Good things come to those who wait – and, boy, did we wait.
As I sit here and write this intro with the TNT NBA Pregame show in the background, I can’t help but appreciate the moment. Throughout the past few months, I’ve tried my best to practice patience. It’s been hard, but necessary. After all, demanding sports in a global pandemic would be nothing short of half-witted (read the room, bruh). Wanting it more than ever, though, that’s entirely reasonable.
We’ve sat back and swallowed the hard pill that is a sports-less society day in and day out. And, I’ve got to be honest with you, it sucks. Not only does it remove something many of us rely on for a necessary dopamine rush, but it takes away one massive medium where some of the world’s trouble can be further digested. In the midst of a social justice movement and a health crisis, sports can serve as a prime example of what to do and how to act. People look up to these athletes, and there’s no doubt in my mind professional sports leagues can impact the greater good.
With the said – at the end of the day – life is stressful right now, and I’m ready to let a basketball serve as my stress ball.
I’ll wrap things up with this quote from Charles Barkley: “I’ve had enough of reality, I need some sports.”
Game Info
Game 1: Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans at 5:30 p.m. CT on TNT
Game 2: Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers at 8:00 p.m. CT on TNT
Game 1
Utah Jazz:
Projected Starters
1. Mike Conley
2. Donovan Mitchell
3. Royce O’Neal
4. Joe Ingles
5. Rudy Gobert
New Orleans Pelicans:
Projected Starters
1. Lonzo Ball
2. Jrue Holiday
3. Brandon Ingram
4. Zion Williamson
5. Derrick Favors
Things to keep in mind:
• Zion Williamson had to leave the bubble due to a family emergency on July 16th but returned last Friday. His availability for this game was in question, but all signs point to him playing. As for the Jazz, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell were reportedly on rough terms after Gobert failed to take COVID-19 concerns to heart back in March. Questions remain about how this could impact the team and on-court chemistry in the bubble, but chances are its business as usual. Additionally, the Jazz are missing Bojan Bogdanovic, who underwent season-ending wrist surgery in May.
Game 2
Los Angeles Lakers:
Projected Starters
1. LeBron James
2. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
3. Danny Green
4. Anthony Davis
5. JaVale McGee
Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Starters
1. Patrick Beverley
2. Paul George
3. Kawhi Leonard
4. Marcus Morris
5. Ivica Zubac
Things to keep in mind:
• The Lakers’ Anthony Davis has been treating an eye injury and is considered a game-time decision. Meanwhile, the Clippers’ Lou Williams is stuck in quarantine for grabbing wings at a gentleman’s club (lol), and Montrezl Harrell is still away from the teams due to personnel reasons.