NBA Week 1 Highlights: Lillard's Bucks Debut, Impressive Rookies, and Bulls' Meeting

 NBA Week 1 Highlights: Lillard's Bucks Debut, Impressive Rookies, and Bulls' Meeting

The NBA has returned with a bang! In just one week into the season, the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, have shown their mettle by defeating LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the season opener.

The highly-anticipated debut of the No. 1 overall pick, Victor Wembanyama, for the San Antonio Spurs was notable, despite his team's loss to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. And it's not just Wembanyama who's making waves among the rookies.

What else has caught our attention? Kristaps Porzingis created history with his debut for the Boston Celtics against his former team, the New York Knicks. Russell Westbrook displayed flashes of his vintage self for the LA Clippers.

However, there have been moments of concern. The Chicago Bulls surprised many by calling a players-only meeting after just one game, and the Houston Rockets face a series of questions after their opening loss.

Let's dive deeper into the best and worst of the first three days of the 2023-24 season.

**Fill in the blank**: The Giannis-Dame debut was _____.

- Andrew Lopez: Fun. Their pick-and-roll chemistry promises endless entertainment, and Damian Lillard's arrival as a closer will be a game-changer for the Bucks.

- Tim MacMahon: A reminder of Damian Lillard's offensive prowess and clutch performances, which carried the Bucks in a close contest.

- Bobby Marks: Dangerous. Lillard provides the Bucks with a reliable closer, which could alleviate some pressure from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

- Kevin Pelton: Largely unprecedented, as it allowed the Bucks to outscore opponents when Giannis was resting due to Lillard's presence.

- Ohm Youngmisuk: Scary to watch. Milwaukee's vision of Giannis and Dame sharing the floor, with Lillard providing clutch moments, could be a game-changer.

**What game or moment has been the most shocking so far?**

- MacMahon: The Chicago Bulls holding a players-only meeting right after their opening game was surprising, indicating early-season frustration.

- Marks: The fact that the Bulls called a players-only meeting so soon was a shock, raising concerns about the roster despite significant investments.

- Youngmisuk: While not as shocking as the Bulls, Charlotte's win over Atlanta and their effective defense against the Hawks' backcourt was noteworthy, considering the turbulence in the Hornets' offseason.

- Pelton: Orlando's dominant victory over Houston was unexpected, particularly as the Rockets had acquired key starters but failed to compete effectively.

- Lopez: The Timberwolves' 19th consecutive loss in Scotiabank Arena against the Raptors was remarkable, given their inefficiency in the game.

**We all witnessed Wemby. Another rookie who stood out was _____.**

- Lopez: Dereck Lively II. The Dallas Mavericks rookie center showed immense promise, and his debut performance was stellar.

- Youngmisuk: Dereck Lively II, who resembled a young Tyson Chandler with his impactful performance in his debut.

- MacMahon: Cason Wallace. The Thunder guard's strong debut with a perfect shooting record was a significant moment.

- Marks: Brandon Miller's late-game heroics for Charlotte demonstrated his potential.

- Pelton: Brandon Miller. His efficient 13-point contribution off the bench in Charlotte didn't go unnoticed.

**Based on a very early eye test, who has taken the biggest leap since last season?**

- Lopez: Bruce Brown Jr., who delivered a fantastic performance for the Indiana Pacers, showcasing his worth.

- MacMahon: Max Strus, who seamlessly slotted into the Cavaliers' roster and displayed his shooting prowess.

- Marks: Cole Anthony, who impressed for the Magic, showing the team's investment in him was justified.

- Pelton: Jalen Johnson, who had a strong debut for Atlanta, capitalizing on the opportunity created by John Collins' departure.

- Youngmisuk: Russell Westbrook, who appears rejuvenated and could be a key contributor for the LA Clippers.

**What's one question you want answered after the season's first few days?**

- Pelton: Will Chris Paul move to the bench upon Draymond Green's return, considering his underwhelming performance in Golden State's loss to Phoenix?

- Lopez: Can New Orleans increase their three-point attempts, as Coach Willie Green has emphasized?

- Marks: What's the state of Houston's rebuild, given their significant investments and poor season opener?

- Youngmisuk: Will Anthony Davis consistently assert himself and dominate for the Lakers, especially with LeBron James' playing time limitations?

- MacMahon: We've got an answer regarding the Celtics' starting lineup, but how will Al Horford's shift to the bench impact the team's overall performance?