I do agree with the mental block. Though they were tired, you can tell the team is also spinning its wheels trying to figure out what to do when the game gets tight. It’s what makes AD’s comments after the game so damning and ultimately completely sinks Ham and the coaching staff. They should be settling the team down and running plays but instead they are also seem to be like deer in the headlights. It’s frustrating
You can't get literally nothing from your bench. I counted one tough 3 from Prince as the only positive play from a bench player and expect to have the gas to finish. Gabe coming back has totally smashed Spences rhythm and Gabe was awful. Hayes just gets dislodged easier then Rui and Lebron so hes useless even against Gordon inside
I mean yeah AR and Rui missed A three each, but they missed because they hadn’t been a part of any plays the majority of the game. We can’t go whole quarters with two important players getting no plays called for them
That didn't happen in this game from what I saw - Rui missed a ton of makeable shots this game and AR had the ball the usual amount.
It's simple: Denver's gameplan is better and they also execute better than we do. That's all I can say about this matchup. They are just a well-built team that is super consistent. Unlike the Lakers. I think our stars are doing what they can (even Dlo is trying his best in order to redeem himself) but it's just not enough. More importantly, I don't think our guys believe they can win against the Nuggets.
I think AD and Lebron know they can beat Denver because they have before. But guys like Reaves and Rui and others look a bit timid. Prince actually looks ready funny enough. Dinwiddie needs to get involved. I hate our coach, just have to say it. Dlo showed me a lot last night answering the criticisms. He was lights out from three.
I think the Lakers need to play more balanced against Denver to avoid taking it to the clutch in the endgame of the first home game against Denver. It seems like the nerves of Denver players are much better prepared than those of the Lakers, and if the Lakers rely on the endgame again, they might once again lose to Denver
What hurts the most is Denver this season is slightly off than last season. We have beaten ourselves twice this series, we stupidly go away from what works and in both games it resulted in our worst stretch. Hell 20 points up if we won't play defense them just match them bucket for bucket. We win
Not sure where to find the on ball stats for the game, but I don’t remember either Rui or AR having the ball much. Rui had 7 shots and AR had 11 which was lowest among starters, but I don’t think they had the ball much for the game as a whole.
Jamal Murray has been killing the Lakers since the bubble. Might be time to acknowledge, that HE, is the problem? Jokic is great, but Murray is the Laker killer. Blitz that fool in the 4th quarter!! Force him to give up the ball. He's getting into the lane at will, at the end of damn near, all of these games. He thrives on, setting you up for his fall back jumper in the process. Length isn't going to bother him, his favorite shot negates your length. This is why Vanderbilt or AD are easy money for him. Gotta get up in that guy's chest, trap him, I'd rather concede that we can't do anything with him otherwise, or just continue to watch him beat us.
Problem is the same Kobe and Shaq presented. You can't realy blitz Murray because of you do and the ball gets to Jokic he playing 4 on 3 and it's over.
Nah..I see other teams deciding, that Murray isn't going to be allowed, to just have a free reign at the end of games. It can be successful too. Most of the games Denver has lost this season, is when Murray didn't go off, it didn't matter if Jokic did or not.
In this season, Denver's game seems much less strong and threatening than last season, and the Lakers need more composure to take advantage of the opponent's vulnerability and secure victories in at least the next two home games.
AD has actually done a great job on Jokic. The problem is we have Rui on him a bunch and then it's just a feeding frenzy for him. I wish we had a backup center
deandre jordan's corpse gave them five decent minutes in game 1. you can get a big body with a few fouls for a vet min. we chose twigs.
I think the Lakers deservedly lost two games to Denver, and Denver simply demonstrates a higher quality of play, as they did last season. The Lakers can only be saved if they manage to anger Anthony Davis in a good way.