With most teams having played their first game of the season, here are a couple things that stuck out in my opinion from each game and which player stood out to me from each team (negatively or positively)

Atlanta Hawks 120, Indiana Pacers 109 – Josh Smith 18 points, 8 assists, 5 stls – Danny Granger 31 pts, 4 rebounds.

I think this is the beginning to a huge season for Josh Smith and he can finish as a top 10 fantasy player. I was surprised how long Indiana was in the game but I guess that’s what happens when you make 10 three’s and shoot over 53%.

Orlando Magic 120, Philadelphia 76ers 106 – Dwight Howard 21 points, 15 rebounds – Elton Brand 8 points, 6 rebounds.

So far, same old Brand as he cannot get accustomed to Philly’s run and gun style. An awful second quarter in which the Sixers were outscored by 21 put them in a hole they could never get out of.

Toronto Raptors 101, Cleveland Cavaliers 91 – Andrea Bargnani 28 points, 5 rebounds – Lebron James 23 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists.

Two games in and the King already has one triple double however, the Cavs also have two losses. Right now the Cavs are looking sluggish on both sides and Lebron is not getting any help from the supporting cast. Barganani was a huge matchup problem that Cleveland had no answer for.

Boston Celtics 92, Charlotte Bobcats 59 – Shelden Williams 12 points and 9 rebounds – Gerald Wallace 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Congrats Charlotte! You managed to get in the record books on Day One for the lowest amount of points on opening night in the shot clock era. The Bobcats managed to shoot just 31% went 0-10 from downtown and shot 52% from the charity stripe. Wow. Kudos to Boston for shutting them down but in the words of Ed Lover, “C’mon Son!”

Miami Heat 115, New York Knicks 93 – Jermaine O’Neal 22 points and 12 rebounds – Danilo Gallinari 22 points (7-13 3PT).

For the Heat, it is real nice to see O’Neal get off to a start as he was such a disappointment last year and has been for the past few years. O’Neal is going to be a key for the Heat to win a playoff series. For the Knicks, Gallo did drop 20+ but I have a problem with how he got them. He took one two point shot! If Gallo is going to be this type of player, give me Jason Kapono for less money and I would have drafted Eric Gordon with the 6th overall pick.

Minnesota Timberwolves 95, New Jersey Nets 93 – Johnny Flynn 18 points and 4 rebounds – Terrence Williams 15 points 10 rebounds.

Flynn absolutely tore ish up in the 4th quarter scoring 13 of his 18 points and leading a Timberwolves comeback. I really enjoyed watch Flynn play in his first game and is my runner-up for ROY if Harden doesn’t play as much as I think. Williams was one of three Nets to record double doubles (Lopez and Yi) but his was most surprising. He got his minutes once Jarvis Hayes went out with a hamstring injury and obviously made the most of it.

San Antonio Spurs 113, New Orleans Hornets 96 – Dejuan Blair 14 points and 11 rebounds – Chris Paul 26 points and 9 assists.

Looks like I was right about Blair (hah Nick Malone!) He would have played more if he didn’t commit 4 fouls but in 23 minutes, Blair had a double double and in 6 minutes, he had 6 boards. He put up better numbers than Tim Duncan and will be an absolute force. For the Hornets, my oh my, they look awful. Chris Paul is looking for the closest escape route and its no where in sight right now. As Max Caster put it brilliantly last night on Off the Glass, “Anytime your team needs Stephen Jackson to stay in the playoff race, you know your team sucks.”

Oklahoma City Thunder 102, Sacramento Kings 89 – Kevin Durant 25 points and 11 rebounds – Kevin Martin 27 points (5-19 shooting, 14-14 FT).

Durant is off to a solid start and put all the negative talk about how he has a career -7 when he is on the floor by posting a +17. Take that haters! Russell Westbrook continues to impress by posting 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists. The key stat: 2 turnovers. However, they were playing the Kings, and let’s not forget that. Tyreke Evans really struggled in his debut shooting 5-16, kudos to Russ’ for that shutdown D. Long long season for Sacramento follows…

Detroit Pistons 96, Memphis Grizzlies 74 – Ben Gordon 22 points off the bench – O.J. Mayo 9 points (2-12 shooting) 6 rebounds.

While Gordon looked great the Pistons other prized free agent, Charlie Villaneuava did not, scoring just 7 points. Rumors are swirling that the Pistons are looking hard in trading Rip Hamilton so we will keep our eyes on that. The Grizz were just as unimpressive as the Bobcats because they do have scorers who just flat-out were terrible last night. Those die-hard Grizzlies fans are praying for an Iverson sighting, and that can never be a good thing. Stick to BBQ and not basketball, Memphis.

Denver Nuggets 114, Utah Jazz 105 – Carmelo Anthony 30 points 8 rebounds – Deron Williams 28 points and 13 assists.

One of the more entertaining games of the night as both teams went back and forth and some of the game’s elite talent battled it out for 48 minutes. In the end, Williams could not get enough help from his sidekick in Carlos Boozer, just 12 points, than Melo got with his in Chauncey Billups who dropped 25. Also, big ups to Ty Lawson dropping 17 and six dimes in his debut. Here’s to UNC!

Houston Rockets 108, Golden State Warriors 107 – Trevor Ariza 25 points, 5 rebounds – Stephen Curry 14 points, 7 assists, 4 stls.

I hate Don Nelson, officially. Why the hell does Ronny Turiaf start ahead of Anthony Randolph? Can someone please tell me?!? Other than that, Curry scored the team’s final six points to keep the game close but the Rockets made some big stops at the end and pulled out with the win.

Phoenix Suns 109, Los Angeles Clippers 107 – Steve Nash 24 points, 8 assists – Baron Davis 12 points (4-11), 12 assists.

Through two games Davis is shooting 5-21, a stretch that must get turned around especially without Blake Griffin. Nash’s game winning lay-up with 5 seconds was the difference maker as Eric Gordon couldn’t connect on the buzzer beater three.