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Heading into the 2017-18 season, there is plenty of fresh excitement around the Los Angeles Lakers. With the NBA, on Monday afternoon, officially releasing the schedule for the 2017-18 season, here are the five most appealing games on the docket for this upcoming campaign in Hollywood.
Cavaliers @ Lakers – March 11, 2018 – Airs on ESPN at 6:00 P.M PT
Throughout much of the offseason, there has been a growing sense that LeBron James could enter free agency next offseason with the Lakers being the top rumored destination if he were to consider leaving the Cavaliers.
This will provide James with a first-hand look at Ball and what impact he makes on the floor. In essence, it may become a potential on-court pitch for the Lakers to the four-time league MVP to show him what he could join next summer.
Thunder @ Lakers – Feb. 8, 2018 – Airs on TNT at 7:30 P.M. PT
For the last several months, All-Star forward Paul George has been heavily rumored to be interested in joining the Lakers in free agency next summer. Despite being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the chatter hasn't ceased but only grown louder.
Another added wrinkle is that reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook could possibly take the same route as George if he elects to pass on inking the super max deal before the start of next season. What also makes this game more intriguing is that it will take place on the new league-mandated trade deadline, which could potentially see action on that end involving either or both teams making a major move.
Clippers @ Lakers – Oct. 19, 2017 – Airs on TNT at 7:30 P.M. PT
Following months of building anticipation, Ball will get his first official NBA action at Staples Center against the Clippers. This will certainly be a sold out game with the high level of excitement bubbling around the franchise from the arrival of the former UCLA product.
This will be a prime opportunity for Ball to get the Lakers off on the right foot to start the season with a matchup against their fellow Staples Center tenants.
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Nets @ Lakers – Nov. 3, 2017 – Airs on Spectrum Time Warner at 7:30 P.M. PT
D'Angelo Russell doesn't have to wait long to get his first game at Staples Center against his former team. There will be plenty of motivation for Russell to get the better of rookie point guard Lonzo Ball to show what the Lakers are missing out on.
Keep in mind, upon his departure team president Magic Johnson had taken some subtle shots at Russell stating that they needed a leader at the position. The storyline for this game practically writes itself.
76ers @ Lakers – Nov. 15, 2017 – Airs on ESPN at 7:30 P.M. PT
This will be the first official matchup between the top two picks in this year's draft that will pit Ball against fellow rookie point guard Markelle Fultz.
Another layer to this game is the disdain that 76ers center Joel Embiid has toward Ball and his father, LaVar, that has become a major storyline this offseason. Embiid voiced his disgruntlement with LaVar over social media while the Big Baller Brand founder practically called the 23-year-old a nobody in the NBA.
There is more than enough fuel to the fire on both sides to see an entertaining game come about from all of this trash talk beyond just the promising young talent that each team possesses.
