Chapter 8: The NBA’s First Game – A Night to Remember
Staples Center was electric with excitement as nearly 19,000 fans packed the arena for the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers' commentators, Bill Macdonald and Stu Lantz, sat courtside, introducing the Kings' starting lineup to the audience.
"The starting five for the Kings tonight: Oscar Robertson at point guard, Hub Reed at center, Jack Twyman at small forward, Wayne Embry at power forward, and Bob Boozer at shooting guard."
"At this moment, Kings center Hub Reed is stepping into the jump circle against Lakers center Rudy LaRusso. The first possession of the game will set the tone!"
The referee tossed the ball into the air, and Reed tipped it back to Oscar Robertson, officially launching the NBA's first preseason game.
The moment Robertson secured possession, he immediately initiated the attack.
Moving with fluid precision, he directed his teammates into position. Twyman suddenly cut toward the basket, and in one seamless motion, Robertson fired a perfect pass through the defense.
Twyman gathered the ball mid-stride and laid it in off the glass.
The scoreboard flickered—0:2.
Just 10 seconds into the game, the Kings had drawn first blood, silencing the Lakers crowd for a brief moment.
But the Lakers wasted no time.
Frank Selvy inbounded the ball quickly, dribbling up the court before handing it off to Jerry West.
West exploded past his defender, weaving into the paint before gently flipping the ball off the glass for two points.
The crowd erupted in cheers—their hometown Lakers had answered immediately.
The energy in the arena was unlike anything fans had ever experienced.
Most of them had grown up watching three-on-three half-court basketball in the ABA.
But this?
This was a different level of the game.
Dribbling, passing, movement, shooting—it all blended together with such speed and complexity that it left fans in awe.
It was like watching an artist paint on a moving canvas.
And as the minutes ticked by, the action only intensified.
West continued to push the pace, weaving through defenders like a maestro orchestrating a symphony.
Elgin Baylor, one of the most gifted forwards of his generation, put on a show—driving to the basket, hitting fadeaways, and soaring for rebounds.
On the other side, Oscar Robertson was proving why he was considered one of the most versatile players in the game.
He wasn't just scoring—he was also facilitating, rebounding, and controlling the entire tempo of the Kings' offense.
As the game progressed, Staples Center buzzed with excitement.
Fans cheered wildly for dunks, gasped at three-pointers, and held their breath during intense defensive possessions.
In the commentary booth, Bill Macdonald took a moment to share a fun fact with viewers.
*"Many of you have noticed the NBA's red, white, and blue logo. The silhouette in the middle?
That's none other than Jerry West—the man running the floor for the Lakers tonight."*
Stu Lantz chuckled. "We might as well call him 'The Logo' from now on!"
The crowd roared as West sank another jumper.
The Lakers took a 20-15 lead, forcing Kings head coach Charles Wolf to call a timeout.
The moment the whistle blew, the crowd let out a collective groan.
Fans were so immersed in the action that they didn't want the game to stop.
But their disappointment quickly turned into excitement when the Lakers' cheerleaders took the court.
The brightly dressed squad performed a fast-paced dance routine, hyping up the crowd as music blasted through the arena.
Meanwhile, Lakers staff members moved through the stands, handing out free jerseys and team souvenirs.
Fans who received them couldn't believe their luck.
"We got in for free AND got Lakers gear? This is insane!"
"I feel bad… I didn't even pay for this ticket!"
For the first time in their lives, fans were experiencing what a real NBA game felt like.
When the timeout ended, the players returned to the court refreshed and re-energized.
The action intensified, as both teams traded baskets in a back-and-forth battle.
The Lakers' West and Baylor continued their dominant performances, while Robertson kept the Kings competitive with his elite playmaking.
By the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at 30.
During the break between quarters, the Staples Center arena transformed into a stage for entertainment.
First, a team of high-flying dunkers put on a thrilling performance—leaping off trampolines and throwing down insane dunks.
The crowd cheered wildly, loving every second of it.
Then came the fan contests.
Fans were randomly selected from the crowd for various skill challenges, with prizes ranging from team merchandise to cash rewards.
The most anticipated event?
The Lakers' half-court shooting challenge.
One lucky fan was randomly chosen to take a half-court shot for a chance to win $100,000.
When the announcer called his name, Hansen—one of the young men who had entered the arena earlier that evening—was stunned.
His friend Quick slapped him on the back. "Dude, this is your chance!"
Nervously, Hansen walked onto the court.
The entire Staples Center fell silent.
The crowd watched as he took one deep breath, lined up his shot, and launched the ball from half-court.
For a moment, time seemed to slow down.
The ball sailed through the air… then dropped straight through the hoop.
Swish!
The crowd EXPLODED in celebration!
Hansen stood frozen in shock.
The announcer shouted, "HE DID IT! $100,000! Let's hear it for Hansen!"
Fans stood on their feet, cheering and applauding.
Hansen was handed a giant $100,000 check, and he lifted it above his head with the biggest grin imaginable.
He turned toward his seat and waved excitedly at Quick.
"Bro! We're buying Lakers season tickets!"
The atmosphere inside Staples Center was electric—this wasn't just a basketball game.
This was an experience.
The third quarter began, and the battle continued.
The Lakers' home crowd energy fueled their players, helping them pull ahead in the second half.
Fans chanted, cheered, and even performed the famous "human wave" around the arena.
During stoppages, the arena's entertainment team kept the energy alive with games like "Kiss Cam", where couples had to kiss when they appeared on the jumbotron.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Lakers had secured a 95-86 victory.
Jerry West and Elgin Baylor had each scored 27 points, showcasing their dominance.
On the Kings' side, Oscar Robertson recorded an incredible triple-double—30 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.
It was clear—the NBA was filled with elite talent.
As fans began filing out of the arena, they weren't just talking about the score.
They were talking about everything.
"That was the most exciting game I've ever seen!"
"The NBA is so much better than the ABA."
"We HAVE to come back for the regular season!"
For many, this night had changed their view of basketball forever.
Basketball wasn't just a game anymore—it was a spectacle, an event, an unforgettable experience.
And as fans left Staples Center, one thought echoed through their minds:
They couldn't wait for the real season to begin.