This NBA off-season saw loads of movement, with plenty of stars finding new homes.
With the season officially underway, all those players who were on the move have now made their debuts with their new teams. For some, that can involve an adjustment and nerves, while others just look like a natural fit.
Here is a rating of some of the top players' debuts on their new teams:
Paul George (Celtics) — A+
Many were dumbfounded when the only player the Boston Celtics got in return for Jaylen Brown was the 36-year-old Paul George. However, after that first game, George proved exactly why the Celtics wanted him.
George erupted for a game-high 38 points on 57 per cent shooting in the Celtics’ season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons, marking a franchise record for points scored in a team debut.
He also added five rebounds, three assists and five steals while splashing in seven three-pointers. There was even a point in the third quarter when George splashed in three triples in less than a minute to give Boston a 22-point lead.
Yes, George’s efforts weren’t enough to get the Celtics the victory, but he was easily the best player on the court all game while running-mate Jayson Tatum struggled.
LeBron James (76ers) — A-
LeBron James can impact a game whether he’s scoring or not, and that was evident in Tuesday’s season opener.
The 41-year-old, playing his first game for Philly, posted 14 points on five-of-13 shooting from the field. It wasn't the most spectacular scoring output, but he controlled the game in every other way.
James had nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal and a block. He showed his strengths defensively, as the New York Knicks shot just 37.2 per cent from the field. He did all this while playing 33 minutes, which is plenty for the star in his NBA-record 24th season.
The four-time NBA champion took the reins, controlling the offence on many possessions, and his top-notch basketball IQ allowed the 76ers to score at ease. Plus, he played a huge role in the Sixers knocking off the Knicks on their banner night.
Jaylen Brown (76ers) — A-
LeBron James wasn’t the only Sixers debut on Tuesday, but he did slightly overshadow Jaylen Brown’s first game with Philadelphia. Brown was acquired from the Celtics during the off-season, and was widely expected to become the new focal point of the 76ers offence.
Brown posted 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists, one steal and a block on seven-of-14 shooting from the field and two-of-four from three. Those are solid numbers, even though Philly may like a little more scoring.
However, Brown showed his value elsewhere, especially on the defensive end. The former Finals MVP guarded Jalen Brunson for much of crunch time, and the Knicks superstar was held to just two points in the fourth quarter as the Sixers stole the win. Brown was also a game-high plus-17 in the victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Heat) — A+
Giannis Antetokounmpo plays for the Miami Heat. How weird is that?
What wasn't unusual, however, was that the Greek Freak was an absolute beast in his Heat debut despite a loss to the Timberwolves.
Antetokounmpo had 35 points and six rebounds on 13-of-19 shooting. He was unstoppable and showed Heat fans that they now have one of the best players in the NBA. He became just the second Heat player to score 35-plus points in his team debut, joining none other than James.
A downside to Antetokounmpo’s debut was that he had close to no help on offence, though he still managed to keep Miami in the contest.
Anthony Davis (Wizards) — A+
When someone is injured as often as Anthony Davis, it becomes easy to forget just how dominant he can be when healthy. But Davis did a good job reminding everyone who he is in his Washington Wizards debut.
Davis went off for 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in a win over the Bucks. He did so on 11-of-20 shooting from the field in 34 minutes of action, while becoming the first Wizard in history to achieve 30-plus points and 10-plus boards in his debut.
The 10-time all-star was so dominant that Wizards fans even gave him MVP chants before the end of the first quarter, making for a thrilling start to the Davis-Trae Young era in Washington.
Kawhi Leonard (Raptors) — B+
Raptors fans are over the moon to have Kawhi Leonard back in Toronto, and the team began his second stint with a convincing 43-point beatdown of the Bulls.
However, it wasn’t the most dominating Leonard game fans have ever seen. He had 23 points, six rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes of action for a solid-but-inefficient night from the two-time Finals MVP. Leonard shot five-of-17 from the field and two-of-six from beyond the arc.
Leonard still earns a solid rating, though, thanks to his defensive effort, swiping four steals in the contest. As he continues to find his groove after a shortened training camp and pre-season, the Raptors should expect him to hit his shots more frequently.
