NBA Opening Night: Cream of the Crop. Defending champion Lakers take on city rival Clippers.
By: Marcus M.
Tags: Basketball, Fluidity, Life, Sports, Moments

NBA Opening Night: Cream of the Crop. Defending champion Lakers take on city rival Clippers.

I was going to wait until the second game of tonight’s double header finished to write my synopsis but the way this game is going, I have enough content.

First of all, the ring ceremony for the Los Angeles Lakers was very touching. With no fans in attendance, the Lakers still included the fans with videos of frontline workers all over L.A. and then the family members of Laker players presenting them with their championship rings. Further proving we are all stronger together, this NBA season no longer felt rushed but just right on time when the communities seem to be with the program, pushing forward. Furthermore, the Lakers will not unveil the championship banner until fans are allowed back into the Staples Center, so they can share the moment together with the people who support them. No better way to do it. Rob Pelinka throwing up the two four and Lebron James “24” fingerband right next to his diamond-studded championship ring capped off the ceremony with the nod to Kobe. Let’s keep this going.

But more than ever, the Clipper-faithful seems to be knocking on the Staple Center door of galore. They want championships too. Signing Paul George to a $200 million dollar extension this season and doing everything in their power to keep NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard has Los Angeles beating on LOS ANGELES. If that makes any sense. Clippers came out taking a double digit lead in tonight’s game and they look hungrier than ever along with that talent. A new max contract, seeing your rivals get awarded their rings after winning their 17th championship pre-game, and failing miserably last season especially in the playoff bubble will do that to you.

Most of all, the fluidity of this game is lit! Like no other. This is what you want leading up to Christmas Eve. Stay your ass home! (Both teams play their home games at Staples Center). Look good and play good! And have a celebration all night long. Merry Christmas!

It’s only a 2-point deficit for the Lakers now, they’ve never taken the lead yet, but there’s no complaints here as both teams are playing their tails off. The talent is undeniable on both teams but what stands out most is how they’re playing the game. Seems flawless with the defense rotations on point, the ball movement flowing always reaching to the best shot available and the fresh legs and conditioning on point for the first game of a 72-game season.

Entering the fourth quarter, Clippers lead 89–78 . The game is energetic and exciting. Maybe one of these teams will feel the excitement as they do tonight at the end of the season. Which means one of these teams, if not both, will feel the disappointment of not reaching their end of the year goals. But after tonight’s preview it’s clear these teams have the cream of the crop. Not only in the NBA but all of basketball. Not only talent-wise, but how they are playing the game right now. They weeded out problems, they added and gotten better.

It’s clear Doc Rivers couldn’t handle the Clippers last year, after losing their 3–1 playoff lead to the Denver Nuggets. There was talk as of locker room issues and players not getting along. Ty Lue, Clippers new head coach, seems to have settled this team down and having them realizing what they have in front of them; which is a chance to be as good as the defending champ Lakers. And with Lebron James on your team, expect the Lakers to repeat they’re championship ways as only Lebron James knows how. Even if they loss playoff-Rondo to the Atlanta Hawks they revamped with Clippers own 6th man of the year last year Montrezl Harrell, former champ Marc Gasol and a younger Rondo but without the championship pedigree in Dennis Schroder.

Eight minutes left, Clippers lead 99–90. The most important part is always who wins the game. But you also have to appreciate when something great is happening right before your eyes. I’ll always love the game of basketball. But I’m taking that with me on my journey in life. Always play to win. But don’t forget to enjoy what’s right in front of you. It might not ever get better than this moment right here. Even if somehow, someway, somewhat it does... It won’t get better than this moment right here.