Editor’s note: Shortly after the end of select NBA games this season, Joe Vardon will offer his “First Thoughts,” a dissection of the important things you should know about what you just watched. These will be a running diary of news, notes, quotes and insight and will include observations gathered from the site of each game. Vardon is covering his sixth NBA season and formally joined The Athletic’s national team in September.



NEW ORLEANS — Nine thoughts from the latest installment of the LeBron-Zion show, a 122-114 win for the Lakers over the New Orleans Pelicans.



We’ve been saying these things about one of them for nearly two decades. And with any luck, we’ll be saying the same things about the other for two decades to come.



LeBron James and Zion Williamson. They may not talk much to each other, but they put on a helluva show.



“That LeBron James is pretty good,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry...