The Los Angeles Lakers dealt the Golden State Warriors their first home loss to the purple-and-gold in six years with a 127-101 Christmas Day victory at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, Tuesday.
It is way too early in the NBA season for the Warriors faithful to start fretting. But mounting setbacks in the last two months are reminding fans that in the world’s premier basketball league, abrupt changes in fortune are not a rarity.
On their way to three championships in four years under Coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors have maintained a sterling record through Christmas.
In season ’14-15, they were 23-5; in ’15-16 they were 28-1. They were 27-5 in ’16-17 and 27-7 in ’17-18.
Up to Dec. 25 this season, Golden State was at 23-12.
In a game broadcast live in PH, the Warriors, who had won eight of their last 10 games, were down 19 points at the start of the third quarter before pulling within two after LeBron James left for good with a strained left groin.
But they quickly reverted back to bad habits and got outscored 49-25 in one of their ugliest and most befuddling showings in years for Christmas.
In almost every facet of the game, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and almost every Warrior on the hardcourt labored in the face of non-stop double teaming by the Lakers.
The only consistent player for Oakland was 34-year-old Andre Iguodala, who needed only 12 shots to score 23 points off the bench.
Lakers reserve center Ivica Zubac—thrust into the bright lights with JaVale McGee out with a respiratory infection—posted 18 points and 11 rebounds. Before heading to the locker room, James had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.
The blowout was the Lakers’ biggest statement so far and sort of answered nagging questions about what they will look before year’s end.
Minus James, the Lakers were impressive. At 20-14, they are now just two and a half games out of the top spot in the West.
Straining to speak with a 42 fever, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial told me as far as he can remember, the trade of the tempestuous Terrence Romeo from TNT to San Miguel was the first ever sparked by players clamoring that a trouble and disruptive player be banished, or else.
Marcial said a trade involves a lot of moving parts, but it typically starts when a player asks that he be allowed to play elsewhere.
Dubbed the “healing commissioner,” Marcial says “Romeo is a young man hounded by issues. I intend to talk to him when the Holiday rush is over.”