soccer games today

Stay Updated with ESPN NBA Games Schedule for the 2023-24 Season

As I sit here scrolling through the latest ESPN NBA schedule for the 2023-24 season, I can't help but reflect on how crucial it is for fans like me to stay updated. I've been following the NBA for over a decade, and I've seen firsthand how missing a key game can leave you out of the loop in conversations with fellow enthusiasts. The schedule isn't just a list of dates; it's our roadmap to the entire season, packed with 82 regular-season games per team, starting October 24, 2023, and wrapping up in mid-April 2024. ESPN, as one of the primary broadcasters, offers a lineup that includes marquee matchups like the Christmas Day games and the All-Star break in February, which I always mark on my calendar. But beyond the excitement, I've noticed a gap in how we connect the dots between professional leagues and the grassroots level, something that reminds me of a thought-provoking quote I came across recently: "The missing links are our universities and colleges. That's where the sports value chain gets cut off." This idea resonates deeply with me because, in my experience, the NBA's polished schedule often overshadows the developmental pathways that feed into it.

When I think about the ESPN schedule, it's not just about catching games like the Lakers vs. Celtics on January 28, 2024, or tracking potential playoff contenders. It's about understanding the bigger picture of sports ecosystems. I remember attending a college game last year and being struck by the raw talent on display, yet how little coverage it gets compared to the NBA. According to some estimates I've seen, only about 1.2% of college basketball players make it to the NBA, which highlights a disconnect. Universities and colleges are where future stars are honed, but the value chain often breaks because the transition isn't seamless. For instance, ESPN's coverage focuses heavily on the pros, with over 100 nationally televised games this season, but they could do more to integrate college highlights or draft prospect updates. I've found that by following both levels, I get a richer appreciation of the game. Personally, I love how the schedule includes back-to-backs and prime-time slots, but I wish it linked more to the NCAA calendar, like March Madness, which feels like a separate universe even though it's a feeder system. This isn't just my opinion; I've spoken to other fans who feel the same, and it's a missed opportunity for building a more cohesive sports community.

In my view, the 2023-24 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with teams like the Denver Nuggets defending their title and rising stars like Victor Wembanyama making waves. ESPN's schedule, which I check regularly on their app, includes key dates like the trade deadline on February 8, 2024, and the playoffs kicking off in late April. But let's be real: without a strong foundation in colleges, the NBA's glamour can feel a bit hollow. I recall a conversation with a college coach who mentioned that many players struggle to adapt because the support systems aren't there post-graduation. That's where the value chain gets cut off, as the quote suggests. If we, as fans, only focus on the pro level, we're missing out on the stories that make sports so compelling. For example, I make it a point to watch a few college games each month, and it's helped me spot future NBA talent early. This season, I'm particularly excited about ESPN's doubleheaders on weekends, which often feature up to four games in a day, but I'd love to see them incorporate more cross-promotion with college sports. It's not just about filling airtime; it's about nurturing the entire pipeline.

Ultimately, staying updated with the ESPN NBA schedule is more than a habit for me—it's a way to engage with a sport I love, while also recognizing its flaws. The 2023-24 season promises thrilling moments, from the opening tip-off to the Finals in June, but let's not forget the roots. By bridging the gap between colleges and the pros, we can create a more vibrant sports culture. I encourage fellow fans to dive into the schedule, set reminders for must-see games, and maybe even explore a college matchup or two. After all, the future of the NBA depends on those missing links, and as someone who's been in the stands for years, I believe it's our role to support the whole journey. So, grab your calendar, check out ESPN's listings, and let's make this season one to remember, from the campus courts to the big arenas.

We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact.  We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.

Looking to the Future

By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing.  We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.

The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems.  We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care.  This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.

We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia.  Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.

Our Commitment

We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023.  We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.

Looking to the Future

By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:

– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover

– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover

– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover

– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover