Warriors Star Praises Lakers, Vogel's Team Send Warning To NBA

The Los Angeles Lakers began their pre-season campaign on Saturday when they defeated recently dethroned champions Golden State Warriors 123-101 in the first game at the newly opened Chase Center, the new home of the Warriors.

It was an impressive performance from Frank Vogel’s team which even had opposition players appreciating their effort.

The Lakers started with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Danny Green, JaVale McGee, and Avery Bradley. The former New Orleans Pelicans power forward was the most impressive on the night scoring 22 points during his 18 minutes on the court while also recording 10 rebounds.

James was on point guard duties and managed 8 assists and 15 points in 18 minutes showing that he can allow teammate Davis to take the lead while he pulls the strings. Troy Daniels was the next highest scorer with 14 points while also playing the maximum number of minutes during the game.

Meanwhile, it was not the start the Warriors would have wanted in their new home but they were well and truly beaten by the Lakers, who have been installed as one of the favorites to win the 2020 NBA championship. Stephen Curry was the top scorer with 18 points while Jordan Poole put in an impressive performance off the bench to contribute 17 points.

D’Angelo Russell, who started in the Warriors backcourt with Curry, managed just 4 points in his 18 minutes on the court, but it can be excused as it was his first game with the Warriors. The guard, however, was very impressed with his former team labeling them a “fantasy team”.

"It's different. It's different seeing all those big guys on the floor at the same time. LeBron playing point alongside those dudes. It's cool. It looks like a fantasy team or something,” Russell said after the game, via ESPN’s NBA reporter Nick Friedell.

Apart from Davis and James, JaVale McGee was also impressive as the starting center while Vogel o praised Avery Bradley for his defense on Curry. The head coach also asked Lakers fans to be excited about Davis after the forward impressive debut showing.

The Lakers were so excited about the manner of their opening pre-season win that the team’s official Twitter handle sent out a warning to the rest of the NBA. They do look like a different team compared to the last season and they were also without Kyle Kuzma, who averaged 18.7 points last campaign.