No disrespect to to Juan Toscano-Anderson, who up until yesterday seemed like a really nice guy, but the fact that the Lakers played him 14 minutes against the Warriors speaks volumes of their depth. Well actually, Juan did average 14 minutes playing for the Dubs last season, you know, while Klay and/or Steph and/or Draymond was unavailable. So that instead speaks volumes to the healthy state of the Lakers, since none of their stars are injured.
Last season's Warriors was a magical team, because coming into 2021-22 no one believed they were going to win the championship. Part of me still doesn't believe it. But more importantly, they believed in themselves. And they had luck on their side, i.e. Andrew Wiggins suddenly reminding everyone that he's a no.1 pick, and Steph doing that shit that isn't supposed to be possible/legal. You seen what he did against the Lakers last night? How can a single player have both the best dribble and the best jumpshot in the NBA?
Last night, Juan scored a whopping 0 points though did get four rebounds, for whatever they were worth. But the thing that defined his night on the court was this:
Now last season's Warriors isn't one of those that you can really point at anyone on the roster and be like 'that player didn't do shit'. Virtually everybody on that team contributed because again, the core players were hurt, and everyone else on the roster, going into the season, were more or less unproven. The only person on the squad who got playing time but was unable to take advantage of it, unfortunately, was Quinndary Weatherspoon, which is kinda understandable when you see that he only played in 11 games. But all other 14 players on the roster ended last season with their reputations better than they had been before. And what that means is that if any of the previously-unknown/unrespected players end up on different roster, they have to show the other players on the team - and indeed the world - that they are of championship pedigree.
That's what Damion Lee did last night. I always liked Damion because he's an energy player and has affected the game every time I've seen him play, even if sometimes in an unhelpful way. But his jumpshot is suspect, and that showed recently when the Suns got their asses bust by that Australian team the 36ers (who then turned around and got demolished by OKC). But it's like 'hey, dude played for the Dubs last season and averaged a respectable 7 points. So why not give him a contract?', like even on a contender.
So by the end of Juan's debut, you're saying to yourself that it doesn't forebode the Lakers well if they're going to have to depend on him. It's totally not a good look when you score 0 points and then almost knee your former teammate - who just signed a gazillion $ contract - in the nuts. But in Anderson's defense, Poole did drive his thigh into Juan's nuts first, which once again makes you requestion why Draymond spazzed on him.
Meanwhile, the Suns got 'vengeance' against the Mavs - during the season opener which would be one of the most-watched games of the season - and no one is talking CP3 or Booker or any of the stars, nor were any of the Suns' players who actually lost to Dallas able to exact revenge. Instead, it's Damion Lee's name highlighted in the articles, and even Steph is showing him love. And trust me - there's no player in the NBA who you'd rather have how you love than Steph.
And of course one night doesn't mean shit in the grand scheme of things, but I just find it interesting how these players, both of whom I'm a fan of, have now already been dealt like completely different paths. Next up is how my boy the Gauntlet will perform.
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