The OtherArena

corrado · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2781 Location: LI

Now that the seasons over, one of the big questions is who'll get the cushy Christmas games.

I posted it here since its a certainty that the Lakers will be in one of the games. But will they face the Heat in a rematch from last Christmas.

Or will it be the champion Mavs. Who ended the Lakers season in infamous fashion.

It'll probably be Heat/Lakers. But I would put Mavs/Lakers as the main event. They could really build up what happened in the postseason and usually the Lakers face the champs or the Heat or a Lebron team, and I feel the Mavs fit the bill next year. If there is a season that is.

jdw · Site Admin Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 12687

As a refresher, here's last year's schedule:

Bulls at Knicks (ESPN)
Celtics at Orlando (ABC)
Heat at Lakers (ABC)
Nuggets at OKC (ESPN)
Trailbalzers vs Warriors (ESPN)

The Lakers and Heat are locks to be on ABC. They might play each othe again, or be split into two games.

Chicago, Boston, Dallas and the Knicks will be in either ABC or ESPN games... a lock that they'll be in one of the five four meaty games rather than the late night (POR vs GSW last time around). I'm thinking the Bulls may have pushed the Celts off the ABC schedule, and perhaps Dallas moves into the 4th ABC slot.

Most likely ABC:

1. LAL-MIA-CHI-DAL
2. LAL-MIA-CHI-BOS
3. LAL-MIA-CHI-NYK

If the Knicks swing something big, then they might bump either CHI or DAL.

Which ever of CHI, DAL, BOS and NYK that doesn't get on ABC will anchor the two ESPN games that wrap around the ABC ones.

My guess is that ORL (if they keep Howard) and OKC are the strongest candidates to round out the two other ESPN meaty game slots.

The Late Game... my guess is that the Clippers (i.e. Blake) will be in it. The league does often have the Lakers and Clipps playing on different days, but this might be one. If the Lakers are on the road, then the Clips are a reasonable Late Game host. It will likely be one of the West Coast teams: POR, GSW, Clips... Sacto is too far down the list.

As far as the match ups, it seems likely that we won't have LAL-DAL or MIA-CHI because those team play each other 4 times... you want a little cha-ching. So the Lakers will play either Miami or Chicago.

That all is barring someone like Chicago making a massive move, like trading Noah for Howard. Rose-Howard vs Bron-Wade is a Christmas Game.

John

jdw · Site Admin Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 12687

Thought I'd split this as a starting point for next season as the year is over. :)

John

JAG · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 1400

Lakers-Heat will be one of the games.

I'd guess OKC-Dallas as another game, with NY-Boston and Orlando-Clippers rounding it out.

Jagdip

jdw · Site Admin Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 12687

The Bulls were one of the 8 teams last year, getting the booking before going out and winning 60+ and getting to the Final Four. 3rd largest market in the country... they'll be one of the 8 teams before OKC and Orlando and the Clippers.

Seriously, the spot for the Clippers is anchoring the Late Game. It will have to start on the West Coast given the time slot: 10:30 pm EST. That's a 7:30 PM PST start time, which limits the "hosts" to:

Portland
Phoenix
Golden State
LA Clippers
Sacramento

Since the Lakers don't count (they'll be on ABC).

Don't you think the Clippers anchoring that slot draws more than any of those other anchors?

On top of that, the Clippers would love to play on Christmas.

John

Rian · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 1841

You guys are awfully optimistic that a season is going to happen. Just wait until the shit hits the fan after the draft.

corrado · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2781 Location: LI

I'll give it a go again. here's my Christmas schedule:

12:00 ESPN: Celts/Knicks. Knicks have gotten the Noon spot the past couple of years. Theyre still not ready for the cushiest spot. So they continue with the Noon tradition against the team that swept them last postseason.

3:00 ABC: Mavs/Bulls. Gotta put the Mavs up there. And why not against one of the best teams in the east.

5:30 ABC: Lakers/Heat. Pretty much a given.

8:00 ESPN: Grizz/Thunder. One of the best playoff series last year needs a big Christmas night showdown.

10:30: Warriors/Clips. Blake against Mark Jackson's crew.

JAG · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 1400

Dwight wheels are beginning to turn.

He reiterates that he won't sign extension and Orlando has one season to become a championship team. So, ESPN is devoting segments to whether he should be traded.

About where it should be a week before the draft.

Jagdip

jdw · Site Admin Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 12687

The piece was on the *NBA* website, with the times old Scott Howard-Cooper. :)

John

jdw · Site Admin Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 12687

The questions again become:

* can the Magic risk getting Lebron'd or even Melo'd

My thought is an obvious No.

No team is going to risk that again.

* who can offer the Magic something

We've gone through the teams before. Don't kno if anyone else has popped up. I don't know what in the heck the Mavs could offer, though I see them getting tossed around simply on the "Cuban could make something happen!" concept. I'm not buying that unless the package somehow gets the Magic some talent they want.

John

corrado · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2781 Location: LI

Parker on the block

That makes sense. Hill would be the full-time starter if that happens.

Rian · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 1841

He's been on the shitlist even before sleeping with Brent Barry's ex-wife. As for who the Spurs would like to pick up with the high draft picks, I'm thinking this person would be at least 6'10 if not a little taller. :)

JAG · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 1400

Doesn't Odom for Parker make a lot of sense for both sides?

Works straight up, too.

Jagdip

Rian · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 1841

Odom for a bag of basketballs maybe...throw in a basketball standard too.

corrado · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2781 Location: LI

Actually Hill is the one thats going to be traded now. To Indiana for Leonard.

Could be a backwards move for the Spurs.