The NBA is now in full pre-season mode as teams ramp up their preparations for the new season, which begins in just a few weeks.
The early pre-season games have given SBOBET NBA fans their first glimpse of a trio of No. 1 picks — Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, and Markelle Fultz — in action for their new teams.
While big things are expected of both Davis and Williamson, Fultz is merely trying to rebuild his NBA career after a rough first couple of years.
Those three have been the standout news stories during the first few days of NBA pre-season
LeBron, Anthony Davis-led Lakers look good in win vs Warriors
One of the biggest moves that took place during this epically wild NBA offseason was the Lakers finally landing Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis and LeBron James instantly became one of the best duos in the league, and they provided a preview of what they could be capable of this season in their 123-101 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Davis led the way with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, while James added 15 points and eight assists. Although they both played just 18 minutes, the two superstars showed strong chemistry playing with one another, which is a scary proposition for the rest of the league.
After the game, Davis admits that he and James remain hard at work to continue to improve their on-court relationship.
“We’re just trying to figure it out,” Davis said. “Even when we’re off the floor watching film, or even when we’re on the floor we’re talking. Or if he’s on the floor and I’m on the bench, or vice-versa, we just try to help each other out… The more we can do that, the easier the game is going to be for us and our teammates. So any time we’ve got an opportunity to learn, that’s good for us.”
The Western Conference once again figures to be fiercely competitive this season. But with James and Davis already looking like they’re on their way to forming a formidable partnership, they can be the top championship contenders the NBA 2019 betting odds peg them to be.
Zion delivers dunktastic pre-season debut
Despite trading away Davis, the New Orleans Pelicans appear to be in good hands with their new young star: Zion Williamson.
The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft has come into the league with a lot of hype surrounding him, and he showed just why in his pre-season debut against the Atlanta Hawks.
Williamson had 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 28 minutes to help the Pelicans to an easy 133-109 win.
The 6-foot-7 man-child, who gained popularity with his ferocious slam dunks, didn’t disappoint as he threw down three powerful jams in the first half alone.
“This isn’t high school or college anymore,” Williamson said post-game. “You’ve got to go up strong. So I went up strong and I was able to finish.”
Williamson is part of a young and promising Pelicans core that also includes Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart — who all came over in the Lakers trade — as well as fellow rookie Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The main goal for the Pelicans this season is more toward the future instead of the present. They will be looking for Zion and Co. to grow and develop into legitimate stars with the hope of competing for the playoffs in the next few years.
While the Pelicans are unlikely to be serious playoff contenders this year, their pre-season opener is proof that with Zion sure to make dozens of NBA 2019 highlights, the Pelicans will be quite a fun team to watch this season.
Markelle Fultz making progress with Magic
Markelle Fultz’s NBA career thus far has been remarkably strange. The highly-rated guard was drafted No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers but ended up playing just 33 games over two years following a mysterious shoulder injury.
That injury, later diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome, completely altered his shooting form to the point where he lost all confidence to attempt jump shots.
But after all that drama in Philadelphia, the 21-year-old is now with the Orlando Magic and is eager to get his career back on track.
Fultz has played well in the Magic’s first two pre-season games, recording 14 points on 7-of-18 shooting and 11 assists. He has yet to hit a 3-pointer, but he has attempted and made mid-range jump shots, which is still some progress.
Fultz still has a long way to go to become the star player many expected him to be coming out of college. But his early pre-season showing is at least a sign that he is headed toward the right direction.
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