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most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:54 pm
by Lost Angel
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
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:18 pm
by TwitterFingers
Zion went ham from 3 lolol
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:24 pm
by Bloodbather
Michael Carter-Williams

The guy peaked in his debut game.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:27 pm
by Mavrelous
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...
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:41 pm
by MakeItSplash
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:44 pm
by Billl
Going back - wilt busted on the scene with a 43/28 game.
That I actually saw - Isiah Thomas with 31/11.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:45 pm
by Mr Peanut
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.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:47 pm
by Mr Puddles
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.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:00 pm
by dhsilv2
Just for all the Jordan fans.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:08 pm
by mksp
Allen Iverson went for 30 and 6 and looked like he was playing a different sport the minute he stepped onto the court.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:11 pm
by Iwasawitness
Bloodbather wrote:Michael Carter-Williams

The guy peaked in his debut game.
This is the correct answer.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:23 pm
by TheGeneral99
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.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:54 pm
by Optms
Lebron
He went from playing high school kids to looking like an all-star against an elite NBA team.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:24 pm
by Capn'O
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.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:29 pm
by GSWFan1994
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)
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:33 pm
by Knightro
LeBron's NBA debut being buried at 10:30pm ET on the East Coast was a crime

Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:34 pm
by Johnny Fontane
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

Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:47 pm
by TheGeneral99
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.
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:52 pm
by Bevzil
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
Re: most electrifying NBA debut
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 3:52 pm
by Profound23
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.