Long before tipoff yesterday at the brand-spanking-new Chase Center, hoops fans knew the Warriors-Lakers tiff would not be like any other affair on the National Basketball Association’s preseason schedule. It certainly figured to be in stark contrast to the Rockets-Clippers match two days before, otherwise highly anticipated but ending up losing a lot of star power with the sidelining of Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George. The need for both sides to hit the ground running negated the option of treating it as a veritable scrimmage; the looks they sported were as novel as the court they were about to play in, hence their desire to test their planned rotations before the games really do get to count.
True enough, the Warriors and Lakers did go all out from the start. For the first two quarters, they went about their ways as if they were already deep in the playoffs. Head coach Steve Kerr played four of his five starters, including Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and D’Angelo Russell, for three-fourths of the half; he was clearly bent on seeing how well they worked together. The same went for Frank Vogel in regard to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, as well as to Rajon Rondo despite not being part of the starting lineup.
The second half would be another matter, but, by then, the 18,064 congregated at 1 Warriors Way in San Francisco had their fill — at least until the start of the 2019–20 campaign in two weeks. No doubt, they were somewhat dismayed by the score, which had their heralds down by eight after the second canto. Still, they saw enough to be optimistic; the departure of Kevin Durant and indefinite absence of Klay Thompson notwithstanding, they were buoyed by the willingness — desire, even — of Curry to take charge. The two-time Most Valuable Player had hitherto been content to defer. Not anymore, and not just by necessity; he had 18, three, two, and two to his name.
Meanwhile, the Lakers showed more than enough to justify their self-assurance. Davis was a monster, putting up 22, 10, two, and one in 18 minutes and change. James proved true to his promise, playing point and content with a more supportive role through virtually the same timeframe; he was good for 15, three, eight, and one, not to mention a game-high plus-14 line. The results off a small sample size may mean squat, but they, at least, underscore the reasons behind the proud franchise giving up everything, including the proverbial kitchen sink, just to ensure the partnership.
The final score had the Lakers winning 123 to 101, but no one paid any attention to it. There were smiles all around, even among the Warriors. And why wouldn’t there have been? Chase Center looks to be all that it’s touted. Curry & Co. are ready. Davis, James, and the rest, too. The preseason game may be done, but the yearlong event that is the NBA keeps forging ahead.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
