The Lakers vs. Nuggets first-round series is what everyone wanted to see. A rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals and a new chance for LeBron James and his team to prove they can compete with the best.
Now, since the first two games are in the books, we can look at how the Nuggets have taken a 2-0 lead by focusing on the teams’ Game 2 performances. Thanks to an incredible game-winning shot by Jamal Murray over Anthony Davis, the Nuggets are once again looking like the team to beat this season and are the heavy favorites to make it to the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, the Lakers seem to be on their way out of the playoffs for the second year in a row, as the Nuggets continue to dominate. We have analyzed Game 2 and have come up with five major takeaways.
1. Nikola Jokic Is The Best Player In The World
We will get to Jamal Murray’s game-winner and about how the Lakers blew a 20-point first-half lead to tie the series 1-1 before heading home to Los Angeles. However, we have to start with the best player in the world: Nikola Jokic. He completely dominated in Game 2, using his post moves to score easily in the post and pushing the break when he grabbed rebounds. Posting 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, we are accustomed to Jokic putting up videogame numbers.
As great as Anthony Davis was in Game 2, posting 32 points and 11 rebounds, he could not do what Jokic did in the second half. Davis could not challenge Jokic on the boards or when it came to playmaking, and he had to accept getting bullied down low time and time again. As long as Jokic plays, Denver has a chance to beat anybody.
2. LeBron James Needs To Make The Do-Or-Die Shots To Give The Lakers A Chance
LeBron James, at age 39, was spectacular in Game 2 and has been all season long. However, The King still has to carry a massive burden on his shoulders and needs to come through for his team. As unfair as it is, James needs to be the one to close games for the Lakers every time the chance arises. While he tends to be a playmaker rather than a scorer in crunch time, he needs to score to beat the Nuggets.
James made some comments about the officials and might even place the blame on them, but one thing is for certain: if he nails the open three-pointer with a little over 16 seconds left, the Lakers likely go on to win the game. While we can excuse a player for not making every shot down the stretch, James must make these shots to give his side a chance to win. He was wide open, and despite having a terrific game posting 26 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists that missed shot put the pressure on the Lakers.
3. Jamal Murray Is The Epitome Of Clutch
“Playoff” Jamal is real, and he has proven it time and time again. Murray is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and while he might never make an All-Star Team, his performances skyrocket in the postseason. He had a poor shooting night but somehow still had the confidence to swish a step-back 15-footer over Anthony Davis at the buzzer, which capped a comeback from a 20-point second-half deficit.
Murray went 9-24 from the floor but saved his best performance for last. He went 6-8 in the fourth quarter, dropping 14 points in crunch time. This was no fluke. Murray had incredible performances in the 2020 postseason, averaging 26.5 points per game, and again last year, averaging 26.1 points per game. Murray is the second-best player on the team but is the esteemed closer, meaning the Nuggets will be feared in the clutch this postseason.
4. Nuggets Are The Best All-Around Team In The NBA
The Denver Nuggets will almost certainly make the NBA Finals this postseason if they continue to compete like they do. They finished 5th in offensive rating and 4th in defensive rating this season, and have the best possible start to the postseason with a 2-0 lead against the Lakers. Every player knows their role, the team is built around two stars and coach Mike Malone knows how to get the best out of his guys.
The Nuggets also have no weaknesses as a team. Michael Porter Jr’s three-pointer to tie the game at 95 was simply cold-blooded and it came off some terrific play from Aaron Gordon down low. Gordon did his best to limit the opposing forwards, posting 14 points and seven rebounds in 40 minutes of action and Porter Jr dropped 22 points on 6-10 from deep. Even Christian Braun had his role, with 10 points in 13 minutes off the bench.
There are too many weapons on this Nuggets team and not a single one is bothered by whatever role they are given by coach Malone. Each player competes at their highest level time and time again, and unless another team can find a chink in their armor, it is hard to see them not making the Finals this year.
5. Lakers Do Not Have Enough To Win Around LeBron James And Anthony Davis
We can praise Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the Denver Nuggets until the cows come home. However, we need to be honest about the Lakers: they are simply not good enough to win. LeBron James and Anthony Davis can only do so much, and they each performed. D’Angelo Russell silenced critics by posting 23 points on 7-11 from three, but it still wasn’t enough because the next highest-scorer was Austin Reaves who had nine points.
The Lakers do not have enough star power to compete with the likes of the Denver Nuggets (0-10 record since 2023), and the supporting cast isn’t there. The Lakers won’t be able to defeat the Nuggets, Celtics, or any of the title-favorite teams this postseason and it begs the question: should they go all-in this summer and try to form a Big Three? With the clock ticking on LeBron James’ career, the Lakers need to revamp the roster because they simply aren’t talented or deep enough to win an NBA championship this season.
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