NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 superstars that disappointed on opening weekend
The first weekend of the 2018 NBA Playoffs has passed us, with Game 1 of every series in the books. Home teams dominated, winning six of the eight Game 1s.
Unfortunately, the first-day wasn't as entertaining as everybody expected. Two of the four Game 1s on Day 1 ended with a winning margin of more than 20 points. However, if you were to pick even one game out of Day 2, it more than made up for the lack of competitiveness on Day 1.
You expect games to be uber competitive at this time of the year in the NBA calendar. For certain teams, injuries impacted their dexterity. However, the same can't be said for the other teams. Even for the teams that were short-handed, the game wasn't even close 'cause their next go-to player did not perform up to the mark.
With all teams having played one game, we look at the five notable superstars that put up disappointing performances in the opening weekend:
#5 LaMarcus Aldridge
Stat line: 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 24 minutes
The San Antonio Spurs opened Game 1 with a small starting line-up having LaMarcus Aldridge at the center position; many believed he would want to avoid his matchup with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green.
But he didn't do too well even with his new matchup - JaVale McGee. To his credit, he was in foul trouble early on but it's not like he was producing for the Spurs on a consistent basis.
In the absence of Kawhi Leonard, Aldridge led the San Antonio Spurs all season but just like last season in the Conference Finals, he didn't show up in this Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors.
He's got to step-up, take charge and lead front the front. The Spurs are already struggling on offense and if he continues to play like he did in Game 1, this series will end in a disappointing sweep.