looks like Cs will open in Miami

[Onslaught]

Why is it Boston never gets a home game for X-Mas?

[Donoghus]

Why is it Boston never gets a home game for X-Mas?

My guess has always been that its still considered a very puritanical city by American standards. (Whether that's still true is up for debate)  I don't think its necessarily a weather thing since the Knicks have played at home on Xmas.

My total speculation.

[wahz]

Are people really upset about this? Im pumped love starting the season with a bang.

Our opening night after we won was against the Cavs what's wrong with this?

someone else may have said this but yeah it is what it is. The only one who should be ashamed is Ray Allen as he stands with them while they get their rings

[dinome18]

Heat play at home against Ok City according to reports...christmas day

[P2]

That nutjob Stern is really trying to stick it to us by letting us watch them receive their rings. At least Jesus Traitorworth doesn't get one. But fourth time in a row LeBron in the first two games? That's just silly. I can't see that receding crab hairline anymore.

[Kay.B09]

That nutjob Stern is really trying to stick it to us by letting us watch them receive their rings. At least Jesus Traitorworth doesn't get one. But fourth time in a row LeBron in the first two games? That's just silly. I can't see that receding crab hairline anymore.

Just added motivation! I feel like what better way to start off the season, ya now. I actually don't think I can stomach watching the ring ceremony, but I'm watching every second of that game and I really hope the Cs are ready, fired up, motivated, and completely humiliate the Heat in front of their home crowd. What better way to make an opening statement?

[CelticSooner]

I wonder if/who we'll be playing on Christmas?

my question also...and why can't we ever play at home on Christmas...

my guess is either at NY or at LAL

I bet it's against the Lakers. Knicks/Nets will probably be another game that day.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO
NBA will release 2012-13 schedule later this week. Defending champion Heat open at home vs. Celtics (Oct. 30), Sun Sentinel reports.

Thanks, Stern. You're a real tool.

Why in the world wouldn't we want to play the Heat on national TV on opening night?  We've earned that right.  

Where you hoping that the league would schedule us to play all 82 games against the Bobcats, the Wizards, and the Raptor?

What's wrong with that?  Opening night is a pretty prestigious spot.  We have a rivalry with the Heat that was exacerbated by Ray Allen going over, and they get to be at home because they're the champs.

I'd much rather see this to open the season than say, home against Toronto or some such.

All about the $$$ and ratings baby.

I totally understand WHY the league is doing it—money, ratings, blahblahblah—and no, I wouldn't want opening night to be against a team such as Toronto, but really, to me this is Stern rubbing the ECF loss—and Miami's title—in our faces.

In my opinion, Stern dislikes the Celtics, at least in part because they don't have one of the league's DDs (Designated Darlings), and this is just the latest manifestation.

ANNOUNCER: Getting to watch the Heat get their rings while the almost-miracle-producing Celtics look on?

STERN: Priceless.

[fairweatherfan]

Why is it Boston never gets a home game for X-Mas?

My guess has always been that its still considered a very puritanical city by American standards. (Whether that's still true is up for debate)  I don't think its necessarily a weather thing since the Knicks have played at home on Xmas.

My total speculation.

My guess is celebrities - ABC/ESPN love to show famous people watching, and they've always got some cross-promotion with some dumb movie going, so they want to show/interview the star in the crowd to go along with that. 

It's a lot easier to get those types out in NY/LA, even Miami, than Boston.  And since we're prominent enough that we always wind up matched with one of those kinds of teams, on the road we go.

[Sketch5]

Could Doc have requested this? Like the Duck boat ride he did in '07?

What great motivation for the team. I bet most of these guys have never seen a ring ceremony. After the game win or loose Doc can use that as motivation, but add "Except you'll get your rings in front of  REAL fans".  

I think this and if they end up having their camp over seas like they did in '07 will be great for the team in the long run.

 

[Chris]

Huh?  This has nothing to do with punishing the C's.  This is about setting up a marquee matchup to open the season.  They do it every year with the champs.

[pp34isthe1]

Wonder if KG and Rondo will shake Rays hand pregame. I know Paul will but I have a pretty strong feeling Ray will have a few expletives and spit his way if he so much tries to talk to KG/Rondo.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Huh?  This has nothing to do with punishing the C's.  This is about setting up a marquee matchup to open the season.  They do it every year with the champs.

Wouldn't the biggest marquee matchup be the two NBA Finals teams from the year before? This has got Stern's anti-Celtics DNA all over it.

[Donoghus]

Huh?  This has nothing to do with punishing the C's.  This is about setting up a marquee matchup to open the season.  They do it every year with the champs.

Wouldn't the biggest marquee matchup be the two NBA Finals teams from the year before? This has got Stern's anti-Celtics DNA all over it.

You do that game on Christmas Day. 

You get a much bigger audience due to the holiday which means higher ratings and advertising dollars. 

[Celtics18]

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO
NBA will release 2012-13 schedule later this week. Defending champion Heat open at home vs. Celtics (Oct. 30), Sun Sentinel reports.

Thanks, Stern. You're a real tool.

Why in the world wouldn't we want to play the Heat on national TV on opening night?  We've earned that right.  

Where you hoping that the league would schedule us to play all 82 games against the Bobcats, the Wizards, and the Raptor?

What's wrong with that?  Opening night is a pretty prestigious spot.  We have a rivalry with the Heat that was exacerbated by Ray Allen going over, and they get to be at home because they're the champs.

I'd much rather see this to open the season than say, home against Toronto or some such.

All about the $$$ and ratings baby.

I totally understand WHY the league is doing it—money, ratings, blahblahblah—and no, I wouldn't want opening night to be against a team such as Toronto, but really, to me this is Stern rubbing the ECF loss—and Miami's title—in our faces.

In my opinion, Stern dislikes the Celtics, at least in part because they don't have one of the league's DDs (Designated Darlings), and this is just the latest manifestation.

ANNOUNCER: Getting to watch the Heat get their rings while the almost-miracle-producing Celtics look on?

STERN: Priceless.

I'm sorry I don't get it.  The Heat have to play someone on opening night, and as far as I'm concerned, it ought to be the Celtics.  We are their biggest rivals, and it should be a fun game for our fans, Heat fans, as well as NBA fans in general.

I'm no Stern fan, but this is a no brainer to me.

If we didn't get one of the marquee match ups on opening night, folks would probably be complaining about how Stern screwed us by treating us like a second class team.   

Whatever.  I'm pumped.  Let's get it on, Miami!!!