NBA Tip Off

October 6, 2018

It’s that time of year again. The seventy-third NBA season tipped off last night and it’s shaping up to be a great year. This offseason was packed with news from the NBA and now, finally, the season is officially underway. 

2018 offseason was packed with trades and free-agent acquisitions. Some of the highlights are crazy. To start off, The King himself, Lebron James, has left the Cleveland Cavaliers and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for a four year, $153.3 million dollar deal. The Lakers also acquired Lance Stephenson and Rajon Rondo. 

In the East, the Toronto Raptors traded Demar DeRozan, a long-time Raptors veteran, in exchange for San Antonio Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. When the trade was announced, Kawhi spoke on the matter. “My focus is on this year, this group that I have, and us striving to get to a championship. We all want to win, and if you’re looking in the future, you are going to trip on the present. So I’m focused on this year, tomorrow, and just keep going after that” (Kaskey-Blomain.) Kawhi is looking to be the key to Raptors-dominance in the east, one game at a time. Isaiah Thomas agreed to a one year deal worth the veteran minimum $2 million with the Denver Nuggets. Coming from the Lakers, he only played seventeen games before he decided to undergo hip surgery for an injury he sustained during the 2017 season. During his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he injured his hip but forced himself to play the rest of the season. Thomas will be looking to reaffirm his domination in the NBA. 

Carmelo Anthony signed a one year, $2.4 million dollar contract with the Houston Rockets, establishing a new big three in the West, as Anthony will play alongside James Harden and Chris Paul. The one and only super-team keeps getting bigger. The Golden State Warriors signed Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins to a one year, $5.3 million dollar contract. These were just some of the important moves made in the NBA for this year.   

Demarcus Cousins, Lebron James, and Kawhi Leonard photoshopped into their new uniforms. 

The NBA season opener was short and sweet. Only four teams faced off to get the season in motion. The Boston Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors played the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 76ers fell short to the Celtics by a score of 87 to 105. Two of the Celtics veterans, however, left fans worried. Gordon Hayward suffered a broken leg in the 2017-18 season opener, leaving him exiled from the rest of the season. This was his first game since last season. His playing left something to be desired. He shot for only 33% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc. He finished the game with only ten points and five rebounds. Kyrie Irving left something to be desired as well. Irving finished with only seven points and a shocking 14.3% from the field and a 12.5% from the arc. The two players played for a combined two for twelve shooting rate from beyond the three-point line. The Celtics’ game was saved by rising star Jayson Tatum. Tatum finished a monster game with twenty-three points, nine rebounds, and three assists. An impressive game entering his second year in the NBA. 

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the hoop against Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. 

All-stars, all-stars, all-stars, that’s what you get when you watch the Golden State Warriors play. The Warriors faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder and won by a score of 100 to 108. Two of the best players in the NBA, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant had amazing games. Curry finished his game with thirty-two points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. He shot 55% from the field and 55% from the arc. This is Steph just doing what he does best. Kevin Durant ended his game with twenty-seven points, eight rebounds, and six assists. He shot for 42.9% from the field and a superb 90% from the free-throw line. Klay Thompson, however, struggled in the opener. He had only 14 points and shot for 25%. Not great. Regardless, the Warriors were able to pull through and start their season off right. 

Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors looking to get past Nerlens Noel of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

 

“Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Live Score and Stats – October 16, 2018 Gametracker.” CBSSports.com, 17 Oct. 2018, www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/[email protected]/.

 

“Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors Live Score and Stats – October 16, 2018 Gametracker.” CBSSports.com, 17 Oct. 2018, www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/[email protected]/.

 

Ward-Henninger, Colin. “2018 NBA Offseason Roster Changes: Player Movement, Signings, Trades, Grades for Every Team.” CBSSports.com, 18 Sept. 2018, www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2018-nba-offseason-roster-changes-player-movement-signings-trades-grades-for-every-team/.

 

Kaskey-Blomain, Michael. “Kawhi Leonard Addresses His Long-Term Future with Raptors.” San Antonio Spurs, 247sports, 24 Sept. 2018, 

247sports.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs/Article/Kawhi-Leonard-addresses-his-long-term-future-with-the-Toronto-Raptors–122446024/.

 

Images: