That's why they play the games!
There was a slew of surprises on a busy 12-game Wednesday in the NBA ... and I have lots of pertinent video and audio to share along with this recap
There were 12 games on the schedule on the first full-speed night of the new NBA season. The results in at least six of them were double-take-worthy.
🏀 The Denver Nuggets, with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. both back to flank two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokić, fell behind by 22 points at halftime on the road against tanking Utah and lost by 21.
🏀 New Orleans, coming off starts of 1-7 and 1-12 in two of Zion Williamson's first three pro seasons while Zion was out nursing injuries, welcomed No. 1 back and absolutely trounced the big-name Nets in Brooklyn.
🏀 Miami, which fell one shot short of an NBA Finals berth last season, lost at home to a Bulls team missing Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball.
🏀 Dallas zoomed into a 22-point lead at Phoenix, on the same floor that the Mavericks crushed the Suns by 33 points in a Game 7 last spring, then broke down on multiple fronts in the second half to take home a 107-105 defeat.
🏀 Sacramento, believing this is the season that will finally bring a halt to a playoff drought that has stretched for an NBA-record 16 consecutive seasons, dented local optimism with a home loss to Portland.
🏀 And San Antonio, previously 23-2 in season openers under Gregg Popovich, wasn't even faintly competitive at home against a Charlotte team stripped of injured star point guard LaMelo Ball, without Miles Bridges indefinitely because of the domestic violence charges Bridges faces and after James Bouknight was arrested Sunday on DWI charges — although Bouknight did play 14 scoreless minutes against the Spurs. (Editor’s note: This paragraph has been corrected to note Bouknight’s participation in the Hornets’ win.)
As some say ... #thisleague.
I typically don't do morning-after recaps like this during the regular season, but Wednesday was undoubtedly one of those That's Why They Play The Games nights, filled with an array of, to put it politely, interesting outcomes.
The planned intent of today's post was to share some of my opening week electronic coverage, which is back in full swing now that the league's 77th season is officially underway.
You guys know by now how much I love telling NBA stories in TV essay form. I had the good fortune of debuting two such pieces Wednesday via my pals at Bally Sports New Orleans and Bally Sports Southwest.
1. My season preview of the Pelicans and their status, even before the impressive dismantling of the Nets, as everyone's favorite sleeper in the West:
2. A look at the five months of tumult in the desert that the Suns faced between Game 7 and their stunning Damion Lee-led comeback in their home opener:
Bonus coverage: I also spent 90 minutes in studio at lunchtime Wednesday with my longtime Dallas radio pals Ben & Skin. We previewed the Mavericks' season and told a bunch of old NBA stories for three meaty segments on their new station 97.1 The Freak ... with a podcast to replay all of that FM goodness here:
#ThisLeague constantly keeps me on my toes. And hard to keep up with everything as a fan, much less someone like you, that HAS to...
Appreciate the recaps and added context. If the season is anything like the initial games, we’re in for a real entertaining/crazy season ahead. Can’t wait (well, not counting all Lakers games, of course 🫤) 🤣😜
I’m bless with no real complaints about my job; but boy your job look such a fun thing to do! Great coverage as always.