Save the date(s)

Since the NBA started Tuesday and since the NBA will consume the rest of my junior year here at IU, I decided to share with you a few important dates on my NBA calendar and why you should watch them. Make sure to remember these dates:\nOct. 30, Portland at San Antonio: At about 8 p.m., the NBA tipped off in San Antonio. At about 8:03 p.m., the first official Tim Donaghy joke was made.\nNov. 2, Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix: The greatest matchup to watch. The games are always exciting. Of course, you can scratch this game off if Kobe is traded before it.\nNov. 8, Dallas at Golden State: After Dallas blew the first round matchup during last year’s playoffs, look for them to come back for some revenge. \nNov. 20, Golden State at New York: If there is going to be a brawl this season, it will likely be during this matchup. I have no doubt that these two teams will play one of the dirtiest games ever seen on TV. At least we will get hours of SportsCenter breaking down each and every moment of the fight.\nNov. 28, Golden State at Sacramento: Ron Artest meets Stephen Jackson. The game will be awful, but watching those two interact is always amusing. Also, the local Sacramento strip club better beef up security that weekend because those two have a history together.\nDec. 17, Phoenix at San Antonio: After last season’s letdown by the Suns in the Western Conference Finals, expect an exciting matchup. Of course, this is all dependent on whether Steve Nash’s back is still functioning at this point.\nDec. 25, three great games: IT’S CHRISTMAS. And Santa brought us three great games: Miami at Cleveland, Phoenix at Los Angeles and Seattle at Portland. The last game should be amazing … oh wait. Greg Oden isn’t playing so that Durant vs. Oden showdown isn’t happening. Maybe next year.\nDec. 28, Indiana at Detroit: Even years after the Malice at the Palace, the game is still hyped beyond belief. The Pacers may not have the majority of the players that went into the stands, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Piston fans are dirty, awful people (and I mean that in the nicest of ways). I have hope that Detroit will change as a community since my friends who are from there are good people and don’t throw beer at an angry, psycho athlete. Of course after watching the movie “8 Mile,” I lost all that hope.\nFeb. 8, Boston at Minnesota: This will be Kevin Garnett’s return to Minnesota for the first time since he was traded to Boston, which will dominate the headlines. A side story will be Antoine Walker playing against Boston again. Of course, this could all change if Walker can figure out how to become a Celtic for the third time once he realizes his career is nothing without a good player counterbalancing his awful shot selection.\nMarch 5, Indiana at Houston: This is my 21st birthday. You shouldn’t watch this game. Instead, come out to the bars with me.\nMarch 19, Denver at Philadelphia: Allen Iverson returns home. At this point, we can assume that the 76ers are going to be fighting for a better draft pick so look for them to tank the game and help Denver fight for a better playoff position.\nIf you don’t trust my judgment on these games then here’s my only other advice: Watch all the TNT games because anytime you get to listen to Charles Barkley, it’s worth the time.