LeBron James debuting for the Lakers in front of some Nike executives and lots of beards. The Golden State Warriors taking on the Westbrooks. The future of the East — Philadelphia and Boston — reigniting one of the best, if somewhat overshadowed, rivalries of basketball’s most important era.
- The Lakers open the season Thursday, Oct. 18, in Portland before James makes his Staples Center debut the following Saturday against Houston.
- The Warriors and the Lakers will play on the NBA’s two biggest days of the regular season — Christmas and MLK Day.
- The top of the Eastern Conference will play in the spotlight again and again and again, with Philadelphia and Boston opening the season schedule Oct.