Oct. 27, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas -- As the NBA regular season commences on Tuesday, eight former University of Texas basketball standouts will be competing in the league and three can be seen in nationally televised games during the opening week.
The NBA's 2008-09 campaign begins on Tuesday with three games, including two games to be televised on TNT, both featuring Texas Exes. The opener features Daniel Gibson's Cleveland Cavaliers against the defending world champion Boston Celtics at 7 p.m. Central. The nightcap offers up Chris Mihm's Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Portland Trail Blazers, featuring LaMarcus Aldridge at 9:30 p.m. Central.
On Wednesday night, Mihm and the Lakers play their City of Angels rivals the Clippers at 9:30 p.m. Central on ESPN.
Aldridge also has a second national TV appearance slated for the week when the Trail Blazers host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday at 9:30 p.m. Central on ESPN.
Gibson starts his third year with the Cleveland as one of the Cavaliers' top three-point threats. Gibson shot .440 from beyond the arc and averaged 10.4 points per game last season.
After a season that was marred by injuries, Mihm is back with the Lakers for a fourth year and his eighth season overall. Mihm is hoping to earn back a starting spot at center after playing in just 23 games last season.
Aldridge enters his third year with the Trail Blazers after a strong sophomore season in which he averaged 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
D.J. Augustin, the ninth overall pick by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2008 NBA Draft, averaged 8.4 points and 3.9 assists during the preseason. The former All-American and Bob Cousy Award winner figures to play a large role in the point guard rotation for the Bobcats.
Kevin Durant averaged 20.3 points per game en route to earning T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year accolades last season with the Seattle SuperSonics. This year, he will be donning a different jersey as the Sonics have been re-released as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After being traded to the Indiana Pacers during the off-season, T.J. Ford starts his fifth year overall in the NBA. Previously with the Toronto Raptors, Ford averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 assists in 2007-08.
Entering his fifth year in the league, Royal Ivey makes his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers when they host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Last season, Ivey averaged 5.6 points and 2.1 assists per game with the Milwaukee Bucks.
During the off-season, Maurice Evans signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Previously with the Orlando Magic, Evans averaged 9.3 points last year in his fifth season in the NBA.
HORNS IN ACTION THIS WEEK
Tuesday, October 28
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics, TNT - 7 p.m.
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers, TNT - 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29
Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic - 6 p.m.
Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers - 6 p.m.
Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons - 7 p.m.
Milwaukee Bucks at Oklahoma City Thunder - 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN - 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 30
Charlotte Bobcats at Cleveland Cavaliers - 6 p.m.
Friday, October 31
New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers - 6 p.m.
San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers, ESPN - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 1
Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks - 6 p.m.
Miami Heat at Charlotte Bobcats - 6 p.m.
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers - 6 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers at New Orleans Hornets - 7 p.m.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets - 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets - 8 p.m.
Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns - 9 p.m.
Sunday, November 2
Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder - 6 p.m.
Monday, November 3
Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Bobcats - 6 p.m.
Sacramento Kings at Philadelphia 76ers - 6 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Dallas Mavericks - 7:30 p.m.
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