mbewane
Knicks: 93 til infinity
So inspired by this thread I finally decided to start watching some of those games I had saved. And I felt like why not share my thoughts
First one was the 1996 opening game for the Lakers, against the Suns
- Shaq's first game as a Laker. First basket was a dunk (the footage starts later, but they show a replay during the game). You can sense the nervousness in his play. His FTs looked way more fluid than later on in his career.
- Derek Fisher first game. Came off the bench very early because Van Exel was in foul trouble, and was very effective right away. I was watching a documentary on the 96 draft a couple of days ago and they were saying he was "NBA ready", they were right
- Kobe Bryant sighting on the bench. DNP because of some injury. A couple of fans chant his name to try to get him in the game though.
- Steve Nash first game. Buried on the Suns bench behind Sam Cassel who gets damn near all the PT despite Kevin Johnson being injured. Doesn't do anything of note.
- Hardly any flopping, or bytching to the refs. Actually not even that many fouls called, and not one technical. Only one barking to the refs was Sam Cassel obviously
- Game goes by fast, just back and forth. And no "take fouls" either. Very few free throws.
-Had totally forgotten about Elden Campbell and Danny Manning. I remembered Wesley Person as a great shooter but he was throwing bricks in this one. Micheal Finley really looking like had the tools to be a great 2 guard.
- Wayman Tisdale wearing goggles. I don't even remember the last player to wear some unless he just had been injured.
- Suns were in a bad spot. This was just after the Barkley to Houston trade so tons of new faces. No continuity. But it was the first game of the season after all, and the Lakers weren't looking that fluid neither.
- Perimeter shooting was trash. Hardly any 3 point attempts. Defense is ok, but overall the offenses are static as hell.
- Those Suns jerseys are still some of the nicest ever.
- Totally forgot players used to come to sit at the commentators' table for the post-game interview.
- The Forum really had a nice specific vibe to it.
Overall not a great game, which is to be expected for the first game of the season for two teams starting something new, but interesting watch.
First one was the 1996 opening game for the Lakers, against the Suns
- Shaq's first game as a Laker. First basket was a dunk (the footage starts later, but they show a replay during the game). You can sense the nervousness in his play. His FTs looked way more fluid than later on in his career.
- Derek Fisher first game. Came off the bench very early because Van Exel was in foul trouble, and was very effective right away. I was watching a documentary on the 96 draft a couple of days ago and they were saying he was "NBA ready", they were right
- Kobe Bryant sighting on the bench. DNP because of some injury. A couple of fans chant his name to try to get him in the game though.
- Steve Nash first game. Buried on the Suns bench behind Sam Cassel who gets damn near all the PT despite Kevin Johnson being injured. Doesn't do anything of note.
- Hardly any flopping, or bytching to the refs. Actually not even that many fouls called, and not one technical. Only one barking to the refs was Sam Cassel obviously
- Game goes by fast, just back and forth. And no "take fouls" either. Very few free throws.
-Had totally forgotten about Elden Campbell and Danny Manning. I remembered Wesley Person as a great shooter but he was throwing bricks in this one. Micheal Finley really looking like had the tools to be a great 2 guard.
- Wayman Tisdale wearing goggles. I don't even remember the last player to wear some unless he just had been injured.
- Suns were in a bad spot. This was just after the Barkley to Houston trade so tons of new faces. No continuity. But it was the first game of the season after all, and the Lakers weren't looking that fluid neither.
- Perimeter shooting was trash. Hardly any 3 point attempts. Defense is ok, but overall the offenses are static as hell.
- Those Suns jerseys are still some of the nicest ever.
- Totally forgot players used to come to sit at the commentators' table for the post-game interview.
- The Forum really had a nice specific vibe to it.
Overall not a great game, which is to be expected for the first game of the season for two teams starting something new, but interesting watch.
slept on trio
