(2) Nuggets vs. (7) Lakers First Round Playoff Series Thread

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Depends, will LeEPO choke down the stretch again in every 4th quarter like he did last year in the WCF? Way too many turnovers, missed layups, missed 3's, the inability to even pull up with the series on the line and get a shot off = it's mostly LeStatPads fault.
Just facts. LA was in every game last year - go look up LeRoid's numbers for the 4th quarters.

[FultzNationRISE]

Denver won last year's post season, Lakers won this year's in-season.

So it's the two best teams of the last calendar year. Empirically, based on achievement. And the two best players in the world.

We dont need to act like Boston has anything to say about it, Lebron already proved he's their eternal daddy.

So how is this not The Real Finals™?

The answer: It is.


Good luck to both finalists.

[FultzNationRISE]

Depends, will LeEPO choke down the stretch again in every 4th quarter like he did last year in the WCF? Way too many turnovers, missed layups, missed 3's, the inability to even pull up with the series on the line and get a shot off = it's mostly LeStatPads fault.
Just facts. LA was in every game last year - go look up LeRoid's numbers for the 4th quarters.

[WhiteKyrie]

Genetically engineer Michael Jordan in his prime and replace LeBron James

[jlip]

Defensively, attempt to turn them into the Denver "Jokics" as opposed to the Denver "Nuggets". By this, I mean turn Jokic into primarily a scorer, essentially letting him "get his", while limiting his facilitating. Let him average 30+ppg but only ~4ish apg meaning that he is unable to get his team involved like he normally does. Focus on shutting down the other Nuggets players, especially Murray.

[iamgine]

Play very physical against Jokic, hope he gets injured. Just jump dangerously every rebound and loose ball.

[FultzNationRISE]

Defensively, attempt to turn them into the Denver "Jokics" as opposed to the Denver "Nuggets". By this, I mean turn Jokic into primarily a scorer, essentially letting him "get his", while limiting his facilitating. Let him average 30+ppg but only ~4ish apg meaning that he is unable to get his team involved like he normally does. Focus on shutting down the other Nuggets players, especially Murray.

This works against most volume scorers because either their efficiency is ordinary or theyre not great playmakers.

Jokic has the third highest career true shooting % in history, only behind dunk machines Toody and DeAndre Jordan. For context, Steph is 6th, KD is 11th, and Reggie Miller is 18th. Youve got more guys like Clint Capella and Tyson Chandler filling in between.

Also John Collins is somehow… seventh!? That one’s kinda surprising considering he does take jump shots.

Point is Jokic is really one of the last guys you wanna dare to beat you. Of course hes also one of the best ever at playmaking if you try to stop him. So its a pretty dire choice.

[kawhileonard2]

Its like Phoenix and LA in 2021 when Booker put up 47 on Lebron in the closeout despite being the underdog.

[SATAN]

This will be LeBron's second championship run of the season. Gunning for his sixth ring.

[Axe]

@f.a.p.s.

[bladefd]

Murray averaged 21 ppg on way less efficiency in the very next series last year vs Miami... so no... he isn't going to do 33/6/7 on all time sniper splits every single time. He'd be the GOAT if he did.

He always plays good vs Lakers tho. I think it's personal for him due to all of the attention the Lakers get

[AussieSteve]

Defensively, attempt to turn them into the Denver "Jokics" as opposed to the Denver "Nuggets". By this, I mean turn Jokic into primarily a scorer, essentially letting him "get his", while limiting his facilitating. Let him average 30+ppg but only ~4ish apg meaning that he is unable to get his team involved like he normally does. Focus on shutting down the other Nuggets players, especially Murray.

If you let Jokic get the ball down low with single coverage, he's scoring every time. It's a bad plan.

You need to as much as possible keep the ball out of his hands anywhere near the paint. But this is obviously easier said than done.

I think the reality is that the Lakers' perimeter players need to shoot better than the Nuggets'. That's the only way they win.

[Axe]

Via scott foster and his peers to their favor.

[stalkerforlife]

The Lakers are actually more talented.

Would be a shame if the Nuggets upset them.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Care to debate any of my facts, or just post this sophomoric type response? You know he was awful down the stretch in every game.