The Lakers’ season debut did not go as expected or hoped. The Golden State Warriors made sure to remind them that they were starting the campaign at full throttle. On the night of Tuesday, October 21, Stephen Curry carried the team on his back, leading the Warriors to a 119-109 win that left the Lakers on the floor, both literally and figuratively.
Remarkably, this was the first time in 23 years that LeBron James missed an NBA season opener. The Lakers struggled mightily throughout the game. Luka Doncic failed to establish rhythm alongside his teammates, while Draymond Green proved to be a major factor for the Warriors.
Draymond Green talks about facing the Lakers without LeBron James
The opening game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors felt strange, different, not only for the Lakers but even for their opponents. Veteran forward Draymond Green shared his thoughts on the absence of the Lakers’ biggest star.
LeBron’s old a- was over there in his Phil Jackson chair.
Green began jokingly.
No. It’s always different when he’s not out there. Obviously, we’ve had battles with Luka as well. Luka is an incredible player. But Bron is Bron, you know. And the battles that we’ve had over the years, you look forward to those… So it’s really odd not seeing him out there.
Green has shared many fierce battles with LeBron over the years, and this time, he openly admitted how much he missed his long-time rival. Still, he didn’t hesitate to praise young Luka Doncic.
That’s also why you go in and get a Luka Doncic – you know he’s a 1A too, and he showed that tonight.
Doncic gave everything he had to help his team win, but the Lakers’ offensive execution fell short, and the Warriors took full advantage. Green also addressed the physical issues that have recently affected LeBron James.
I’ve dealt with what Bron is dealing with; I don’t wish that on my worst enemy.
You live that all day, every day, your legs and your glutes start jumping. You just standing there talking to someone, you get pain shooting down your leg and cramps… It’s not like there’s a real timetable; you just have to go and see how far you can push it, and then see how much further you can push it. It’s a crappy injury, so definitely wishing him a speedy recovery.
In the end, it seems Green truly missed his fiercest competitor. More than anything, he hopes LeBron recovers soon so they can once again face each other on the court, reviving a rivalry defined by intensity, respect, and unmatched talent on both sides of the floor.
Read the full article here
