National Basketball Association

NBA: Five Things We Learned From Opening Night

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:40 p.m. ET

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October 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with guard Stephen Curry (30) against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

As the Cleveland Cavaliers raised their first NBA Championship banner to open the season, here are five things we learned

You couldn’t help but feel good for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After decades of suffering, the Cavs finally raised their first NBA Championship banner in franchise history. To make it even more special, one of their own (LeBron James) had the best seat in the house as he prepped for his 14th NBA season.

Coasting to a huge victory over the New York Knicks was the only way the season could’ve started for the defending champs.

But that wasn’t the only action of the night. In addition to the Cavs clobbering the Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs shocked the world as they blew out the new-look Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers continued to prove that they’re here to stay after their season-opening victory over the short-handed Utah Jazz.

Taking a closer look at each of these three ball games, here are five things we learned from opening night in the NBA.

Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks in the first half against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron Isn’t Slowing Down, And The Cavs Are Still Really Good

LeBron James is a soon-to-be 32-year-old but, at least on opening night, there was no signs of him slowing down anytime soon. On top of LeBron’s impressive performance – in which he logged 19 points (on 14 FG attempts), 11 rebounds and 14 assists – the Cavs looked really good.

Yes, you read that right. On opening night, LeBron James logged a triple-double. It was actually the first of his career on opening night.

LeBron with the rejection on @nbaontnt! #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/kEa33ftpPv

— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2016

It wasn’t just that the Cavs won by 29 points. It was how well-oiled their offense looked in game 1. In comparison, there were times when the New York Knicks looked like a team that had just met each other during warmups.

LeBron James and the Cavs aren’t going anywhere. And they just might run through the East without much resistance.

Oct 20, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Trevor Booker (35) defends against New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Knicks Need To Involve Kristaps Porzingis More Into The Offense

Apart from looking like a team that simply hadn’t played with each other before, for much of the game Kristaps Porzingis looked like the youngest brother amongst the Knicks’ starters. Whenever the ball rotated to him, he needed to do something with it. Because, if he didn’t, he was not going to get it back.

Porzingis finished with 16 points on 13 shot attempts, though, it was difficult to not feel that he was being underutilized.

The offense needs to flow through Kristaps a bit more often. In fairness, they did run some high pick-and-pop action. More of that.

If the Knicks are going to improve this season – and I don’t think there should be a panic after one game – they’re going to need Kristaps to continue to make strides. He’s their second most important player right now. Sorry, Derrick.

Oct 21, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12, left) and Kawhi Leonard (2, right) talk on the bench during the second half against the Houston Rockets at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The Spurs Are Still The Spurs

Everyone – at least a lot of us (yes, us) – counted out the San Antonio Spurs this season. Why? Who knows? Well, after one game, that looks like a big mistake. Tim Duncan may not be a member of the San Antonio Spurs anymore, but this team is still really good.

Like, they just beat the Golden State Warriors (with Kevin Durant) by double-digits good. I didn’t even know if that was going to happen at all this season. The fact that it happened on opening night is insane.

Credit the Spurs, who were led by the direction of Kawhi Leonard. He might not be the most vocal player on the court, but he’s certainly one of the most impactful ones.

The Spurs may look a little different, but as long as Gregg Popovich is calling the shots in San Antonio we shouldn’t count them out. Lesson learned.

Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) takes a jump shot Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

The Blazers Are Real…So Are The Jazz

I still don’t know where each of these teams will fall in the West standings, but the fact that the Utah Jazz battled the Portland Trail Blazers all the way to the end, sans Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward, should indicate positivity for them moving forward.

It’s definitely a good sign.

At the same time, the Blazers are pretty insane themselves. If nothing else, they’re going to be one of the higher scoring teams in the NBA again. And Damian Lillard…well he’s something else.

Lillard finished with 39 points, nine rebounds and six assists. His running mate, C.J. McCollum, added 25 points.

Both of these teams are trending up, and should be penciled into the playoff race.

October 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks the basketball against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t Freak Out, Warriors Fans

Golden State Warriors fans should not freak out after what transpired on opening night at Oracle Arena. However, it should be a reminder – it’s not going to be as easy as you thought it will be. Well, maybe it will. It’s just going to take some time for that to happen.

We saw the potential in spurts. For example, when Stephen Curry hit back-to-back shots and then found Kevin Durant for a wide open dunk in the second quarter. It’s there. The talent is there. It’s just going to take some time for it all to come together – just like it took time for the Miami Heat, and every other super team, to click.

Take a deep breathe, Warriors fans. It will be OK.

Just look at the schedule. You have the Pelicans and then the Suns. Yup, it’s going to get much better rather quickly.