Blazers to Start Season at Seattle
posted: 8/1/2006 at 10:21 PM
Some rough drafts of the NBA schedule were making their way around the office last week, and now, the 2006-07 season schedule has been released. It's basically the same schedule we got a sneak peak at last week, only a few times have changed. Now the fun part. You can start going through, game by game, looking at key matchups and can truly get set for the regular season.
Like last season, the Blazers will open on the road. Last year it was at Minnesota and Denver, and this season the team will open the regular season at Seattle on November 1st, and then we'll fly to Oakland for anothe road game two days later against the Golden State Warriors. The home opener will be on Saturday night, November 4th, when the Blazers take on Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers are always one of the biggest draws and this season we don't have to wait long for a Portland / L.A. matchup. The first one takes place on November 8th, and it'll be at the Rose Garden. That follows a game in L.A., but against the Clippers, on the 6th.
When you spend six months on the road with an NBA team, like I do, you tend to look at the schedule a little differently perhaps. I immediately look at things like holidays, anniversaries, and lengthy road trips. When will we be home, when will we be away, and will I miss the birth of our second child? It can be a little strange, having to pattern your life around the NBA schedule, but it's also exciting.
Yes, I'll be in town for the schedule birth of our daughter on November 10th, in case you're interested. There are benefits to c-sections, and this is one of them (my wife can fill you in on why they aren't so much fun). I'll introduce myself to her, and then a few days later hit the road for a 4-game eastern road trip. This is where grandparents come in handy. At least I won't feel like a total heel for leaving so soon after the birth (I'm keeping my wife away from today's blog, because this is probably all a little too personal.) I'm just trying to give you an idea of what the release of the schedule means to all of us so close to the business. Now, we can start planning
our lives.
For the first time in three years I'll actually get to spend Thanksgiving with my family. We've been in Dallas, and Orlando the last two years. Last season we were home on Christmas Eve, but then had to fly to Sacramento on Christmas Day. This season is pretty much the same, as we'll be flying to Phoenix on Christmas Day for a game on the 26th against the Suns. Wives also ask questions like "are you going to be home for Valentine's Day?" I was able to answer "yes dear," but didn't explain that I'll be home very, very, very, late that night, as we play at Orlando that night, and then make the long flight home. Technically, I guess, I won't be home until the 15th. But, it'll feel like the 14th. At least that's the story I'm going with.
December will see the Blazers taking their longest road trip of the season. It's a 6-game journey to Detroit, Milwaukee, Indiana, Toronto, Philadelphia, and Memphis. We had a 7-game trip last season, and those are not much fun.
The schedule has that long 6-game trip on it, and only three 4-game trips, so that's not too bad. The Blazers will play their most home games, nine, in the months of January and March. The biggest months for road games are November and December, when they play 8 road games in each. The busiest day of the week for home games will be Wednesday, when 12 games are scheduled. There are 8 games scheduled for Sundays, and 7 on Friday nights.
Last season we had an 8-game homestand, the longest in team history. This season the longest homestand will be four games, and there are two of those. There are four 3-game homestands on the schedule.
There are always the dreaded back-to-backs on a schedule. This season the Blazers will be playing on back-to-back nights 19 times. The toughest back-to-back situation in my opinion? Probably January 9th and 10th, when the Blazers take on San Antonio, and then Dallas, both on the road.
Speaking of San Antonio and Dallas, last April we were faced with the "Texas Triangle," games against the Spurs, Rockets, and Mavericks, in a row. Same deal this season. That trip begins April 6th at Houston, and on the next night we play in Dallas. One day off in San Antonio, and then a game on the 9th against the Spurs.
I always look at the homestretch as well, and this year it isn't too awfully bad. Following the Texas trip, which is bad, the Blazers have Houston at home on April 11th, and then play at the Clippers, home against Seattle, at Utah, and then finish the regular season at Golden State on April 18th.
For the Trail Blazers' entire schedule,
click here.
Now, you can start planning
your life.
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Mike, is it true the Blazers have no games on national TV (not counting NBA TV or local chanells)
Wow, we play Dallas in Dallas twice on night two of two back-to-backs? That's gonna be fun...
mike, what do we have to do in order to trade Miles? He doesnt do anything.works hard if he wants to. He walks up and down the court, sucks at shooting and cant make a free throw.he's like 6'10" and sits out at the 3 point line and watches the play, attack the hoop, rebound, RUN do something!! he might as well sit with the fans. What do we have to do to trade him?
Will most all games be on either FSN or KGW? When will that be known?
Kertes,
We are currently working on the TV schedule. That will be out soon. But, yes, our broadcast partners remain the same, KGW and FSN. I'll get you the schedule once it's finished and approved by the league.
MB
3 games in LA vs lakers 1 at home? why?
I was thinking maybe that with our new direction and Identity of the team they could stop playing the Addam's Family theme at home games. I think it's lame. Honestly. Thank You.
CL
SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike- Am I missing something or have ESPN and CCN not broadcast any announcement of Jaamal coming to Portland? I have been watching the ticker and I have not seen a word. I am more suprised than draft night when Steven A. Smith kept insisting that Portland had "no agenda or direction." It will be great fun to prove to these guys that the Blazers are back. The first time we go two or thre victories in a row Steven A will be jumping on the Blazer wagon. Best to all
No statements or blog after the recent developments, huh? Wow, the secrecy with which this franchise is run, at many times, is childish and cowardly. I pay attention to many teams in the league, and i simply find some of the conduct of keeping things hush-hush here quite laughable. I didn't know how ridiculous it was until i was able to compare.
If i could choose any owner in the league as the owner of the franchise i love, i would choose Paul Allen. He is an incredibly passionate owner with more financial resources than anyone else in the business and has never been affraid to use them.
All he has to do to get me to dance a jig, right now, is to say publicly that he is committed to the team and that he is committed to keeping the team in Portland. Lie to me, if need be, but to carry on this charade is ridiculous.
It isn't fair to the fans, Mike. Put up or shut up. If Allen wants to keep the uncertainty within his fans, i guess i, for one, will have to be uncertain about showing up at any home games. You can't ask fans to get excited about a team who's owner is seemingly playing games with its future. For some reason, i sincerely doubt this will get posted.
we will have a great year with everyone healthy go blazers
Some people still have thanks for our owner Paul Allen. I really dont care what the media says, Allen has done fine job of doing what needs to be done. I just pray we can keep the team where it belongs, in P-Town. I reespect Mr.Allen for all of his hard work and it truly shows that no matter what anyone thinks, he is a true fan as well as President. Still I must say I will miss Steve BLAKE. I am ready to roll withan exciting season and hope to see as many home games as possible. BLESS OUR TEAM- the bLAZERS
Judging by the great read so cleverly crafted and well presented by goblazerstruefan, positive comments regarding Operation Keep Fans In The Dark must not be very abundant..............BTW, i had no idea Paul Allen was "President". Not only is he the sixth richest person in the world, but now also the leader of the free world? Wow! I guess i should have more "reespect" for him, too.
I don't know that the Blazers deserve a national TV spot right now. Hopefully they will play well enough that national TV comes calling.
Congrats Mike on the impending birth.
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