The Lakers hadn’t won an opener since the Obama administration.
Tuesday, they ended that streak with a 110-103 win over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves at the Crypt. It’s a big deal for LA for a few reasons; first, given how hard the early schedule is, every win they bank is a cushion in the event of an off night. Second, they took advantage of an opportunity. Minnesota is still coming together after trading Karl-Anthony Towns to New York, so the Lakers are catching a good team at a relatively weak moment. Third, Anthony Davis was awesome. Like, really awesome. The MVP form he displayed in the preseason continued into Tuesday. He seems to be entering the season with a “double middle fingers” type attitude for those in the media who (in his view) refuse to give him his due.
An angry Anthony Davis is an even bigger asset to the Lakers than the regular version.
LeBron and Bronny Get Their Moment
It came with about five minutes to go in the first half, and ended with about 90 seconds remaining. Barring injury or blowout, it could be the last minutes Bronny plays for the Lakers this season. He’ll spend his time in the G-League, as he should. Fortunately for everyone involved, the Lakers won the game (even while losing those minutes) meaning what was a very cool and historic moment in the NBA can actually be enjoyed, at least by those Lakers fans who are willing to.
Words to Live By
1. Reflecting on Past Lakers Teams: “Your starters for the Lakers in (the last opening night victory): Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov... The more things change, the more they stay exactly the same.”
2. On Anthony Davis’ Performance: “36 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three blocks... This was like the ideal Anthony Davis game if you asked Lakers fans to draw it up.”
3. On A.D.'s Attitude: “I sense that Anthony Davis is in serious double middle fingers mode, and I love it.”
