It would be an understatement to say the 2019-20 NBA season got off to a good start.
The league opened the basketball calendar with just a pair of games, but both matches lived up to the hoops hype. Defending champs Toronto Raptors defeated New Orleans Pelicans in overtime, 130-122, after receiving their rings, while the Clippers beat the Lakers, 112-102, in the war between Hollywood heavyweights.
Players not only showed off their in-game skills, but also their on-court drip:
Anthony Davis - Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Protro
The Brow paid homage to another Laker legend in his introductory game to the Purple and Gold. He put up 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in this iteration of the Kobe 4 "Black Snake."
LeBron James - Nike LeBron 17 '2K Purple'
Despite rocking a gaming-themed pair, the King wasn't exactly in video-game mode in the much-awaited battle of Los Angeles. He had a mortal 18 markers, eight boards, nine assists, and five turnovers.
Kawhi Leonard - New Balance OMN1S
As expected, the Klaw led the Clips in the first of many rivalry games with the Lake Show. He broke out his white-gold OMN1S and balled out (30 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl), without his superstar mate Paul George.
Jaxson Hayes - Nike Kyrie 5
The Pels' other rookie will have to wait for his baptism of fire after being the only New Orleans player who got a DNP, while wearing a white-blue version of Kyrie Irving's latest signature shoe.
Kyle Lowry - adidas Harden Vol. 3
K-Low celebrated their ring ceremony with a W, 22 points, six assists, clutch free throws, and a championship trophy-themed custom Harden pair that reads his hometown of North Philly at the back.
OG Anunoby - Nike Kyrie 5
OG — who laced up his own Nike By You sillhuoette — did a steady job as Kawhi's replacement at starting small forward, finishing with 11 points, seven rebounds, and a couple of blocks in Toronto's victory.
Brandon Ingram - adidas T-Mac Millenium 'Sun Tzu'
BI (22 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 blk) went toe to toe with the Raps' Pascal Siakam (34 pts, 18 reb, 5 ast) in a solid NOP debut. If you think about it, Tracy McGrady is the better comparison to the sleepy-looking and lanky forward.
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