LaMelo Ball (Timberwolves) — B+
The LaMelo Ball-Anthony Edwards era is underway in Minnesota, and even though it might not be the cleanest basketball, it’s definitely going to be fun.
Ball posted 21 points, two rebounds and six assists in his Timberwolves debut. However, it was on a very inefficient seven-of-17 shooting from the field and five-of-13 from deep. That’s been the story with Ball throughout his career; he loves to chuck shots, but there was something different about it this time.
The 2021 Rookie of the Year now has an elite pick-and-roll partner in Rudy Gobert, and that was evident in Game 1 with how much space he found consistently throughout the win. Even though Ball tossed up a lot of shots, there weren’t a ton of bad ones, and as time goes on, more and more will likely fall.
Norman Powell (Bulls) — C
It was a puzzling move when Norman Powell decided to join the rebuilding Chicago Bulls after the best season of his career. And it was not a good start for the former Raptor on opening night.
Powell had 15 points, five rebounds and an assist while shooting just three-of-nine from the field and two-of-six from three. He didn’t look like the dominant player of last season that earned him the first all-star nod of his career. The Raptors defence had Powell in shambles, and with such a young roster around him, he didn’t have much support.
Ja Morant (Trail Blazers) — A-
Ja Morant has the chance to rewrite the narrative around his career, and he got off to a smooth start as the Trail Blazers decimated the Suns by 41.
Morant had a very balanced game, posting 14 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals on 75-per-cent shooting. He assumed the role as Portland’s primary ball handler and controlled the offence smoothly.
Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers) — A
Kawhi Leonard wasn’t the only player returning to his old stomping grounds this season; Damian Lillard also returned to Portland after three years away.
Lillard showed the world that Dame Time is still alive and well in his team’s victory as he put up 25 points and six assists while splashing in six treys. He looked back in his groove offensively, and it just looks like the perfect fit to have him back in a Blazers uniform.
Even after a torn Achilles and a year away from basketball, Lillard looked like the fantastic shooter he was known to be in his return to Portland.
Walker Kessler (Lakers) — A+
Look out, NBA: Luka Doncic finally has the centre he’s always needed in Walker Kessler.
The 25-year-old, fresh off signing a four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers, was a freak of nature in his team debut. Kessler put up 26 points and nine rebounds on a perfect 12-of-12 shooting, and added two blocks on the defensive end.
Kessler was also just the perfect match for Doncic as the duo controlled the pick-and-roll game. He found himself so open that he actually had 10 slam dunks in the victory, the most by a Lakers player in a game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003.
Tyler Herro (Bucks) — B-
Tyler Herro is back home as a Milwaukee Buck, but his first game wasn’t all that impressive. The former Sixth Man of the Year did have 24 points, but it was on a rough nine-of-21 shooting from the field and four-of-11 from deep. Not what you want from the guy that was your biggest return for Antetokounmpo.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Bucks) — A
Jaime Jaquez Jr. didn’t get a ton of attention when he was included in the Antetokounmpo trade, but he gave Bucks fans a show in his team debut. Jaquez Jr. had 22 points and seven boards on 67 per cent shooting. He got to his spots and was arguably the Bucks' best offensive player in the loss.
Gradey Dick (Clippers) — B+
Gradey Dick desperately needed a fresh start, and he has that with the Clippers. He put up 12 points in 18 minutes off the bench in his team debut. The former Raptor shot three-of-four from the field and he’ll need to hit his shots to find his place in the NBA.
Julius Randle (Nets) — A+
Julius Randle ending up on the Brooklyn Nets somewhat slipped through the cracks of a loaded NBA off-season, but he let everyone know where he’s at in his team debut. The three-time all-star put up a game-high 33 points and splashed in three treys. He also added eight rebounds, seven assists and a block.
Peyton Watson (Cavaliers) — B+
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Peyton Watson to be a defensive stopper, and he did a solid job of that in Game 1. Watson took over guarding the 76ers' James and Brown, holding them to 17 points on 35 per cent shooting and 21 points on 50 per cent shooting, respectively.
DeMar DeRozan (Nuggets) — B
DeMar DeRozan is entering a new stage of his career, becoming a bench player for the first time since a brief stint in his rookie year. DeRozan is the Nuggets' new sixth man, and it was a promising start. He posted 13 points on five-of-nine shooting in 28 minutes.
