'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Golden State Warriors' quest for a three-peat started against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Warriors' players received their rings before the start of the game, and the Oracle arena was loud on the opening night.
For the Golden State Warriors, Damian Jones started the game along with the four All-Stars in the absence of DeMarcus Cousins, and the 23-year old impacted the game with his fearless and aggressive approach.
The Thunder did not have guard Russell Westbrook, who underwent a knee procedure late in the off-season. The Warriors dominated the Thunder throughout the game, and registered an easy 108-100 victory at home. Stephen Curry was the highest scorer, and dropped 32 points on 11 of 20 shooting.
Here are three talking points from the champions' season opener:
#3 Klay Thompson fails to perform
After averaging 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds (career-high) and 2.5 assists per game last year, winning his third NBA ring, Klay Thompson started the season with a new look, sporting a beard and long hair.
Thompson struggled on a night when everyone else performed, and went 5-20 from the field with a very low field-goal percentage of 25.0. He could not get it going from his favorite regions, and went 1-8 from downtown.
Although Thompson failed, the rest of the crew delivered, and the Warriors easily held off the Oklahoma City Thunder. As this was just the first game of the season, there is no reason to hit the panic button, as we know that Klay doesn't take a lot of time to turn the tables around, and once he gets it going, he is literally impossible to stop, for even the best of the defensive teams.
#2 Damian Jones shows what he is capable of doing
With All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins still recovering from injury, huge responsibility is on the shoulders of Damian Jones, and he needs to handle the load for the Warriors to enjoy the same amount of success that they have over the years.
It is to be noted that the position that has been dominated by veterans for the last few years in the form of David West, Zaza Pachulia and McGee, is now currently open for youngsters like Damian Jones, Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell.
The 23-year old made his first start in the NBA on season opener night, and had an incredible game. He scored 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field and dominated in the paint fearlessly. Jones did pretty much everything, from catching lobs on multiple occasions, blocking multiple shots to dishing out assists.
He also had 3 blocks and protected the paint really well. The young center definitely gave the Warriors fans enough reasons to smile, and he showed signs that he is ready to take care of business in Cousins' absence.
#1 Stephen Curry is back with a bang
Stephen Curry started the proceedings by knocking a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Warriors the early lead. Curry was very efficient and went for 11-20 from the field with a field-goal percentage of 55.0. He was also red-hot from distance, and shot 5-9 from downtown.
He showed his skills and was effective passing the ball, dishing out 9 dimes. The unanimous MVP used his handles to get into the lane and score buckets effortlessly. With 2:54 left in the first quarter, Steph knocked down an open 3-pointer and extended the lead to 10.
He was in his element the entire game, and dismantled the Thunder defense. Particularly in pick-and-roll, Curry was really efficient, and executed it to perfection with center Damian Jones on several occasions. The 5-time All-Star also had 8 rebounds and 9 assists on the night.
