Five Under-the-Radar Games that You Must See in 2012-13

          After months of anticipation around the globe, the NBA schedule for next season was finally released today. You know what that means, dear reader! It’s time to take out the highlighter and mark your calendar for all the games you JUST CAN’T MISS. When compiling a list of such games, it is easy to get excited about Thunder vs. Heat or Celtics vs. Lakers. But to limit yourself to only big market teams and brand-name stars would demean what the NBA stands for. So, in your better interest, I have scoured the entire regular season television schedule and picked out a few games that you would be a fool (that’s right, A FOOL) to miss.

Philadelphia @ New Orleans: November 7th on ESPN

New Orleans Center Jason Smith plays against his former team in what should be a barn burner between two teams that can really put the ball in the basket.

Orlando @ Detroit: November 16^th on ESPN

Former Blue Devils Kyle Singler and J.J. Redick Duke it out (get it?) to see which unathletic white three-point shooter can be the unathletic-iest, whitest, and three-pointiest of them all.

New Orleans @ Charlotte: December 29^th on NBA TV

Al-Farouq Aminu and Bismack Biymbo take center stage in the battle for alliteration world domination. But will Desagana Diop emerge as the dark horse and steal the crown?

Dallas @ Golden State: January 31^st on TNT

Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson were teammates in New Jersey. But both have moved on to bigger and better (?) things. Now they face off in what should be a high-flying, aerial display between two athletes who definitely didn’t lose their hops years ago. Or anything like that.

Detroit @ Washington: February 27^th on ESPN

Okay, even I can’t feign interest in this one…