most electrifying NBA debut

Lost Angel · Post #1 » by **Lost Angel** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:54 pm

who had the most electrifying debut in your opinion? For me, it’s either Blake Griffin or Lamar Odom.

Blake had two insane dunks the very first plays of the game and Odom looked like Magic Johnson with 30+ points

TwitterFingers · Post #2 » by **TwitterFingers** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:18 pm

Zion went ham from 3 lolol

Bloodbather · Post #3 » by **Bloodbather** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:24 pm

Michael Carter-Williams :lol:

The guy peaked in his debut game.

Post #4 » by **Mavrelous** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:27 pm

It's not on the level of Griffin and Zion debuts, but in the highly anticipated Victor Wembenyama debut, hyped up game against another European star in Luka Doncic, little known Derrek Lively II stole the show with 16/10 and +20 leading a comeback win for the Mavs.
If we account for pre season, Victor Wembenyama game against the Warriors was something else...

MakeItSplash · Post #5 » by **MakeItSplash** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:41 pm

Watch on YouTube

Billl · Post #6 » by **Billl** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:44 pm

Going back - wilt busted on the scene with a 43/28 game.

That I actually saw - Isiah Thomas with 31/11.

Mr Peanut · Post #7 » by **Mr Peanut** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:45 pm

Bloodbather wrote:Michael Carter-Williams

The guy peaked in his debut game.

This. Dude was 3 rebounds and 1 steal away from a quadruple double, and led "The Process" Sixers to a win over "The Heatles" who were starting the season looking for a threepeat. It was crazy at the time.

Mr Puddles · Post #8 » by **Mr Puddles** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:47 pm

Bloodbather wrote:Michael Carter-Williams

The guy peaked in his debut game.

22 points, 12 assists, 9 steals, and 7 rebounds, only 1 turnover, on 6/10 fg 4/6 3pfg

His 9 steals set an NBA record for a debut since steals became an official stat in 1973-74.
His 12 assists were the second-most for a rookie in their first NBA game.

dhsilv2 · Post #9 » by **dhsilv2** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:00 pm

Just for all the Jordan fans.

Watch on YouTube

mksp · Post #10 » by **mksp** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:08 pm

Allen Iverson went for 30 and 6 and looked like he was playing a different sport the minute he stepped onto the court.

Iwasawitness · Post #11 » by **Iwasawitness** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:11 pm

Bloodbather wrote:Michael Carter-Williams

The guy peaked in his debut game.

This is the correct answer.

TheGeneral99 · Post #12 » by **TheGeneral99** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:23 pm

Iverson had 30 points and 6 assists.

Kareem had 29 points and 12 rebounds.

Grant Hill had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

Oscar had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Robinson had 23 points and 17 rebounds.

Banchero had 27 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Odom had 30 points and 12 rebounds.

Lillard had 23 points and 11 assists.

Magic 28 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

Bird 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

Griffin 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Optms · Post #13 » by **Optms** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:54 pm

Lebron

He went from playing high school kids to looking like an all-star against an elite NBA team.

Post #14 » by **Capn'O** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:24 pm

Of ones I can remember, LeBron's was the most electrifying. There were sky high expectations for him and for him to come in and beat them right off the bat was unbelievable. Previous HS to NBA stars took a few years before looking like they belonged but he belonged right away. It was clear from the opening tip we were watching an all time great.

GSWFan1994 · Post #15 » by **GSWFan1994** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:29 pm

On October 24, 1959, Wilt Chamberlain had 43 points and 28 rebounds against the New York Knicks in his first NBA game.

That season he was named ROY and MVP, with 38/27/2 averages. Also, MVP of the All-Star game.

Here's a list of players with 40+ point, 20+ rebound games in the 1959/1960 season:

Wilt Chamberlain - 29 games (as a rookie!)
Elgin Baylor - 2 games

Here's a list of rookies with 40+ point, 20+ rebound games in NBA history:

Wilt Chamberlain - 29
Walt Bellamy - 8
Spencer Haywood - 4 (ABA)
Elvin Hayes, Marvin Barnes - 3 (ABA for Barnes)
John Drew, Oscar Robertson, Dan Issel - 2 (ABA for Issel)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob McAdoo, Shaquille O'Neal, Willis Reed, Victor Wembanyama, Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore - 1 (ABA for Erving and Gilmore)

Post #16 » by **Knightro** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:33 pm

LeBron's NBA debut being buried at 10:30pm ET on the East Coast was a crime :lol:

Johnny Fontane · Post #17 » by **Johnny Fontane** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:34 pm

Bloodbather wrote:Michael Carter-Williams

The guy peaked in his debut game.

As a Heat fan I remember this game like it was yesterday. Thought for sure he was destined for greatness :lol:

TheGeneral99 · Post #18 » by **TheGeneral99** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:47 pm

Johnny Fontane wrote:
Bloodbather wrote:Michael Carter-Williams

The guy peaked in his debut game.

As a Heat fan I remember this game like it was yesterday. Thought for sure he was destined for greatness

His entire rookie season impressive - averaged 17, 6 and 6 with 2 steals and won rookie of the year.

Bevzil · Post #19 » by **Bevzil** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:52 pm

Gordan Giriček had a great first game, with 29 points on 10/13 shooting. I remember how excited I was at the time. He never lived up to that debut, but it was fun while it lasted.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200210300MEM.html

Profound23 · Post #20 » by **Profound23** » Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:52 pm

Shaq's debut isn't the best, but when I watched him in his first game I knew Shaq was going to dominate the league.

No clue how many blocks or rebounds but he altered every shot in the paint and appeared to grab every board.