Rookie Review and Dazzling Performances
During the first game of the 2012-2013 season, the reigning rookie of the year, Kyrie Irving lead the Cavaliers to a victory over the Wizards 94-84. Irving scored 29 points on 11-20 shooting from the field. He hit 3 3-pointers while grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. Irving's rookie teammate and the #4 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft Dion Waiters, showed why he was a top 4 selection. Waiters tallied 14 points including 2 2-pointers, 2 rebounds and 3 steals.
Last night the newly acquired Rocket James Harden, had a masterful performance in his debut. Harden signed a 5 year $80 million dollar deal after being traded to Houston. In the first game of the season, harden exploded for 37 points including 4 3-pointers. Harden dished out 12 assists while collecting 6 rebounds. He also finished with 4 steals and a block.
The ageless Tim Duncan lead the Spurs to a win over the Hornets. Duncan of course had a double-double (24points. 11 rebounds). Duncan filled out the stat sheet with 3 steals and 3 blocks. The #1 overall pick in this year's draft, Anthony Davis made his much anticipated first appearance in the league. Davis was 6-12 from the field, while going a perfect 9-9 form the charity stripe, tallying 21 points. Davis was relentless on the boards collecting 7 rebounds (3 offensive). The first pick from Kentucky played some solid defense but only totaled 1 steal and 1 block. Fellow Rookie, Austin Rivers from Duke has a disappointing first appearance in the NBA. Rivers was a woeful 1-9 from the floor including 0-2 from down town. Rivers made 3 turnovers while only tallying 2 assists and collecting 1 rebound.
In the Lakers second game of the season, Kobe Bryant and new Lakers' teammate Dwight Howard combined for 63 points. Bryant scored 30 points but made 7 turnovers. Howard showed why the Lakers were so excited to land the big man scoring 33 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 5 assists. The most impressive stat of the night for Howard was shooting 15-19 from the line. Rookie Damian Lillard had a memorable performance accomplishing a feat that only 2 other players in NBA have ever accomplished. In his debut, Lillard totaled 23 points and 11 assists. Lillard joins Isiah Thomas and Oscar Robertson as the only players to have double digits assists and points in an NBA debut. Lillard and Portland handed the Lakers their 2nd loss in as many games on the season.
By Steven Spector - 11 - 1 - 12
