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Los Angeles Lakers – Jeremy Lin Thrives When He’s in the Lineup
Every time Jeremy Lin will be in the lineup with the main players for the Los Angeles Lakers, offensively the team will look much better than with Kobe Bryant or Steve Nash dominating the ball handling. As for defense? That’s a team-wide problem, not just a player-specific problem, as shown in the 120-105 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
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Houston Rockets – James Harden Doesn’t Need Dwight Howard in the Preseason
Sometimes it feels as if James Harden would be even better if there was no one he actually needed to share the ball with. Without Dwight Howard, he led the Houston Rockets to a 113-93 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the preseason, having no problem standing out and separating himself from the rest of performers on the court.
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Oklahoma Thunder – Kevin Durant the Only One Looking Good on Preseason Debut
The most memorable thing from the preseason game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets? Timofey Mozgov blocking Kevin Durant in a slightly humiliating way, and the Nuggets winning 114-101.
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New York Knicks – Carmelo Anthony Not Off to a Great Preseason
Following Carmelo Anthony through the summer gives us a glimpse of someone trying to be optimistic although there aren’t a lot of reasons to be. The New York Knick looked bad adjusting to the triangle offense in a 106-86 loss to the Boston Celtics, as Jared Sullinger had an excellent game while Marcus Smart looked much improved compared to his preseason debut, almost like someone who can take over eventually for Rajon Rondo.
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Warriors Over Clippers – Disappointing That There Were No Fights
When two teams that hate each other clash, even in a preseason game, you expect the bad blood to mean something. Instead, the Golden State Warriors (won 112-94) and the Los Angeles Clippers focused on purely basketball things, which might mean that they’re saving the nastier, and sometimes better stuff, for later, when it actually means something.
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Minnesota Timberwolves – Andrew Wiggins Shows There’s Plenty to be Excited About
The number one draft pick in 2014 wasn’t on the winning side of his NBA preseason debut, but Andrew Wiggins did everything expected of him and more playing his first game for the Minnesota Timberwolves as they lost to the Indiana Pacers. Who knows, maybe his abilities will be able to hide the fact that Ricky Rubio still looks awful when it comes to scoring.
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Houston Rockets – James Harden Doesn’t Change One Bit
The focal point of the preseason opener for both the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets was Chandler Parsons playing quite well against his former team, but the best player on the floor was James Harden, who doesn’t seem like a changed player for good and bad despite a summer of improved responsibility with the national team.
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Chicago Bulls – Jimmy Butler Hides the Fact That Derrick Rose Was Terrible
Another preseason loss for the Chicago Bulls, this time 111-109 to the Detroit Pistons, as Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol had less than an impressive showing, while both Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, along with Aaron Brooks playing off the bench, provided the sliver linings when it comes to individual ability and scoring.
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Miami Heat – Chris Bosh & Luol Deng Look Great in Preseason Debut
A new era for the Miami Heat began with a preseason loss to the Orlando Magic, but the ability of Chris Bosh and Luol Deng (not so much Dwyane Wade at this point) was more than pleasing, as the ghost of LeBron James hovered in the arena.
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Houston Rockets – Kevin McHale Shouldn’t be the Head Coach After This Season
The Houston Rockets have something of a depressing year ahead due to the negative turnover in talent during the offseason. But there is a silver lining: Kevin McHale might be gone by the end of the season, unless they foolishly decide to renew his contract.