Here are some observations from Wednesday’s slate of games:
• The Milwaukee Bucks might be bad this season, but let's not assume that just yet. They have a deep, intriguing roster with many moving parts and loads of fantasy potential. Jason Kidd, in his first year as the Bucks' coach, used Brandon Knight, Khris Middleton, Jared Dudley, Jabari Parker and Larry Sanders as his starters in the season opener against Charlotte, with O.J. Mayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ersan Ilyasova and John Henson off the bench. Mayo and The Greek Freak played 24 minutes apiece, while Ilyasova and Henson played just 12 each.
• So much attention has been placed on the Detroit Pistons' frontcourt rotation, but it was their point guard rotation that raised eyebrows in the season opener, as D.J. Augustin played 28 minutes off the bench while the starter, Brandon Jennings, logged only 20 minutes. "I thought he was playing better than Brandon, I guess," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told the Detroit Free Press after the game. Hmm . . .
• Norris Cole's first game as the Miami Heat's starting point guard was a huge success (23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, 3-of-7 from 3-point land). If this continues, expect more minutes for Cole and fewer for Mario Chalmers and rookie Shabazz Napier.
• Ed Davis continued to impress with his second-straight big statistical night off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers. The 25-year-old went for 14 points and 9 rebounds, and added 3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. His fantasy stock is soaring like few others at the moment, and the season-ending injury to Julius Randle gives Davis a chance to be the Lakers' primary big man off the bench all season.
• Look for rookie Nik Stauskas to push Ben McLemore for the starting shooting guard spot in Sacramento. After a summer spent working on his game, McLemore missed all five shots and was held scoreless in 26 minutes against the Golden State Warriors.
• All the buzz about Otto Porter Jr. starting in Washington? It didn’t happen on Wednesday, as the Wizards used Garrett Temple in the starting five and used Porter off the bench. In 24 minutes, Porter scored 13 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and made one 3-pointer.
• Alexey Shved provided scoring (18 points), passing (5 assists) and shooting (three 3s) in 24 minutes off the bench for the Philadelphia 76ers. He could be the best offensive player the 76ers have outside of Tony Wroten and Michael Carter-Williams.
• Courtney Lee and Tony Allen started alongside Mike Conley in the Memphis Grizzlies' backcourt, playing 36 and 33 minutes, respectively. That’s meaningful considering that Vince Carter played only 16, Quincy Pondexter 11, and promising rookie first-rounder Jordan Adams didn’t even get in the game.
• Jarrett Jack and Mo Williams both begin the season as reserves, but Jack played 30 minutes the for Brooklyn Nets and Williams logged 26 for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both are key scorers and playmakers off their respective benches.
• In Denver, Timofey Mozgov started ahead of JaVale McGee at center and Danilo Gallinari started ahead of Wilson Chandler at small forward.
• Chris Kaman is going to be a big factor in Portland this year, and that was evident in the opener against Oklahoma City. With Meyers Leonard out, Kaman played 22 minutes while the other reserve bigs -- Joel Freeland and Thomas Robinson -- combined for 8 minutes.
• In Chicago, Kirk Hinrich got the start at shooting guard in place of the injured Jimmy Butler, playing 24 minutes. Tony Snell played 17 minutes off the bench.
News to know: Patrick Beverley left Wednesday’s game early with a hamstring injury. If he misses time, Isaiah Canaan would be next in line to run the point … J.J. Barea's signing with the Dallas Mavericks became official on Wednesday. Jameer Nelson appears to be the clear starter at point guard for now, but the addition of Barea leaves the Mavs with three veterans to share backup duties: Barea, Devin Harris and, once healthy, Raymond Felton … San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich tells the San Antonio Express-News that Kawhi Leonard will travel to Phoenix, adding, “He’s in for Friday.”
