Mavs fans have what they’ve been waiting for: The date of DeAndre Jordan’s visit to American Airlines Center.
Circle Nov. 11 on your calendar.
As the NBA 2016 schedule was released Wednesday, the crafters had a sense of humor with the Mavs.
Dallas’ first two games are against the teams that have two centers they covet. The Mavs open at the Suns and Tyson Chandler on Oct. 28, then travel to play the Clippers and Jordan the following night, Oct. 29.
Jordan, who reneged on an oral agreement to join the Mavs in July, will certainly bring out the most robust boo-birds in franchise history for his pre-Thanksgiving visit. Chandler, who left only after the Mavs discarded him when they thought they had landed Jordan, will likely get a much warmer welcome when he returns to Dallas Dec. 14.
Other home-game highlights for the Mavs include the opener Nov. 3 against the Raptors, LeBron James’ lone visit Jan. 12 and the potential last visits to Dallas for aging veterans Tim Duncan (April 13) and Kobe Bryant (Nov. 13).
Oh, and speaking of rude welcomes, Rajon Rondo and the Kings visit AAC Jan. 5.
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The schedule is a beast for the Mavs, with four of their first five and 14 of their first 22 on the road, including a brutal three-games-in-four nights against West powers San Antonio, Memphis and Oklahoma City.
Considering their schedule and lack of depth, some of us are nervous the Mavs might be buried by Christmas.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
