Tuesday saw the release of the NBA’s slate nationally televised game schedule. opening week and Christmas Day
Champion defending Milwaukee BucksOn Oct. 19, the 2021-22 seasons will be launched by the Hosting the Brooklyn NetsThey also sent home Corey in Game 7 of an overtime drama to reach the NBA Finals. Russell WestbrookHe will make it his own. Los Angeles LakersAs the Lakers’ host, debut Golden State WarriorsOpening night to be closed.
Christmas Day will highlight the top trios and most prominent names in the league.
At noon ET, the action begins Trae YoungAnd the Atlanta HawksYoung was able to end the revival at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks“Season in the First Round of the Playoffs with a bow
Lakers and Nets: The two teams installed as betting favorites to win the titleOn Christmas Eve, they will be battling it out at Staples Centre. LeBron JamesThis offseason, the’Lakers have retooled and added Westbrook to their roster Carmelo AnthonyBrooklyn’s three-man team of Kevin Durant James Harden Kyrie Irving
It’s worth watching which player make his debut with the new team. What matchups are the most memorable? The most important questions regarding the NBA’s upcoming schedule are answered by our insiders.
READ MORE 2021-22 NBA schedule
1. 1. Which game of the opening week are you excited about?
Tim MacMahon:You can’t find a better way to welcome the Nets and Bucks to Milwaukee in the season opener. The match isn’t just about a replay of one the most exciting playoff series of recent memory. The Nets are also seeing it for the first time. Giannis AntetokounmpoHe took some pretty thinly disguised shots at them in the championship celebration. However, he also made it a point to discuss how easy it was to win a Title by getting on board a Superteam Bandwagon.
André Snellings:Nets-Bucks is the best way to begin the season, as it pits last year’s champions against the team most likely to win. ThisThe season. There’s also the personal flavor, as the Bucks beat the Nets in seven games to win the title. Many believe that the Nets could have won the championship if they were healthy. This is a brand new rivalry where each side has something to prove.
Kevin Pelton:Warriors-Lakers, because I have most questions regarding how these two teams will handle their offseason moves. Unfortunately, Klay ThompsonAlthough he won’t be returning for Opening Night, he is still the largest Golden State acquisition. However, the Warriors will be adding Nemanja Bjelica Andre Iguodala Otto Porter Jr The bench. After trading Westbrook for veteran players, the Lakers will be able to see a new lineup.
Christmas was here early?? pic.twitter.com/zrTrKe2yTz
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 17, 2021
Marc J. SpearsWarriors-Lakers. Klay Thompson could play again after having ACL surgery in 2019. Russell Westbrook and Russell Westbrook are expected to be home for the Lakers’ debut of their big three. The NBA has two possible Western Conference Finalists facing off at Staples Center, and I think it’s the best opening-night matchup they could choose.
Nick Friedell:Suns-Lakers is something I am looking forward to. Because of the many interesting players on their roster, the Lakers will be a long-running soap opera. However, they must also feel that they owe Suns for how the playoffs ended. Phoenix can send Staples a opening message. It’s unlikely, though it would be interesting to see.
How Chris Paul’s return shifts the Suns’ road map
0:50
Kemba Walker expresses his excitement at joining the Knicks, and jokes about whether or not he will be playing in consecutive games.
2. This is the must-see debut of a player with his new team.
Pelton: Würde it be wrong for me to suggest? Ben SimmonsIf he is traded in the meantime? Kemba WalkerComing up against the Boston CelticsHe will make a great story line for the New York Knicks, months after he was traded. matches up against fellow free agent Dennis Schroder
Friedell:It’s what I long to do. Kemba in New YorkIt is. It’s clear that he will enjoy being a head coach Tom Thibodeau’s player and that he will love the Madison Square Garden stage each night.
Spears Russell Westbrook will make his debut with the Lakers. Westbrook is the hardest player and has more energy than anyone. Now think about how much more firepower and swag he can bring with the addition of the name of his hometown printed on his jersey. The curiosity is heightened by the possibility of Westbrook coexisting with LeBron James. Anthony DavisThank you. It will be a joy to witness Westbrook’s philanthropic spirit in Los Angeles, both on the court and off. The hometown boy will be loved by Lakers fans from the first time he takes to the court.
Snellings:Russell Westbrook is making his Lakers debut. This could be a significant moment in the Lakers’ history. LeBron James is a great player, but he has never been matched with a former MVP like Westbrook. It will be interesting to watch the Lakers create their new dynamic with three superstars who are both extremely talented. LeBron is still the king. Is he able to share the throne with Westbrook (and the ball?)? What role does Anthony Davis, a healthy man, play in this?
