NBA: 10 thoughts after Clippers beat Lakers in season opener

10 thoughts after the LA Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers during the opening night of the 2019-20 NBA season

NBA basketball is officially back. A thrilling season opener came to an end when the LA Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 102-112, in a sold-out Staples Center crowd. Earlier, the reigning NBA champions, Toronto Raptors, managed to get past the Zion Williamson-less, New Orleans Pelicans in overtime, 122-130.

And even though Pascal Siakam (34 points, 18 rebounds) and Fred VanFleet (34 points, seven assists) had incredible games, the Los Angeles showcase caught people’s attention and was the main event of the night.

With Paul George sidelined (will miss the first 10 games of the season), Kawhi Leonard was on top of his game. He scored 30, shot 52.6 percent from the field and led the Clippers past the Lakers.

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Here are 10 thoughts from opening night, specifically out of the Clippers’ big win over the Lakers in the Los Angeles showdown:

1. It’s one game but Kawhi Leonard runs Los Angeles. LA will always be a Laker town, but Leonard is arguably the best player in the city. The 2019 Finals MVP put his team on his back on opening night with his 30 points (52.6% FG), six rebounds and five assists. He only played 31 minutes, but he was the best player on both ends of the court. His defensive presence on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (scoreless in 27 minutes) and LeBron James (shot 36.8% FG) was noteworthy.

2. Kawhi’s mamba mentality.

"“Once I play the game, I’m locked in. I’m thinking about the next play, the next play, the next play,” he said in his postgame interview with TNT. “He talks with his game,” said coach Doc Rivers about Kawhi."

3. The depth of the Clippers is arguably the best in the league. There’s a reason why the bookers favor the Clippers as the next NBA champions. One reason is Kawhi Leonard, another reason is Paul George, but a third reason is the team’s second unit. And it’s scary. On opening night, four players who came off-the-bench scored in double-figures for a total of 60 points. Even when Leonard was on the bench, the second unit created some great team runs.

"“These guys fight. They fight hard every single night,” Kawhi admitted."

4. The Clippers could finish the regular season as the best defensive team in the NBA. The trio of George, Leonard, and Beverley is going to be insane defensively, especially come playoff time. Besides, players such as Montrezl Harrell (two blocks against the Lakers) could have a huge impact defensively.

5. The 2019-20 Lakers love posting up.

Stat of the night: The Lakers have posted up more times in the first quarter than every single team did all of last season. Incredible.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) October 23, 2019

The Anthony Davis – LeBron James effect. At times when the Lakers couldn’t run in transition, the slowed the tempo down and posted up on the wing. It was either LeBron or AD.

6. Danny Green was a great pickup for the Lakers. The NBA veteran is not only a guard who knows how to win, but he’s also an excellent perimeter shooter. And although he may be a streaky shooter at times, he loves big moments. As crazy as it sounds, Green led the purple and gold in scoring on opening night with 28 points (7/9 3FG). It wasn’t just scoring though. The former Raptor grabbed seven rebounds, stole the ball twice and blocked it once. Overall, he had the team’s best plus-minus with +7.

7. The Lakers are already missing Rajon Rondo and Kyle Kuzma. Vogel’s bench was outscored 60-19. That’s right, they only scored 19 points.

8. For the first time in eight years, Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard were opponents. They were teammates in San Antonio and Toronto.

9. Doc Rivers used nine players against the Lakers and no one underperformed. Even if Beverley only scored one field goal (1-7 FG), he grabbed 10 huge rebounds, and at times even defended LeBron.

10. Until proven otherwise, the Clippers are the team to beat in the NBA and the favorites for the 2020 championship. Kawhi Leonard has the chance to make history with back-to-back titles on different teams. If that happens, his stock on the all-time players’ list will unquestionably rise. We could potentially be discussing him as a top-15 all-time player.

Next. NBA: 3 overreactions from opening night of the 2019-20 season. dark

BONUS: Don’t write the Raptors off, just yet. They’re still the defending champs, and they could end up being a top-4 seed in the weaker Eastern Conference. Pascal Siakam just signed a max deal, and could definitely make a leap towards stardom this season. He will make the All-Star team. After receiving his ring, he went off for 34 points, 18 rebounds and five assists in Toronto’s overtime win over the Pelicans.