Lakers will get Denver if they win the playin against NO. Sucks but you got to go for it as you can't take a risk with single elimination games
I think we will lose to Denver but I’d honestly rather get it over with. Plus I think there is some validity to the thought of facing them early instead of after a couple of grueling series. We have to go through them to get a title so it doesn’t much matter to me when it happens.
Also, there’s definitely no guarantee we’d beat the Kings who I expect to beat the Warriors. They’ve owned us as much as Nuggets lately.
facing the Nuggets now is a win/win as I see it if we get through them, we'll be serious contenders. if we lose, Ham is probably getting canned.
I'm warming up to the idea of playing the Nuggets in R1 for all the reasons mentioned...end of the day, we put ourselves in this stupid a** position so now we gotta deal with it. You gotta beat the pels first of course, but at this point int he season, I don't want us ducking anybody. I want us to embrace the challenge of facing the defending champs from a year ago, the team that has OWNED us since last year, and the team's coach who has chirped at us the entire time while beating our a****. It's time for us to show what we're made of and have some god damn pride and fight.
We're not beating the Nuggets, IMO. One I would say is this: get 1 of the first 2 in Denver. I know that's common sense, but it changes the landscape of the series, if you're able to get 1, split the series, and head back to Los Angeles. If they go up 2-0 in Denver, it's going to be a short series and it will likely be over in 4 or 5
I agree. If we don't split the 1st 2 games, this series could be another sweep. It's mental with them but they're also just a better team overall. But if AD/Bron can turn back the clock and be the BEST 2 players in the series, we will win. Unfortunately, they BOTH have been badly outplayed by Jokic AND Murray. AD/Bron have to be better than the Nuggets big 2, and I do think that is possible.
I am rooting for the Nuggets! I don’t really care how far we go( which isn’t far ) . Denver is the only team that can stop Boston .
Our match ups with Denver always comes down execution down the stretch. They always execute something like 10 possessions and all of a sudden a tied game becomes 10 point lead. We either improve so we also execute better, come up with adjustments to get stops or a combination of both. I am encouraged that Bron is much healthier than last playoffs and AD is less banged up than usual. What may end up losing us the series is bench points, we just don't have enough productivity from our bench guys. But hey sporting stories can be crazy. Let's go Lakers
I think this team is far better equipped to take on the Nuggets this year compared to last 1) Lebron is in much better health, shooting great, etc. 2) Dinwiddie finally gives the Lakers the ability to play a 5 man lineup with 2 way guys at every position. Rui/AR/AD/LBJ is very switchable and actually matches the Nuggets size wise and athletically. Having a weak link on offense (i.e. Vando, Cam) or Defense (dlo, schroeder was just way too small to contain Murray or handlt he switches) was always the reason Denver able to have that edge in the final 1-2 minutes. 3) Rui has basically turned himself into the Lakers version of MPJ. 3 point shooter who will kill you inside with his size if you put a small on him. Denver should definitely be favored as the Lakers don't have a Dwight type big to counter Jokic but this team has a puncher's chance (Lakers were the last team to take out the Nuggest in the playoffs with a healthy Murray and Jokic: believe!)
if we faced them later, we'd possibly have Vando healthy, and some players that now have some playoff experience under the their belts. Maybe rotations firm up and Ham quits playing checkers.
Take on all comers. If you can't beat them, you weren't going to win anything anyways. If making it to the 2nd round makes you feel better, then you are on or rooting for the wrong team. Championships or bust. In the case of this year? Bust.
Like this idea We are the Lakers and have a potential GOAT leading the squad. It's actually ironic we ended up getting into the top 8, got the best matchup with NOLA instead of PHX, Sac or GS, just so that we get to face the team we would want to avoid. Talk about a scripted NBA This year's pairings are insane actually. Lakers x NOLA, potential Lakers-Denver in R1, Clips-Dallas, Sac-GS in the PI, Bucks-Indiana in R1, Sixers-Miami (loser gets Boston) in the PI. Absolute cinema
