A few years removed from their 2020 championship run, the Lakers are sitting in a familiar position. Now in the Conference Finals, the remaining four teams are a perfect match to the final four teams during the bubble, including the Lakers, who are set for a rematch against the Denver Nuggets.
While many Lakers fans are confident that their squad can move past these guys again, LeBron James didn’t go that far in his recent chat with the media. Instead, he demonstrated respect for the Nuggets and the body of work they’ve put together all season long.
“They’re a better team. 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.”
LeBron: “we’ve got the ultimate respect for Denver.” pic.twitter.com/o3vJLuotvj
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) May 15, 2023
It sounds like LeBron is determined to avoid unnecessary trash talk, and it’s probably for the best. The Lakers have, of course, looked really solid as a unit heading into this series, but the Nuggets have been the better team all season, and they will not back down against anyone, not even King James.
The biggest difference is probably the roster, which now includes guys like Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Bruce Brown, among other names. There’s also Jamal Murray, who is back to playing at an All-Star level after major shooting struggles. They also have more experience with their previous runs having ended short.
Obviously, the biggest factor of all remains the big fella himself, Nikola Jokic. While his game is still the same as it was years ago, he has gotten even better as a player and leader for his team.
Which Team Will Win The Western Conference Finals?
Ultimately, this series is a true toss-up. Both teams have star power, both teams have depth, and both teams have a balance of shooting, size, and interior defense that will make them difficult to beat. In the end, however, one has to wonder how LeBron James and AD will hold up with so much pressure to step up every game.
“The Lakers have two elite stars in James and Davis and incredible depth, meaning the team is extremely deep with talented players across the board,” wrote Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar. “However, they were the 7th seed for a reason, and the Nuggets have consistently been the team to beat in the West. Denver handled a Phoenix Suns team with two elite stars rather handily, so the Lakers could be in trouble in case James is not able to play 100% every game due to age or Davis struggles with foul trouble. Jokic could be a problem for Los Angeles because they don’t have enough big man depth behind Davis, and if Murray and Porter show up, it will likely be over with the Nuggets making their first Finals appearance.”
The Lakers no doubt already have a game plan for this series, but they will not fall into the trap of underestimating the opponent that’s in front of them. After all these years, LeBron knows better than that…
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