Enticing match-ups seize spotlight in NBA schedule
NEW YORK: When the NBA released its regular season and TV schedules for the 2019-20 season on Monday, there were some immediate match-ups worth noting that involve moving-on All-Stars like Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis.
Leonard, who helped the Toronto Raptors win an NBA title in June, is now with the Los Angeles Clippers, who will meet his former team in Toronto on Dec 11.
Davis, who moved from the New Orleans Pelicans to join LeBron James at the Los Angeles Lakers, goes back to the Big Easy to face No.1 draft pick Zion Williamson and Co on Nov 27, the same day the Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving goes back to Boston to meet his ex-Celtics teammates.
Other notables include the Houston Rockets’ Russell Westbrook returning to face his former Thunder teammates in Oklahoma City on Jan 9 after previously playing them in Houston on Oct 28, and new Clippers forward Paul George also returning to Oklahoma City on Dec 22.
Also, Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley plays in Memphis for the first time as a visitor on Nov 15, and Boston guard Kemba Walker makes his return to Charlotte on Nov 7.
There are many other highlights with the NBA schedule, in its 74th regular season that tips off on Oct 22 and ends on April 15.
Opening night includes a doubleheader with the Pelicans at the Raptors on ring night, and what promises to be the beginning of a more heated rivalry when the Lakers and Clippers meet in the battle for Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, the NCAA amended its new agent certification requirements on Monday, dropping a controversial demand that those seeking to represent student-athletes have a bachelor’s degree.
The governing body of US collegiate sports was widely criticised for the college degree requirement announced last week.
It was swiftly dubbed the “Rich Paul Rule” in reference to the agent of NBA superstar LeBron James, who doesn’t have a college degree.