Luka Doncic didn’t want to get too carried away.
To imply, or even acknowledge, that any aspect of an NBA game against an opponent is effortless could be viewed as disrespectful.
Or just not a genuine reflection of reality.
But watching how the Lakers carved up the Warriors’ helpless defense en route to a 127-105 season-opening victory on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, it was hard not to think about how easy the offense came.
It wasn’t just reflected in the team’s scoring total.
Or the ultra-efficient shooting percentage (56.8%).
Or the fact the team’s “Big 3” of Doncic (28 points), Walker Kessler (26) and Austin Reaves (23) all scored at least 20 points.
It was reflected in the ease in which the Lakers created high-quality scoring opportunities.
“Even if it looks easy, it’s not easy, for sure,” Doncic said. “But that’s just the first game. Our ceiling is even higher.”
The final sentence from Doncic should be a scary thought for the rest of the league.
One of the guiding lights when the Lakers reconstrutred their roster around Doncic, Reaves and Kessler during the offseason was providing coach JJ Redick with a plethora of players who could dribble, pass and shoot.
Players who would not only capitalize on the advantages created by Doncic and Reaves, but also maintain or create new ones within the same possession.
That was on full display against the Warriors, who allowed the Lakers to score over half (66) of their points inside of the paint.
Factor in the Lakers’ free throw shooting (24 of 27), and it was evident that the Warriors couldn’t slow down the blender that was the Lakers’ offense.
It’s how the Lakers shot 61.7% from the field in the first three quarters before garbage time.
The Lakers, who went 11 of 28 on 3-pointers, want to be a higher-volume 3-point shooting team compared to the previous two seasons under Redick.
But they didn’t need to be on Wednesday night because of the quality of looks they created inside of the arc.
“Oh man, it’s beautiful,” Ziaire Williams said. “Sometimes just sitting in the corner, just watching ‘like damn, they just make it look so easy.’ It’s pretty impressive, man. Luka and AR, they’re great playmakers. Walk has a good feel around the rim. It’s a perfect setup, honestly. [There’ll] be a lot more of that to come.”
The list of caveats that can be applied to the season-opening win is almost as long as the number of shots the Lakers made against their in-state rival.
Yes, it was just the first game of the season, and previous years showed you can’t take too much away from a season-opener.
Yes, Kessler won’t have dominant offensive performances that have him listed alongside former Lakers great big men Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal on a nightly basis.
Yes, the Warriors were not only already a smaller team to begin with, but they were also short-handed.
Not every Lakers game will look like Wednesday night.
They can’t.
But the fact the Lakers found that groove as early and quickly as they did is an encouraging sign for what this version of the group can be.
And a reminder of why they shouldn’t be dismissed when it comes to the discussions about the best teams in the West.
