While not a must-win scenario, the Los Angeles Lakers really need a win tonight (Game 2) if they want to avoid falling too far behind in this series. According to many Lakers fans, the key to success was actually found in Game 1 when Darvin Ham put Rui Hachimura in the game to guard Nikola Jokic and many were hoping to see Rui used in a similar fashion for Game 2.
Interestingly, however, Ham decided against starting Hachimura and instead went back to sliding Vanderbilt into the starting lineup.
Lakers starters for Game 2:
Russell, Reaves, Vanderbilt, LeBron and AD.
Back to a bigger look, with Schröder and Hachimura coming off the bench.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 19, 2023
Ham was reported to be on the fence about the move leading up to the game, but it seems that he ultimately decided against it in the end. We will see how the move impacts the Lakers for Game 2, but there were many who wanted to see Rui as a starter instead.
For the love of me I will never understand why Vanderbilt starts over Rui 😑😑 https://t.co/yiAiAQPUTF
— NBA Best Matchups (@NBABestMatchups) May 19, 2023
starting Vanderbilt because it was too obvious to start Rui? lol. Ham playing chess indeed. https://t.co/nU4XkG35zE
— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) May 19, 2023
darvin ham is quite literally a game behind in this series
why is he making this so complicated ??
guarantee rui starts at some point in this series but dis is annoying as hell https://t.co/SbkCz0VrSr
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) May 19, 2023
dlo and vanderbilt instead of rui and schroder https://t.co/AevJuuEz9j pic.twitter.com/bbJwqxFmOx
— 🃏 (@TOUGHTlME) May 18, 2023
Of course, the results will show who is right in the end but the Lakers better hope it doesn’t take them long to figure out the best rotation. After playing great all season, the Nuggets know who they are and they know that works for them. As a team assembled after the trade deadline, the Lakers don’t have that luxury and it will be a major disadvantage in this series.
Can Lakers Win The Championship?
It’s hard to believe a 7th seed can make a run like this, but that is what’s happening right before our eyes with this Lakers team. While they still have a long way to go, the Lakers seem to have what it takes to go all the way, and LeBron is doing what he can to steer them the right way.
“They’re a better team [than they were in 2020]. Obviously, they’re more experienced. Every game, every matchup allows you to grow as a franchise and as a team, and they’ve done that. We come in with the utmost respect for this team, and I’m looking forward to the matchup.”
Of course, this matchup will ultimately come down to the players, but this series will also be partly decided by Malone and Ham as well, and both coaches are clearly pulling out all the stops to give their teams the best chance to win.
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