NBA: Luka, LeBron and the most anticipated debuts with a new team
Luka Doncic made his debut with Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. How do you compare with the most anticipated debuts of the NBA with a new team since 2000.
The expected debut Luka Doncic with the Lakers occurred on Monday night against Utah Jazz in a 132-113 victory in Los Angeles.
Lakers’ fans gave a great ovation to Doncic When his name was mentioned last, after LeBron Jamesto present the titular alignments. The five times there of the NBA, which played with a restriction of minutes in its first action from Christmas Day, He had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in 14 minutes.
The Lakers acquired to Doncic In a spectacular change on February 2 with the Dallas Mavericks, which caused a shock in the world of sport.
Next, we take a look at other highly anticipated debuts in the NBA since 2000 that occurred after a change or signing as a free agent.
Statistics: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blockages
Party Result: Defeat 112-102 vs. The clippers
After a saga of changes that began during the 2018-19 season, the Lakers acquired Davis In the low season, creating a new duo next to James.
The debut of Davis It occurred against the clippers, which the headlines of Davis change were robbed by joining Paul George and Kawhi Leonard (more about him soon) to also compete for a title. Those respective movements created a memorable atmosphere for the first game of Davis Like Laker.
The 6 -foot and 10 -inch pivot scored 25 points (9 of 21 shots), becoming one of the three teammates to score 20 points in their debut with the team next to James.
Kawhi Leonard with the clippers: October 22, 2019
Statistics: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 robberies
Party Result: Victoria 112-102 vs. Lakers
Leonard’s debut with the clippers occurred only a few months after he led the Toronto Raptors to the NBA championship. Leonard He signed with the clippers as a free agent in a surprise out of season.
He showed himself as the player indicated in his first game with the franchise. Leonard He scored 16 points in the second quarter, hitting seven shots in a row as part of a quarter of 40 points for the clippers.
Statistics: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 robberies, 2 blockages
Party Result: Defeat 129-100 vs. San Antonio Spurs
The decision of Durant To sign with the Warriors in 2016 it is one of the most memorable free agent decisions in the NBA history. His adaptation with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson made his eventual debut with the team highly anticipated.
However, San Antonio grew up with an impressive victory as a visitor. The Spurs went up for 18 points to part time in a confrontation with only two leadership changes. Durant He still paid to a high level with 27 points, the maximum of the team, along with 10 rebounds. He described the defeat as “a slap on the face.”
Carmelo Anthony with the New York Knicks: February 23, 2011
Statistics: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 2 robberies, 1 assistance
Game Result: Victoria for 114-108 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
A saga of exchanges that lasted the entire season between Anthony and the Denver Nuggets came to an end to the deadline of 2011. Anthonyborn in Brooklyn, had publicly declared that the Knicks were their favorite destination.
His debut occurred with a memorable presentation that included a great standing ovation and an introductory video that spoke about the desire to Anthony to play at home. At the end of the video it read: “I return home.”
The All-Star forward also appeared ready to play. He scored 27 points and 10 rebounds, including 10 points in the room to close the match.
Statistics: 31 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blockages
Party Result: Defeat 88-80 vs. Boston Celtics
Months after “the decision”, the first game of James With the Heat it reached an audience record. It was the largest number of viewers in a regular NBA season game in cable television history (at that time), as the new Big Three of James, Dwyane WadHey Chris Bosh He faced the Celtics.
Boston fans booed Miami when he entered the court, and Spike Lee was among those who were sitting next to the court on the Garden TD. James He had a solid debut with 31 points, as many in the game. He was one of two Miami players in double digit.
James He recognized after the party that “Rome was not built in one day” and that the association would take to curdle.
Michael Jordan with the Washington Wizards: October 30, 2001
Statistics: 19 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 robberies
Party Result: Defeat 93-91 vs. New York Knicks
Three years after his second retirement, Jordan I was back in the NBA, but with the Wizards.
He announced his intention to return in September 2001, a year after joining the franchise as president of basketball operations. Jordan He also said that he would donate his entire salary of the 2001-02 season to relief work for the attacks of September 11.
His first game like Wizard was against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden, an enclosure in which he had memorable performances while playing for the Chicago Bulls. That was not repeated with Washington. Jordan He shot 33% from the field and scored 19 points in a closed defeat.
