We can now put a bow on the 2019 preseason for the Los Angeles Lakers. Following the debut of Anthony Davis, a tenuous trip to China and what seemed like 17 games against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers are now set to begin the regular season on Tuesday against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.
LeBron James appeared in four preseason contests for L.A. and averaged 15 points and six assists in 20 minutes of work. Davis, meanwhile, also logged 20 minutes per night and averaged 13 points and six rebounds as the Lakers wrapped up the exhibition schedule with a record of 3-3.
While the preseason only served as a mere sampling of what we can expect from LeBron and his upgraded roster this season, it was not without its memorable moments. From A.D.’s dominant debut, to no-look dimes from the King and surprise performances from rookie teammates, we look back at the top-five highlights from the games that didn’t really matter as we count down the minutes to matchups that soon will.
No. 5: Zach Norvell Jr. crosses over Jordan Poole
While making his Staples Center debut, Zach Norvell Jr. exploded for a team-high 22 points against the Golden State Warriors. The undrafted rookie from Gonzaga who signed a two-way contract with the Lakers this summer hit three 3-pointers while also displaying his ability off-the-bounce by dropping Warriors guard Jordan Poole with a wicked crossover. The move that followed was an and-one finish that sent LeBron James and the Lakers bench into a uproar.
No. 4: JaVale McGee gets injured, then healed, then dunks
During the Lakers 126-93 win over the Golden State Warriors, JaVale McGee got his leg tangled up with Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie on the offensive end of the floor. As a result, he limped under the basket and out-of-bounds – suffering what appeared to be a somewhat serious injury. Moments later, however, JaVale sprinted back into the action and received a pass from Anthony Davis for a wide-open dunk.
Did he fake an injury? Did he miraculously heal? We’ll never know for sure, but it definitely was entertaining to watch.
No. 3: LeBron brings back his iconic chalk toss
The last time LeBron James opened a game with his iconic chalk toss was in 2015 during his second tour of duty with the Cleveland Cavaliers. To the delight of the hometown fans, he had opened virtually every game of his career with the chalk toss prior to that point. But after roughly a four-year hiatus, LeBron brought back his signature pregame ritual before to the Lakers game with the Nets in China. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait four more years to see it again.
No. 2: Anthony Davis dunks five times during first quarter of Lakers debut
While helping lead Los Angeles to a 123-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors during his Lakers debut, Anthony Davis dunked five times in the first quarter. His first dunk came after he collected a rebound from a Danny Green corner three that missed the mark. The next came off a lob pass in the paint from Rajon Rondo. Davis then followed that up by rolling down the left wing to receive a lob from LeBron. Dunk No. 4 – in the first quarter – came when Rondo tossed a lob from the 3-point line to a spinning Davis off the left block, before throwing down another smash off an offensive rebound later in the period.
No. 1: LeBron’s no-look pass to Danny Green in the corner
LeBron James flashed his “point god” skills during Wednesday’s preseason matchup with the Golden State Warriors. While driving to the basket in the third quarter, the defense collapsed on the King leaving teammate Danny Green wide open all the way across the court in the right corner. As James jumped, he switched hands and fired a left-handed, no-look, over-the-shoulder dime to Green who buried the triple. It was one of 11 assists LeBron distributed during the game.
