Nuggets can take this series too. AD will be a challenge for Jokic, but they have long defenders to throw at Lebron and nobody can stop Murray. Also deeper bench goes to Nuggets. I'm going with Nuggets in 7. I believed they could do it against the Clippers so no reason to believe they cannot do it against the Lakers, unless the referees will have something to say about it.
Imagine in the dark poem of 2020 the verse where the Colorado basketball team stands in the way of the Lakers in the year that Kobe died.
If Rondo comes in and plays like he did against Houston then Denver is toast, however, guarding Murray is a whole different challenge than sagging off of Westbrook, goading him into taking a 3 after 3 after 3.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...-nuggets-stack-surprising-west-finals-matchup ^ Really good article, detailing the WCF matchup. Doesn't look good for the Nuggets at all.
Lakers have already gone through the 'struggles' of guarding all-world offensive guards like Dame/CJ and Harden/Westbrook, so I don't think they'll be caught off-guard against Murray. Lakers also have Dwight and McGee to throw at Jokic; the duo were unplayable in the Rockets series, but they suddenly become the two most important players after LeBron and AD. Lakers biggest strength all season has been their bigs. And through the first two series of the WC playoffs, they've gotten experience on how to guard scoring guards. Tough road for the Nuggets.
that's a great point re: the point guards they've faced though I don't think any of them were as hot as Murray has been but I still think the Lakers will make easy work of Denver if Playoff Rondo comes alive. If he doesn't show up it'll be a dogfight.
getting Harris back as a their starter has been huge for Denver. Denver has absolutely fought hard to get to this point. They won't go down easily as long as jokic and murray are playing well
I totally forgot Lebron missed the playoffs entirely last year. What were the excuses then? I forget.
you do understand that the LaL and Clips are two different teams w distinct playing styles / philosophies, no? insofar as defending the 3, LaL have been one of the weaker teams. i look for jokic to shoot more 3s, so too will his teammates
The whole team was injured. Ingram had blood clots. Lonzo just sucked. Plus bron missed a lot of games.
Nah, it's more like rooting for anyone playing the Lakers. I've always hated that franchise. Always! It's like how I have always rooted for the Cowboys' opponents. I'm not jumping on their bandwagon, but I'm sure not rooting for the Cowboys. Never have, never will.
