go.
8. Nets at Knicks, November 9
Jeremy Lin began his career and Linsanity at the Garden vs the Nets. Now he’ll return to the Garden as a member of the cross town rival. It should a fun game and also interesting to see how the Garden crowd reacts to Lin, they have cheered him in the past but will that change now that he is a Net?
7. Mavericks at Warriors, November 9
NBA champions Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut will return to ORACLE Arena where they were key components to a championship team and a 73 win team. Last season Golden State rolled out the red carpet for David Lee’s return, what will they do for Barnes and Bogut? And how will the two react after being let go after winning 73 games?
6. Magic at Pacers, November 14
Frank Vogel was surprisingly let go this off-season by Larry Bird and the Pacers. Vogel made the Pacers relevant again. In 2013 they forced the Miami Heat to a Game 7. Vogel took a below average Pacers team to the playoffs this year and got them to a Game 7 vs the Toronto Raptors. The league was stunned when Vogel was let go. There must be bad blood between Vogel and Bird.
5. Hawks vs Rockets, November 5
The first time James Harden and Dwight Howard face off will be must watch basketball. The chemistry in Houston the last couple of years was awful and there seems to be a dislike between the two. Howard didn’t get the ball enough because Harden wasn’t a willing passer and Harden didn’t play much defense which didn’t make Dwight happy. Harden goes to the basket as much as anyone in the league will Howard take a shot at Harden in the first match-up?
4. Knicks at Bulls, November 4
Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah were two of the most loved Bulls since the turn of the century, Rose the hometown kid and Noah the fan favorite. They were beloved by Bull fans, but both joined the Knicks this off-season. They return to Chicago early in the season and both ought to get huge ovations.
3. Celtics at Hawks, January 13
Al Horford spent all nine years of his career with the Hawks, but this season he signed with the Boston Celtics. When Al Horford returns will fans in Atlanta care and show up? And if they show up will they remember what Horford’s dad said about them and boo? Also expect big games from Horford, the Hawks picked Howard over him and you can imagine that didn’t make Horford happy.
2. Warriors at Thunder, February 11
Well duh! Will time heal the wound between Thunder fans and Kevin Durant or will they boo him the entire game? probably the latter. Will Kevin Durant be able to handle the crowd noise and play well? Will Russell Westbrook destroy the earth? There will be so much drama and passion is this game it is truly the most watch game this year.
1. Bulls at Heat, November 10
The most shocking move this off-season was Dwyane Wade leaving the Heat and signing with the Bulls. It still feels weird to type that out. Wade had been growing frustrated with the Heat front office for years, every off-season they’ve asked Wade to take a pay cut and he has complied over the years but Wade had enough. Wade took meetings with multiple teams, but everyone thought it was just a negotiation tactic. But Wade singed with his hometown Bulls and now the return to South Beach will be must watch TV. Wade will try to stick it to Pat Riley and show he can still ball.
