NBA: Previewing 2014-15 Opening Night
By Shane Young
Tonight, millions of eyes will be glued to hardwood. Yes, that’s figuratively, silly.
The 2014-15 NBA campaign lets loose, with three matchups that seem fit to provide fans with the ultimate experience. No, there are no Cavaliers, Bulls, or Knicks on schedule for the debut of the new year, but those will all come the following day. That’s why the NBA is beautiful: You always have an eye-catching game, every night of the schedule, even if you’re not the biggest fan out there. It appeals to even the casual fan that just loves their superstars.
NBA Tuesday will feature five Western Conference units, and one Eastern Conference bottom-feeder. We’re ready to unwrap our presents, as are all of you. Who will improve in the win column tonight?
Orlando Magic at New Orleans Pelicans
8:00 PM ET — Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
While Anthony Davis has somehow grown from the sophomore sensation to an inhuman fantasy god, already believing he’s the third overall player in the league is taking a huge leap of faith. He’s set out to make an individual splash this season, trying to prove he has all parts of his game balanced, and auditioning for future franchises that want to throw dollar signs in his direction. On the other end of the spectrum, Davis is also trying to get the Pelicans organization to where they’ve been dying to reach: The postseason.
As we know, the Most Valuable Player award is always handed out to top tier players on top tier teams, and rarely finds the hands of players on non-playoff squads. Also, the Western Conference is a death trap, and the Pelicans only winning 40-45 games will knock Davis out of that discussion.
The best way to get off to a fabulous start is by obtaining a great home record to begin the season. For New Orleans, that journey begins on opening night, when Orlando comes to town.
With Victor Oladipo being sidelined (out indefinitely) with a facial injury, this game has quickly turned into the rookie showcase. Point guard Elfrid Payton has been trying to downplay it all week, but he’s making his debut in his hometown. When you combine that with Aaron Gordon having his confidence growing through the roof, this sets up for a high-octane, athletic matchup. In fact, it’s the most athletic and entertaining matchup of the evening. That is, if you’re a sucker for coast-to-coast drives, lobs near the rim for guys that can jump out of the building, and two underrated centers.
Yep, you got it … Omer Asik and Nikola Vucevic are two extremely talented, overlooked big men. Most of it can be attributed to Asik’s time backing up Dwight Howard last season, but being involved in a trade this summer was the biggest blessing for him. He wanted to be a starter, and now his chance is slapping him right in the face. Next to a ridiculous shot-blocker in the paint (Davis), there’s no reason a lot of pressure should rest on Asik’s shoulders.
Pelicans take the 1-0 record after their home opener.
Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs
8:00 PM ET — AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
It’s annual banner-raising day, isn’t it? The Spurs’ fifth banner will slowly glide up to the rafters as old man Duncan walks his 39-year-old self up to center-court to get his ring. Gregg Popovich won’t speak any more words than the occasional “I’m so proud of you” to his younger players, and then “Let’s do this **** again” to his memorable big three.
Replica rings will be handed out to every fan in attendance, which just adds to the decoration San Antonio’s organization has been known for in terms of being a first-class front office. You’re never going to hear this team in the same rumblings with that former brainwashed Clippers owner or the Hawks, who felt obligated to pass on a player in free agency because he had “a little African in him.” San Antonio’s roster is built completely around foreign talents, and they’ve gone to show the world that it may just be the best way to construct a winning team.
The Spurs do limp into this game a bit, playing without 2014 Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard, who is still recovering from an eye infection. They’ll also be missing Tiago Splitter, who suffered a strained right calf and doesn’t feel comfortable enough to play in the opener.
But, has that ever stopped Popovich from winning? No way, especially when he has the weapons of Boris Diaw to fill in for the big man, and play the stretch forward/center position as well as anyone out there. His unworldly passing from the Finals should carry over to tonight, and San Antonio’s best units have been with Diaw out there on the floor with Parker and Duncan.
Dallas comes marching into the season on a completely different level than last October. Chandler Parsons isn’t a guy they dreamed they could’ve landed because of the low price tag Houston could’ve returned him for (~$900,000). Instead, he’s now in the double-digit millions of annual salary, but he’s adding the youth and overall offensive speckle to Dallas’ lineup. As a whole, they’ve also upgraded at the floor general positions, being able to have their own three-headed point guard with Jameer Nelson, Devin Harris, and 2013 disappointment, Raymond Felton. Felton won’t be active as he’s still working out the kinks in his ankle injury. But, for the longevity of the season, Rick Carlisle is in great shape with his depth even after letting Vince Carter walk.
The key matchup would’ve been Parsons and Leonard, two guys that think very highly of themselves now that they’ve achieved their own levels of success. Leonard is still seeking the same type of payday Parsons was rewarded, but he does have the greater accomplishment under his belt. Now, the matchup to look for is the elderly head-to-head battle between Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas’ $8 million per year man. That’s still stupidly terrific for Mark Cuban that the German would agree to take so much less.
Expect to see an unhealthy amount of pick-and-roll with both teams, but it just seems natural for the Spurs. With Kevin Durant being out for the first month and a half of the season, the Clippers seem to be the No. 1 suspect to stealing the top seed away from Duncan and company. They could really care less about their total season wins, but you can guarantee they want to be victorious tonight.
Spurs win on banner night, because nobody wants to see their night spoiled. They’ll be the team to win the first game of the regular season … and the last of the playoffs.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 PM ET — Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
At the least, the league could’ve given us a Kobe Bryant vs. Derrick Rose returning palooza, couldn’t they? Come on, it would only make sense. But, I guess with the way the national television broadcast plays out, and the fact that history always says the Lakers will open against a West team, it had to be Houston.
Other than Bryant’s return to regular season action for the first time since December 17 of last year, there are endless storylines taking place in this Tuesday finale.
Will Bryant and Dwight Howard have on-court words since this is their first meeting after the Dwightmare 2.0?
Does James Harden, out of nowhere, remember how to play lockdown defense on his biggest competitor at the shooting guard spot?
How anxious will Jeremy Lin be to go completely off in a matchup with the team that dumped him off via trade … for nothing?
Are we in for a blowout, considering Houston desires to be No. 1 in the league — every year — in 3-pointers attempted, while the Lakers seem allergic to the perimeter?
That’s not even half of them.
This is Byron Scott‘s first test as a head coach in the most scrutinized market in basketball. He’s coached in New Orleans, New Jersey, and even Cleveland. Nothing will compare to the amount of disheartening abhorrence he receives if they don’t get through early November with a .500 record. Houston, Phoenix (2x), the Clippers, Golden State (2x), Charlotte, Memphis, New Orleans, and San Antonio make up their first 10 games. Mother of mercy. You can barely see two realistic wins in there for this Lakers bunch, who already looks depleted by injuries.
Remember, there will be no Nick Young for a few more weeks, or Steve Nash for the entirety of the year.
But, based on where this game is played, and the circumstances of a returning superstar on a milestone mission, there’s no way you can go against Los Angeles in this one. Do we remember what happened last season, on opening night? The Clippers, who still won 57 games, might have an idea or two.
The Lakers think they prove people wrong, but really it will just be one home win. You’re expected to win those. This franchise rarely tastes defeat in the opener.
It’s always in Staples, isn’t it? There’s your league favoritism, I guess.
Los Angeles advances to 1-0, before falling on their face the very next night in Phoenix.