Hawks 2013-2014 Schedule Released by NBA

May 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry takes questions while introducing Mike Budenholzer as the new head coach during a press conference at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The revealing of the full NBA schedule is a minor holiday for fans of the association. After all, in the dregs of time between free agency and training camp, the NBA community is in desperate need of topics, and the opportunity to look forward at what’s to come brings energetic conversation.

The full schedule of the Hawks has been released as of Tuesday evening (click here for the full list), and there are a number of “mark your calendar” dates to consider as tip-off approaches. First, there is the obvious news of the season openers, with the Hawks taking on the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, October 30th in Dallas, and the team returning to Atlanta for the home opener on Friday, November 1st against the always-entertaining Toronto Raptors.

In addition, Josh Smith’s return to Atlanta (with the Pistons) can be circled on Wednesday, November 20th, and the Larry Drew/Zaza Pachulia duo will make their (only) return with the Bucks on Thursday, March 13th. As far as high-profile teams are concerned, the Hawks will host the Thunder (Dec. 10th) and Lakers (Dec. 16th) within a week of one another early in the season, and the back-to-back champion Miami Heat garner the coveted Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday spot with a 5:30 pm tip-off on January 20th.

We could go game-by-game through the schedule, but I’ll save the breath for now. One thing is for sure, however, and that is that the NBA season is on its way in full force.