The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t hold up against the Denver Nuggets on the night the Lakers unveiled statues for Kobe Bryant. The 114-106 Nuggets win is their seventh consecutive win over the Lakers, showing the difference in levels between the two franchises.
Fans were not happy about the Lakers being outclassed by the Nuggets once again, especially on Kobe Day.
Back here tomorrow pic.twitter.com/jpXgDVb8d5
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 9, 2024
Fans thought Kobe would call he Lakers soft for the way they collapsed at the end of the fourth quarter.
Kobe watching the Lakers on his Statue night pic.twitter.com/8A2LlcNM1O
— Splenda Poppi (@Regg79816) February 9, 2024
Fans were reminded of how the Lakers also lost their first game after Kobe’s passing.
https://twitter.com/BobbyMlRE/status/1755826145797239275
Fans were frustrated to see how Denver once again outclassed the Lakers with late-game execution.
It’s the same thing. So long as any game is close with Denver they will out execute you.
Lakers can’t figure it out against them on either end of the floor.
— Ry (@JustRyCole) February 9, 2024
The difference between the Lakers and Nuggets as contending teams became even more obvious to fans.
The way the Nuggets just sniff out the Lakers attempted comebacks are crazy. The levels between both teams are very clear and it’s not even close lmaooo
— omo von doom (@yungmustard23) February 9, 2024
Rui Hachimura attracted a lot of hate from fans for his dismal performance even when the team needed him to play big minutes.
37 minutes is nuts when he’s been this bad pic.twitter.com/LtwEy0q4kp
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) February 9, 2024
LeBron James has been one of the best Lakers in fourth quarter and clutch situations, but his inconsistent play down the stretch made fans think LeBron is the primary culprit for the loss.
LeBron really lost this game for LA LMAO
— whristan (@whristan1) February 9, 2024
Some fans were a little too upset that the Lakers lost this game on a night they were honoring Kobe Bryant.
Fuck outta here lakers trash ass team couldn’t even win it for Kobe
— Listen to me (@buckyounfl) February 9, 2024
The Lakers were led by a strong Anthony Davis performance, putting up 32 points with nine rebounds, three steals, and four blocks. LeBron James put up 25 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, but shot 2/8 in the fourth quarter as the Lakers could’ve closed it out.
The Nuggets saw another electric performance from Jamal Murray against the Lakers, scoring 29 points with seven rebounds and 11 assists. He scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and closed the Lakers out with some clutch shots. Nikola Jokic scored 24 points while grabbing 13 rebounds and nine assists. Michael Porter Jr. had 27 points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers Have To Work With What They Have Got
The Lakers were one of the teams in the NBA to not make a single move at the NBA trade deadline, committing to the inconsistent roster we’ve seen all year long. Despite the subtle shots from LeBron James towards the front office, Rob Pelinka has claimed James is okay with finishing the year out with their current roster.
“The last conversation I had with him was that he was focused on the guys in the locker room and making them the best players and teammates they can be. He said after our last game, ‘I love these guys.’ He knows as our leader and captain that building those guys up and getting the best version of those guys is important to the run we will make.”
There wasn’t a move that would’ve made a difference for the Lakers on the market. Overpaying on a fringe All-Star or rotational player now as compared to making a bigger deal in the summer when they have more assets is an easy decision. The only question around the franchise will be if LeBron returns in the summer or chases whichever team drafts his son, Bronny.
Nonetheless, the Lakers have to find a way to at least be competitive till the end of the season, as a lottery pick would likely further boost the Pelicans, as there’s one pick still left to be paid out in the Davis trade from 2019.
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