The Los Angeles Lakers are officially headed to Denver to face off against the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. While these teams have faced each other before on this stage, both rosters look very different than they did back in 2020.
Just like last time, the key for the Lakers to win this series is containing the 2x MVP Nikola Jokic. In what has been a dominant run for the Joker so far, it will be an impossible task to slow him down, and head coach Darvin Ham joked before Game 1 that the Lakers might just be better off attempting a kidnapping so Jokic doesn’t show up at all.
On his strategy against Nikola Jokic, Darvin Ham cracks, “Try to catch him out of his house and kidnap him.”
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 15, 2023
Jokic didn’t win the MVP this season, but it may have actually been the best of his career so far. With averages of 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game on 63.2% shooting, there are virtually no weaknesses to his offensive game, and he has elevated his level of play in the postseason so far.
The question is, can he keep it going against the Lakers, who will have Anthony Davis and other big bodies to throw in his face down the stretch?
Can The Lakers Make The NBA Finals?
In the days following February’s trade deadline, it was very clear that this Lakers team has the potential to win it all. With guys like Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell, the supporting cast is finally strong enough to compete with the best of the best.
Even still, this Nuggets team will present the biggest challenge yet for the Lakeshow, and the margin for error will be small.
“It’ll be a good series,” said Draymond Green. “Ultimately, Denver ready, man. I think Denver is ready, like Denver is taking that next step, they’re doing it, we’re watching it, but I think we’re going to have a rerun of 2020 and I think the Lakers will take it. I got the Lakers, I got the Lakers in 6. Closing out at home in six.”
We will see soon enough if the Lakers have what it takes to bring down the top team in the West, but the pressure is on, and every Laker knows what’s at stake this deep into the bracket.
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