Houston Rockets: The worst part of the 2017-18 season schedule

The Houston Rockets season is just around the corner with the release of the remainder of the NBA schedules and there’s certainly a part of it that I don’t like.

But let’s get down to it. The NBA has released the 2017-18 schedule in full and now us Houston Rockets fans are sitting down, scouring the schedule to find any inaccuracies and weaknesses. As you know, we want what’s best for our team and it’s our job to be the watchdogs to ensure that happens. Now it may not amount to much but at least we’re watching!

I tell you what — the schedule leaks aren’t as good as they were back in the past. Adam Silver has ensured those leaks are plugged up good with a tight seal so that none of the juicy stuff gets out until in due time. But, for the most part, the schedule is just as I expected with a bit of a twist to it.

Earlier today, the Houston Rockets made the announcement official:

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/897218058103738368

Now if that graphic doesn’t get your attention — Ryan Anderson‘s number has been hijacked by Chris Paul! — there’s some interesting tidbits about this schedule that we should partake in a discussion of. Now I kid about CP3 because we all know that there’s no question that his beloved No. 3 would belong to him.

But anyway, here’s the skinny:

Seasonal opener against the Golden State Warriors Tuesday, Oct. 17 and the home opener Saturday, Oct. 21 vs. Dallas Mavericks

28 nationally-televised games — 34 percent of the schedule — featured on TNT (12), ESPN (10), ABC (6), not including NBA TV because that number fluctuates depending on if fans vote for our games scheduled on Tuesday nights.

14 back-to-backs

Christmas Day match-up — Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder

And there you have it! Those are the key bullet points that I took out of this schedule release. I’m actually thrilled that the we’re facing the Warriors right off the bat so I know that our team will be working extra hard to ensure that they’re prepared. And opening up against the Mavs is a heady move to try to get us riled up for a rivalry once again.

But the Mavs have been pretty damn bad as of late so there’s little to no contest when we meet them. It’s not entirely their fault but when DeAndre Jordan decided not to sign and re-upped with the Los Angeles Clippers, it set them back because they had cleared the racks for him, otherwise they would’ve kept their talent and had some continuity.

The nationally-televised games are no surprise — the NBA wants, the fans want and the world wants to see how this team will stack up against the Warriors and how this dynamic back court of Paul and James Harden. We’re going to see firsthand how they handle the grind of an NBA schedule together.

More from House of Houston

The fact that we have two ball-dominant players parading back there will make for some intriguing undertones in terms of how that all seams up when things get rolling. Especially if somehow we’re still able to land Carmelo Anthony.

The 14 back-to-backs are average in comparison to the rest of the teams workload. The NBA was tried to build more rest into the schedule to discourage the resting of players and they’ve dropped the hammer making it known to any team that does this will suffer the consequences.

I’m actually for that move because fans spend a lot of money to go to games and when they find out their favorite player is sitting on the bench or waist deep in the locker room jacuzzi, it’s such a let-down invoking a reaction of wanting a full refund for the tickets they paid for. So we’ll see how that goes when the season starts.

Now here’s the worst part of the schedule. The Rockets will do battle on Christmas Day at 7 p.m. CST! Normally we’d applaud that but I’m not. You know why? My Houston Texans will also take the stage that same day at 3:30 p.m.

The games are spaced out apart enough but I’m having a bad feeling that I’m going to miss some of the Rockets game with my attendance at the Texans’ game likely. I shouldn’t have to be inconvenienced to watch my teams but it sounds like a hell of doubleheader to witness. It’s not the most horrible thing in world — I’ll certainly manage — but I just wished things were spaced apart.

Next: FIVE Early roster predictions for 2017-18

But all-in-all, it’s a good, challenging schedule to which I think we can reach the 50-win mark again this season or just a bit below it. I can’t wait until the start!

Go Rockets!

Home/Houston Rockets