Beginning with Day One of the NBA season, the spotlight will be on the Wizards -- um, on Michael Jordan -- pretty much every night. Of course, that should surprise nobody since MJ has been in the news the last few months as a retired athlete anyway.
A Wizards team that won 19 games a year ago, with precious few of them noteworthy for any reason, will have plenty of games to watch this season. However, as of now, most people won't get to see that many of them. So far NBC, TBS and TNT have scheduled a grand total of one Wiz game for national TV (Nov. 28), though we suspect the total will change.
But of the 82 games the Wiz are scheduled to play, here are some to watch specifically.
Oct. 30, at New York: Think the schedule maker had some idea Jordan would come back? It's no coincidence the Wizards aren't opening up in, say, Cleveland. In arguably the greatest arena in a place where MJ has had some of his most memorable games, Madison Square Garden will get things started. There's a TBS doubleheader that night featuring Iverson-Garnett and Rasheed-Shaq, but look for many sneak peaks on this one.
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WIZ ON SUNDAYS
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MJ is not scheduled for any NBC games, but that might change. Here are Washington's Sunday dates. Note that NBC's coverage begins Jan. 27:
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Nov. 4
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at Detroit
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Nov. 11
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vs. Seattle
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Dec. 16
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at Toronto
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Feb. 3
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vs. Indiana
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Feb. 24
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at Miami
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March 3
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vs. Orlando
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March 10
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at Boston
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March 24
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at Toronto
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March 31
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vs. Dallas
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April 14
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vs. Indiana
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Nov. 3, vs. Philadelphia: Um, there won't be any available tickets for this one either, officially MJ's first home game ever outside Chicago. Not only is this the most interesting home game in Wiz history, we'll get to see how much Michael wants to chase after the quickest guy around, Allen Iverson.
Nov. 28, at Philadelphia: The Wednesday after Thanksgiving is, so far, the only time you can definitely catch Michael, Jahidi, Courtney and co. since TNT threw the Wiz a bone. Now that decision looks kinda smart, eh?
Dec. 16, at Toronto: Oh, Canada, think the NBA world begins and ends with Vince Carter? Get a load of another North Carolina product, one who has won something. And unlike the big matchups with Philly, the Raptors' star will likely match up with MJ.
Jan. 4, vs. Chicago: When they made the schedule, a matchup of the East's two worst teams seemed like a dud. And while it still might be, Michael would surely like to embarrass the Bulls, even though there's nobody from his day on the team. Plus, rumors are that Ron Artest, a top defender, was the one MJ broke his ribs against this summer.
Jan. 19, at Chicago: Just an ordinary Saturday night? When MJ enters this building, he'll see his jersey hanging from the rafters. What kind of reception will he get from a town that must be crushed to see him in another uniform? Probably a nicer one than Jerry Krause will get on this night.
Feb. 12, at L.A. Lakers: Kobe Bryant and the two-time defending Lakers may not expect a tough game, but they'll be circling it on the calendar regardless. Bryant has made comments in the past that he's the next MJ in terms of his ability and marketability. Now we'll see them play each other.
Feb. 27, vs. Portland: We didn't pick this one for the big Jahidi White-Dale Davis matchup. It's time for Michael and his ol' pal Scottie Pippen to join hands and sign a song. Don't look for an Isiah-Magic kiss.
March 1, at Chicago: So what if we've been through this once already. Every time Michael comes home it will be a big event.
March 21, at Utah: Well, Bryon Russell is still around, so maybe he and MJ can re-enact what we all thought was the final shot of a great career. Jazz fans are classy, but even they probably have some anger at the guy who made sure Karl Malone and John Stockton never won a championship.
April 16, vs. New York: The final game of the regular season for the Wiz might actually have some playoff implications, don't laugh. For the Knicks, too. Hey, we've doubted Michael before, and other than a minor league curveball, what has he not been able to do?
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