The opening day of the 2020-21 NBA season is unlike any other. It has been just 71 days since the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship. The Lakers will take on the crosstown rival Clippers in one of the two opening night fixtures on Tuesday.

In the other opening day game, the Golden State Warriors will face the Brooklyn Nets.

In contrast to the Lakers, the Warriors have not played a game since March 10 — 287 days ago.

These differences between teams could play a significant role in the outcome of the season.

The Lakers are favorites to repeat their 2020 win, but as we go deeper into the season, fatigue may set in for a number of returning players.

The team has been busy in the offseason, adding probable starters Marc Gasol, 35, and Wesley Matthews, 34, alongside reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell.

The Lakers’ likely starting line-up of James, Anthony Davis, Gasol, Matthews and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope appears formidable. But an average age of 31.6 years on opening night makes it one of the oldest starting fives in NBA history.

LeBron James will turn 36 just over a week after the season begins, and while he continues to defy the expectations of age that affect the rest of the league, this next season could be the true test of his greatness as a player and as a leader.