MacMahonRockets rookie, I will. Jalen GreenHe is a remarkable combination of skill, athleticism and moxie. His performance will rival that of Minnesota. Anthony EdwardsLast season was his last. He is the new face for the Rockets, as they rebuild. Houston isn’t going to be great this season. But, with Green leading the 21-and-under core, there are clear paths for the franchise back on track. Kevin Porter Jr
Five Ben Simmons trades we want to see
3. What Christmas Day matchup features the best story line?
SpearsNets-Lakers. This one will be my last. Since 2005 when Shaquille Oleal was back in action against Kobe Bryant’s Lakers, I don’t remember a Christmas Day match this thrilling. Miami Heat jersey. Big three vs. the big three — leave your worries behind and focus on this.
Snellings:The Nets-Lakers are unbeatable. Are there two teams with historic-level big threes in their lineups? LeBron vs. Durant in the race for consensus throne KD and Harden face off against Westbrook. Their former trio are now direct rivals for the title. LeBron vs. Kyrie again? There is more than one story line in this game. You might find four to five.
MacMahonThe Nets-Lakers team has the greatest star appeal. Westbrook vs. Durant is always a great opportunity for verbal fireworks. But I prefer Young’s return to Madison Square Garden. In the playoffs against Knicks, Young was a star performer in the NBA. He displayed a rare combination skill and talent. a sharp tongue and some serious moxieThis is. It is only fair to have him return on stage at MSG’s biggest show of the regular season.
Friedell: Warriors-Suns. It is always great to watch. Stephen CurryChris Paul and Thompson will face each other, but it is important that Thompson be back at the point. Thompson has been longing to be back on the ground and this Christmas stage gives him the perfect chance to show the country how amazing he is.
Pelton:Only one of the playoff matches is between the 5 games. That’s the first game between Knicks and Hawks. New York should find it interesting to face an Atlanta team, who they defeated in five of their opening rounds. upgraded the backcourtThis is. We’ll wait to see if Christmas Day’s crowd will be just as wild on Christmas Day as in the playoffs.
1:24
Jimmy Butler explained his decision not to renew with the Heat, and said he was excited to join the new players.
4. What team should not be playing Christmas Day?
Pelton:Miami was not in the top 10, after I added it. Kyle Lowry P.J. TuckerThis offseason. The Heat are a threat to Brooklyn, Milwaukee and the East if things work out well. They will be playing on Christmas Day with the three other teams in the conference. Miami will be making its only Christmas Day appearance since 2015, as it did last year.
Friedell:Miami. This team should be on the Christmas stage. Jimmy Butler Bam AdebayoThey have established a strong foundation, one which Lowry and Tucker will be able to build on. The Heat are healthy and have proven that they can rise to any challenge — it would be fun to see how far they have come in this moment.
Snellings:You have to believe it’s the 76ers. The 76ers were the Eastern Conference’s top seed last season, and they feature a charismatic star in their lineup. Joel EmbiidThe MVP votes went to a player named ‘Jacksonville,’ who was just second. The Knicks Hawks Celtics and Celtics teams are great with young players and enthusiastic fanbases. However, the Christmas Day show will be dominated by the 76ers, who dominated the conference during the regular season.
Spears LA Clippers. I would be very upset if the Clippers were my team. Last season, being a conference semifinalist and seeing their Staples Center neighbor play Christmas night on Christmas will hurt. In spite of Kawhi LeonardThis is the worst omission of Christmas Day that I’ve ever seen.
MacMahonWhile I understand that smaller teams might be less popular than those with the best player, it is not right for the MVP to be on TV on Christmas. While I love watching, Nikola JokicPlay, but it is difficult to present a compelling business case for his substitution. Denver NuggetsRegister for one of the scheduled teams.
Why Kyle Lowry is nearly a perfect fit on the Heat
5. FACT or Fiction: On Christmas Day, the Western Conference will be led by The Lakers.
MacMahonFiction. It is clear that Russell Westbrook will take some time for his teammates and him to get to know each other. LeBron James and his team have had similar starts to their ball-dominant stars guards. You can bet the Lakers will perform better than the Lakers in the second part of the season.
Pelton:Fiction. Fiction. While I believe the Lakers will win the West, there are two reasons why they may not be at the top of the conference standings. The field is more likely to win than any West team. As they integrate all of their pieces, it is possible that the Lakers will start slow. While they performed better than expected at Christmas 2019, the West’s leaders, I wouldn’t bet against them this season.
SpearsFiction. It is impossible for the chemistry between these new players to develop by Santa’s arrival. It is difficult to bring together Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Although this could happen in the second-half of the season it is likely that the Lakers will show most of their speed early.
Friedell:Fiction. Too many pieces are being added to make it seem like the roster will come together so fast. Russ will make it work for LeBron. However, even the best teams can take some time to get to their rhythms — particularly early in the season.
Snellings:It’s a fact. If the talent is healthy, this concentration should make it impossible for opponents to win every game. Although there may be growing pains, Westbrook should enable James and Davis both to play at a lower level while keeping the Lakers in the lead. After their seventh-place finish last season, which was marred by injuries, the Lakers will be eager to make a mark this season and prove their dominance in a competitive field.