LeBron James was impressed by Nuggets’ forward Michael Porter Jr.’s offensive efficiency after their 2024 first-round series. LeBron openly called Porter a laser and wondered why Porter seems to not miss shots when matching up against the Lakers.
“Michael Porter Jr. is a f***ing laser. I don’t know if it’s because he sees the Lakers or gold, or whatever, I feel like versus us, that motherf***er don’t miss. There was a game where he literally did not miss. I was like, ‘You can’t even close the gap.'”
LeBron on MPJ vs the Lakers
“I feel like versus us that mf don’t miss”😭😭 pic.twitter.com/yhQp5REkGa
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) May 8, 2024
Porter Jr. had a great first-round performance against the Lakers, averaging 22.8 points on 55.3% from the field and 48.8% from three as the Nuggets’ third option. Even if the Lakers could figure out how to limit Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, Porter Jr. is the kind of offensive talent to drag them back into the game with his surgical scoring ability.
Porter averaged 16.7 points on 48.4% from the field and 39.7% from three in the regular season. He’s struggled in the two playoff games against the Timberwolves, averaging 14.5 points on 40.0% from the field and 35.7% from three.
LeBron did outperform Porter Jr. by averaging 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists on 56.6% shooting from the field and 28.5% from three. Despite the performance, he’d rather have smaller numbers and the series win. James is also still the No. 1 option in LA despite completing his 21st season as compared to MPJ being a third option in his prime.
LeBron James Was Upset About The Lakers 4-1 Series Loss
The Nuggets won this matchup against the Lakers through a comprehensive 4-1 series triumph. LeBron gave his candid thoughts on the same on the Mind The Game podcast with JJ Redick.
“Going against the defending champions in the first round is always going to be a difficult challenge. We knew that coming into it. But, f**k, we had so many opportunities, man, you know, and to lose in five, two of them being game-winners by, you know, Jamal, you know, his greatness. But we had so many opportunities.”
James didn’t make any excuses for the loss and said that the Nuggets deserve all the credit they’re getting.
“But f**k, man, I feel like, you know, a couple plays here, a couple plays there. You know, we could have won the series, but the better team won. The better team won, for sure. Give credit where credit is due.”
Unfortunately, the Lakers showed vulnerabilities in the Nuggets offense, enjoying big leads in all five games before their offense slowly brought them back. The Nuggets are currently facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have the defensive personnel to stop the Nuggets.
They already showed they could do that in Game 2 by restricting the Nuggets to 80 points for the lowest points score of this playoffs. The Lakers had great defensive moments but they couldn’t expect to consistently match up with Denver over 48 minutes while having an inferior roster and a coach who struggled to counter opposing coaches with in-game adjustments.
The next Lakers head coach will have their task cut out for them, but hopefully, LeBron will support them and allow them to take control of the locker room to build a winner.
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