The first preseason matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers was a meeting between two of the league’s top defensive teams last season — and for the entire first quarter, it was looking like a pitched defensive battle between two teams who made life difficult for opposing offenses last season.
Make no mistake, most of each team’s difficulties with scoring in the first quarter was due to the usual preseason shenanigans. Rust, lack of chemistry, and a certain level of apathy resulted in turnovers galore.
Still, the defensive schemes employed by each team was still coherent enough to be appreciated.