NBA releases national network schedule

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LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh's debut as Miami teammates was really the only tip-off choice, and the Heat's 2010-11 tour gets started against the squad they're aiming for in the revved-up Eastern Conference. Count on the Boston Celtics gearing up for a rude welcome for the South Beach glamour boys in the first nationally-televised game of the season.

There were several options ripe with drama when it came to picking the Heat's first foe. Kobe Bryant and the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers would certainly have been up for the challenge. (More on Lakers-Heat later.) Imagine the fireworks in an interstate showdown with the Orlando Magic. (That's coming, too.) The Cleveland Cavaliers?

OK, that would have been cruel.

Instead, it's Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Co. in an early litmus test at the TD Garden for the NBA runner-ups and Pat Riley's hand-picked Super Friends. The Miami-Boston experience at 7:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 26 is the opening act for TNT's opening-night doubleheader, and the unveilings don't end in Beantown.

The Lakers begin their threepeat quest by breaking out their new rings in the nightcap at Staples Center against Houston. The last Tuesday night in October not only serves as the first official look at Bryant, Phil Jackson, Pau Gasol and the rest of the champs, but it also marks the return of Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming for the first time since the 2009 playoffs. Yao is on track for healthy return to prominence -- and Houston plans to do the same in the West -- after missing last season recovering from foot surgery.

Looks like I'll definitely be able to catch a few more Bulls games this year between ESPN Australian and One HD.

Here's to hoping the Rockets cause an upset to open their season. Aww, who am I kidding, is it even possible?

Nov. 2 TBD First Fan Night game

Fans vote online on which teams they want to see on that day

first game of the year i get to watch my celtics tear down the heat

First games mean nothing. First game of the Bulls for the 1997-98 season, they lost to Fatoine's Celtics. We all know how it turned out for both teams.

Oct. 29 10:30 p.m. ET Lakers at Suns
GO STEVE NASH!!!

First games mean nothing. First game of the Bulls for the 1997-98 season, they lost to Fatoine's Celtics. We all know how it turned out for both teams.

hey i know that but i just wanna hear all the crying after the heat are 0-1. plus the celtics will kncok them out of them playoffs i am sure of it

yeh i want to see them lose their 1st game too. if not the bulls, from the East i want to see the Celts make and win the finals. 3rd- the Cavs

i knew i liked you gordon

Uh-oh. Old man Sauru is hitting on air gordon.

I was really hoping the Timberwolves would have one. Shoot dang!

Coming Christmas day game of MIA vs LAL should be a good preview of the Finals to come. Another good game in Celtics VS Orlando, should also be a great game.

Coming Christmas day game of MIA vs LAL should be a good preview of the Finals to come.

The Lakers are playing the Heat on Christmas Day, not the Magic. Silly Zanshadow.

Speaking of Orlando Magic, I'm not really keen on their upcoming season. The bigs of Celtics and Heat should be able to contain Orlando's bigs to manageable numbers when the times comes. With Lewis being the blackhole(since he's the starting PF), I think we'll see a dejavu.

I am assuming they'll bring changes to the roster during the season, since they will need more than Gortat as a replacement.

Heat bigs?
Outside of Joel Anthony, the rest are just good for fouls. Bosh isn't really a defensive player, Ilgauskas is old and Dwight can probably look like The Dream against Z, same with Juwan Howard. Haslem's too small against Dwight or even Gortat. Pittman won't probably get much PT to be effective.
Magloire? Shavlik Randolph? LOL

Celtic bigs - Perk (when he comes back), Big Baby, Shaq, KG, the vagina that is Jermaine O'Neal who can be effective in short stretches.
Shaq maybe old too but we all know what he can do with that bulk of his.

Having plenty of bigs with experience will help. Not that they were good individually last season, but don't overlook the changed look of this team with different chemistry. It's obvious, Joel and Haslem will be more effective now and same probably will apply to other bigs as well.

It's obvious, Joel and Haslem will be more effective now and same probably will apply to other bigs as well.

Because...?

Chemistry? Outside of Haslem and the greatness that is Joel Anthony, it's the first time that their bigs will play together in the same system.

Same reason why Perks became overrated.

Reason like?

Who overrated Perkins?

People!

What did the "people" say that made Perkins over rated? What's that reason?

Can't pull explanations out of your ass, homer?

This is why I think most Heat fans are idiotic bandwagoners. You want to have a discussion and they offer nothing but repeat non-sensible talking points.

Not having to play outside of his ability, thus becoming more efficient.

Don't you call me a homer, ass-hooooooooooooo!

How does that translate to the Heat bigs?

(Here on out, I'll exclude the greatness that is Joel Anthony since it's pretty obvious he's good on what he does and his role, like Perkins)

Defense is not Bosh's ability, nor do Haslem. Z was pretty good a few years ago, I don't know now with his age and PT. Juwan - lol. Any of the Heat bigs whose ability is to play D? I'm ignoring the offensive end since the big 3 will take care of that. I'm focusing on defense, which is the starting point of this discussion anyway.

Haslem is a tough guy who won't back down and was a big part of Heat's success in D last season and the season before. With emphasis on D for the Bigs, I don't think Dwight(not known for offense anyways) will have an easy time inside. Yet to be seen and I acknowledge that this Heat team consists of more of offense looking roster, but I wouldn't underrate the Heat's bigs since we got plenty with quality as well.

See, it's not that hard to avoid talking points in a discussion and not make yourself look like a bandwagoning ass.