The 2015-16 NBA schedule has finally been released.
The Golden State Warriors, if you haven’t heard, are champions of the NBA world. For the first time since 1975, the Warriors will be defending an NBA title and be the marquee matchup of most, if not all teams when they come to town. The schedule, as always, includes a ton of intriguing matchups, storylines and rivalries. It’s never too early to look ahead, so here are the ten best games of the 2015-16 schedule.
10/27: Welcome back Alvin Gentry
The NBA didn’t waste any time with showcasing two of the brightest superstars in the NBA: Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry will meet twice in the first three games of the season. The Warriors will welcome back their first round opponent from last season as well as former associate head coach Alvin Gentry, who will receive his championship ring along with the rest of the 2014-15 Warriors.
10/30: Can James Harden redeem himself?
James Harden had a fantastic season just one year ago, but the waning moments of the Western Conference Finals is the lasting image of what many considered an MVP-worthy season. In the final seconds of Game 2, Harden fumbled the ball in a game-winning situation. Game 5 saw Harden finish with 14 points on 2-for-11 shooting and 12 turnovers. He’ll want to leave Oracle on a better note than that.
11/4: They’re Baaaaaaaaaaaaack
A matchup with the rival Los Angeles Clippers needs little introduction, even after the emojified DeAndre Jordan debacle this summer. Doc Rivers, Chris Paul and the gang are back for another season full of flops, complaining and tension. Thankfully for the fans, it won’t take long for them to get it started.
11/20: The Warriors look for revenge
The Warriors only lost two games at home last season, the most notable being their overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls in late January. Derrick Rose hit a vintage step-back jumper with seconds remaining in OT to end the Warriors’ then 19-game home winning streak. A Friday night, ESPN broadcast only heightens the highly competitive matchup.
12/25: Christmas fit for a King
Matthew Dellavedova makes his highly anticipated return to Oracle Arena on Christmas Day. The Aussie will be joined by a reloaded – and hopefully healthy – Cavaliers team in a rematch of the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers are looking for revenge, and a healthy Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love was something the Warriors didn’t see on their way to the championship.
It isn’t the Clippers-Warriors grudge match like many had hoped, but LeBron James and Co. returning to Oakland isn’t a bad consolation. James loves playing in Oakland, and he’d love nothing more than to ruin the Bay Area’s holiday by giving the home team the loss. The 2PM PST start time ensures maximum viewership as well, so just a few eyes will be watching.
1/14: Kobe’s final game at Oracle Arena?
It’s unclear whether this will be Kobe Bryant’s last season playing basketball, but all signs as of now point to the affirmative. With this in mind – assuming health – Bryant’s last game at Oracle Arena will be in mid-January. Lakers fans are never shy with their fandom when their team comes to the Bay Area, and if Bryant is healthy for this game, expect a record amount of #24 jerseys in the crowd.
1/25: Welcome to the Rodeo
Rebuilding? San Antonio? Never. The Spurs, thought to finally be on the verge of depletion, decided to shock the NBA world again by signing forward LaMarcus Aldridge and veteran David West. If that wasn’t enough, they re-signed Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, the latter being at a discounted price.
This would be the first time both teams meet in the 2015-16 season, in what many consider to be a battle of the two best teams in the Western Conference. The Spurs have dominated the Warriors over the course of their history, but the series has remained competitive in recent years. Fasten your seatbelt.
2/6: Bring on the Thunder
The last time Kevin Durant graced Oracle Arena, the former MVP finished with 30 points on 10-of-13 shooting in 19 minutes. Durant stepped on the foot of Marreese Speights in the final seconds of the first half, plaguing his season and any chance his team had at winning an NBA championship.
Scott Brooks is out, Billy Donovan is in as Thunder head coach, with many expecting a revamped Oklahoma City offense. If healthy, the Thunder are one of the three best teams in the league. Can Donovan tweak his team enough to put them back in the Finals? Time will tell, but Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka are nice building blocks to have. Fireworks are inevitable.
3/11: Dame’s return to Oakland
Portland had possibly the worst offseason of any team in the league, who will sport a completely new starting lineup outside of point guard Damian Lillard. Wes Matthews, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez are all elsewhere, which diminishes what was a fun West Coast rivalry with the Warriors.
Regardless, Oakland’s own Lillard is always makes for a fun game at Oracle, who quite possibly receives the most cheers of any opposing player outside of Kobe Bryant. This isn’t a marquee game on paper anymore, but the Bay Area connection is strong and the point guard matchup is still alive and well.
4/1: The return of David Lee
April Fools’ Day brings back the former Golden State big man and first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell. Lee left on near perfect terms with the team, ending his up-and-down tenure with important minutes and a championship ring. Lee will get a standing ovation in his return, which will be broadcasted on ESPN.