It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The NBA is officially back. As opening nights typically go, the NBA decided to feature four of its most exiting teams to watch. Unfortunately for us fans, both games were hindered with injuries. Somehow, the Clippers still managed to pull off an opening night victory without their newly acquired star. This begs, the question, “are the clippers better without Paul George?”
Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) 102 vs 112 Los Angeles Clippers (1-0)
The absence of Lakers superstar Alex Caruso and having to travel on the road (on their first game) proved to be an unfair formula for the Lakers. Great teams win on the road. However, it is very difficult to do so when you are missing your franchise player. The Clippers are clearly better without Paul George as they are undefeated and ranked first in the Western Conference.
Depth matters in the NBA. The Clippers had four players double digits in scoring. The Lakers on the other hand, had none. All jokes aside, the Clippers are obviously not better without Paul George. However, they do have the abundance of role players to make up for his absence in the regular season. The Lakers are more likely to lose on nights where their stars do not deliver monster performances.
New Orleans Pelicans (0-1) 122 vs 130 Toronto Raptors (1-0)
The East still runs through the champs. Despite Aubrey Graham being absent from the ring ceremony, the Raptors were still able to follow up their celebration with an opening night victory over the Big Baller Brand Pelicans.
Déjà vu, the Pelicans did not maximize their usage of their dynamic point guard. Lonzo Ball was only granted 24 minutes of play. Should we remind the Pelicans how that played out for them when Rondo was granted low minutes?
Other major news around the association:
LeBron is wearing a headband. Zion is hurt. David Griffin does not blame his frame. Brandon Ingram is still not Kevin Durant. Some guy on the Pelicans named Nicolo Melli scored 14 points on 80% shooting from the three. Lonzo Ball is averaging a higher 3P% than Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Lowry, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Lou Williams, and surprisingly Dwight Howard.