First Andrew Bogut got the ring. Then he got the ding. But when all was said and done Golden State got the win.
Bogut and his Warriors sent a warning to every NBA team on Tuesday when they comfortably accounted for the New Orleans Pelicans 111-95 in their 2015/16 regular season opener.
There was speculation the Warriors would be content with last year's title, but after an emotional pre-game ceremony inside a packed Oracle Arena where the team received its championship rings, they proved they were hungry for back-to-back championships.
The only dark cloud came in the third quarter when Bogut, already wearing a face mask to protect a broken nose, clashed heads with Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham.
With blood pouring from a cut above the Australian centre's right eye, Bogut was immediately taken to the locker room for stitches and didn't return.
Cunningham also left the game for concussion testing.
The Warriors showed the magic that led them to 83 wins last season and a 4-2 finals series victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers for the title.
Point guard and last year's NBA MVP Stephen Curry scored 24 points in the first quarter and ended the game with 40 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Bogut was great at both ends of the court with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis had a woeful night, connecting with just four of his 20 field goal attempts for 18 points.
Bogut was angered during the off-season by critics who downplayed the Warriors' title win and in response had his championship ring sized for his middle finger.
He plans to simply lift up his diamond-clad finger to any critic.
Australians featured in all three of the NBA's opening night games.
Dellavedova's Cavaliers, favourites to win the NBA title, stumbled in their opener with star LeBron James failing to score on the last two plays of the game.
The Chicago Bulls, with US president Barack Obama court-side, held on for the 97-95 victory.
Dellavedova had six points, four rebounds and four assists from 20 minutes on the court while the Bulls' Australian power forward Cameron Bairstow stayed on the bench.
Another Boomer, Aron Baynes, helped his new club the Detroit Pistons to an upset 106-94 away win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Baynes, who left the San Antonio Spurs for a three-year, $US20 million contract, scored six points and had five rebounds.
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