Fansided

NBA Schedule 2017-18: 5 games with the most revenge potential

By Philip Rossman-Reich

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 06: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Thunder 93-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 06: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Thunder 93-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The NBA schedule offers plenty of opportunities for players and teams to get their revenge. Here are the best games served cold.

The NBA released its 2017-18 schedule Monday, marking the official countdown to the 2018 season. The NBA schedule, unlike many other leagues, is fairly balanced with teams playing every other team in the league at least twice.

The NBA is also different for another kind of phenomenon — the revenge game.

Among the many NBA cultural zeitgeists, the revenge game is personal, visceral and expected. Every fan and observer can feel the vengeance in each shot, as players try to prove a former team wrong or just do something out of spite.

Everyone can argue Russell Westbrook’s superhuman 31.6 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game, 10.4 assists per game triple-double effort last season was just a string of 82 revenge games. Westbrook was just a tour de force, finding a slight and exploiting it. And then he seemed to take it up another level when he was in a big game or on national television.

The revenge game though is not just about Westbrook’s personal vendetta against everyone. There are players visiting a former team that failed to resign them. A chance for a player to prove and show the team that discarded them what they are missing.

There is so much shifting and movement in the NBA every offseason, there is bound to be someone left on the scrap heap who has a reason to be a little upset with a former team. Everyone wants to make the ex look bad and show them just how good they are doing in their new digs.

To be sure, there will be plenty of games that will fit the revenge game mode. There will be plenty of players looking to put up big performances as they battle their former teams.

Here are five of the biggest revenge games we are looking forward to this year.

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