Nikola Jokic was the star of the show when the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 in Game 1 of their first-round series. The Lakers had no answer for Jokic, but head coach Darvin Ham revealed after the game that they still have some adjustments they can throw at the Serb, as per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.
“Darvin Ham says the Lakers have a couple more adjustments they’re going to throw at Nikola Jokic. He added the Lakers didn’t want to use all of their adjustments in Game 1.”
That is generally seen as a logical approach, as you don’t want to show your hand right away. In this particular context, though, those comments weren’t ideal.
That victory in Game 1 meant the Nuggets had beaten the Lakers nine times in a row. Jokic was a big reason why they won on Saturday, as he recorded 32 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals.
The Nuggets did not get off to a great start in that contest, though, and the Lakers even led by 12 points at one stage in the first half. If Ham really had some adjustments to throw at Jokic, then that was the time to do it. There is no guarantee the Lakers will be in that position in a game in Denver again in this series and they had to capitalize on that.
There is no adjustment you can make against a player like Jokic that will completely nullify him. You could, though, slow him down a bit for a while before he finds a way to counter it and that might have been enough to win Game 1.
The Lakers could have maybe stolen home-court advantage in the series, and the team would have gotten a huge psychological boost by finally ending that losing streak. Instead, they are now down 1-0.
Lakers Fans Blasted Darvin Ham
Lakers fans were not happy when they saw what Ham had to say, to say the least. They went off on him.
One said Ham must be saving the adjustments for next season.
Saving some for next season.
Brilliant strategy.
— Richard Staple, BSN, RN🇯🇲 (@RichStapless) April 21, 2024
A fan thought there was no adjustment that Ham had hidden.
we've lost 9 straight times…. there's no more adjustments Ham has hidden lol
— Ethan Price (@Paradox_EP) April 21, 2024
One called Ham the worst coach in the league.
https://twitter.com/phillydilly0/status/1781887584861610143
A fan wondered how Ham is a coach in 2024.
How is this dude a coach in 2024
— zaiire 💫 (@_zaiire_) April 21, 2024
One said the Lakers need to throw in a new coach.
How about they throw in a new coach ?
— Drone on a cruise 👾 ☢️ (@Kwintarget) April 21, 2024
Now, Ham has to throw in whatever adjustments he has for Jokic in Game 2. He cannot afford to hold anything back as if the Nuggets go up 2-0, this series is over. You are not going to beat a team four times in five games after losing to them 10 times in a row.
I do expect the Lakers to lose this series regardless of what Ham does, but he could certainly help his chances of holding on to this job if they put up a good fight. While Laker nation and maybe even the likes of LeBron James don’t seem to be Ham’s biggest fans, he has reportedly had the backing of owner Jeanie Buss.
You could make a case for Ham to keep the job if this series goes six or seven games, but if the Lakers get swept again like last year, then you have to think he’d be let go.
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