NBA schedule and results: Thunder top Spurs in season opener

If the NBA All-Star break was happening this weekend, DeMarcus Cousins would have to be in the three-point contest. I’M NOT WRONG.

In Cousins’ first game of the season, a spirited Kings loss to the Clippers, the big man got loose for five open three-point attempts and he hit four of them. Among NBA players who have attempted at least five three-pointers this season, Boogie shoots the best percentage. Again, this is a fact, and I don’t know why you’re looking at me like that.

Ultimately, Griffin scored from everywhere on the floor except beyond the three-point line and was as devastating as ever near the basket.

By now, everybody knows Griffin is more than just a dunker, but many still don’t appreciate the depth of his offensive skills. He’s worked tirelessly on his jump shot and has become one of the most dangerous pick and pop threats in the league. His perimeter game is not limited to shooting, as he can also handle the ball like a guard and knows how to recognize and exploit cracks in the defense.

It’s a big year for the Thunder for a number of reasons. The team is coming off a disappointing injury-marred campaign, changed coaches during the offseason and needs to keep winning to entice Durant, an impending free agent, to re-sign. The stakes are as high in OKC as they are for any other team. The Thunder look ready to take on that challenge after grinding out the victory over an experienced San Antonio team in the opener.

A healthy Durant and Westbrook totally changes the dynamic for the Thunder. A season ago, the team was scrambling in the second half to make the playoffs without KD and fell short in a stacked West despite Westbrook’s individual heroics. This is a more talented and more confident team nowadays. It showed against the Spurs.

Nick Young has a good time playing basketball whether he’s playing well or not. Nick Young has a REALLY good time playing basketball when he is playing well though. He went into full Swaggy P mode after drilling a long three at the end of the first quarter.

Missed you so much, NBA.

A closer look at the play may reveal why the referees made the call. Vucevic was under the basket battling Beal for position as the ball bounced on the rim. It appears the Magic center was actually the first one to make contact:

That would be an offensive basket interference call on Vucevic if the ball was above the cylinder, so the referees must have ruled that the ball was not above the cylinder and Vucevic’s initial contact was legal. The Magic had gotten the offensive rebound, so they were given back the ball after the whistle with the remaining time on the clock.

And then the stare-down to cap it off:

It’s almost like it was personal ...

Nerlens Noel is a very good defensive player in large part to his length and athleticism. He’s also very capable of using those skills on the offensive end and put them on full display here. That is a very smart business decision by Isaiah Thomas to reconsider jumping and just let Noel have his highlight. No one wants to get put on a poster in the season-opener.

AND NOW FOR THE GIF VERSION:

Gordon is one of the big reasons the Magic are considered an up-and-coming team entering the 2015-16 season. He’s a high-flying talent who can crash the boards with unparalleled athleticism. It’s hard to really suggest anything to the defense there other than not to let him get that much space and momentum near the basket.

The 20-year-old forward is known for his defense as much as anything, too. While Gordon will definitely bring value as a rebounder and scorer around the basket on the offensive end, his ability to defend multiple positions and fly around to make plays like this could turn him into a top player:

Welcome back, NBA.

Curry became the first reigning MVP in NBA history to score 40 or more points in the season opener. Curry was on fire from the opening tip. He put up 24 points in the first quarter on 8-of-12 shooting from the field -- 4-of-7 from deep. He put up a measly five points in the second quarter, but got right back to it in the third with 11 points to up his total to 40.