2017 NBA Schedule: Lakers set to host Clippers on October 19 to kick off season
By Keith Rivas
The 2017 NBA Schedule has a battle for Los Angeles brewing on October 19.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers will battle the Clippers to start their 2017 NBA schedule. It’ll be the official NBA regular season debut for point guard Lonzo Ball, and will tell us plenty about the road ahead for both teams.
When it comes to the Lakers, a win — especially a dominant one — will speak volumes to the growth that they’ve undergone as a franchise in just one summer. Also, it’ll give us all a close up perspective on how good Ball could really be for this team.
Additionally, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram are expected to have breakout seasons. If they’re not able to take advantage of what should be a weaker Clippers team, that could be an early red flag.
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In many ways, this gives the fans what they want. For the Clippers, it’ll show them decent competition in Ball and also allow for some light to shine on the post-Chris Paul era. Ever since he was dealt to the Houston Rockets, it’s been unclear what the team’s immediate future will look like.
A goal for the Lakers this season could be the postseason. Guys like Jordan Clarkson see that as a real possibility, but they’ll have a lot to climb to even get to that point. All in all, how Luke Walton handles this season will also tell us what we need to know about him.
It’ll be his second year as a head coach with the Lakers, and possibly the last time he’ll lead a team without an established superstar. Given that there’s so much at stake for the Lakers in the coming summer, it would probably be a good feeling to give a gut punch to your inner city rival.
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan will have to find a way to lead their team without Chris Paul. If they can’t do well against the Lakers in their opening game at Staples Center, that will only make the season feel like more of a drag.
Next: Would It Be Unwise To Trade Jordan Clarkson?
The 2017 NBA schedule did things right. A battle for Los Angeles at stake and two teams on very different roads going head to head for both bragging rights and a step up above the other.