In this highly-anticipated season opener between the two Los Angeles championship contenders; I must say it was the Clippers who looked the more impressive; showing greater team cohesion and a bigger determination to get the job done...
My feeling is Kawhi Leonard is the best player in the world right now... witness his 2nd quarter onslaught when he took control to take his team into a different stratosphere... his unbridled athleticism when he powered home a patented left-handed stuff and came up with an incredible block on Dwight Howard (of all people)... and his composure and stoicism in coming up big down the stretch to take his team to a priceless victory on opening night...
The Lakers; for all their talent; still look a little incoherent and struggling to gel... although Anthony Davis will certainly give them a huge boost in the paint and Danny Green did come up big with 28 points...
Patrick Beverley again came up big for his team; scoring only 2 points but coming up with 10 rebounds (unbelievable for a small point guard) and 6 assists... his workmanship was symbolised deep in the fourth when he inexplicably came up with the offensive rebound from a missed Clipper free throw... he actually reminds me of Kyle Lowry with that unceasing desire to win and all-out heroic effort... full marks also to the reliable Lou Williams (21 points off the bench), Montrezl Harrell (17 points & 7 rebounds in a sterling effort) and Maurice Harkless (10 points in an energetic 29 minutes).
I can see why the early reviews have tipped the LA Clippers to be NBA champions... and to be frank... I agree with them.
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