Game 1, WCF : Los Angeles Lakers #7 @ Denver Nuggets #1 (0-0)

Post #1 » by **THE J0KER** » Sat May 13, 2023 10:04 am

This is "just game 1" of this epic series, but look at the Lakers' road records this playoff against Grizzlies and Warriors where the better-seeded opponent also has a home-court advantage:

GAMES #1: 2-0 100%
GAMES #2: 0-2 0%
GAMES #5: 0-2 0%

The Nuggets need this win!

Post #2 » by **ThunderBolt** » Sat May 13, 2023 2:57 pm

Ok I’m a die hard nuggets fan for the rest of this season. Truth be told I love all the teams in our division except the wolves. This game scares me for Denver. Lebron and AD will be their most rested. This is the kind of game Lebron is still really good at stealing. Game 1 feels much more like a must win for LA than Denver. Nuggets up! Sorry, I modified my “thunder up” cheer because I’m new at this.

skywalker33 · Post #3 » by **skywalker33** » Sat May 13, 2023 3:43 pm

I'm OK with facing the Flakers as long as the refs let them play. I remember a Bubble game where the refs saddled Jokic with some early foul trouble, literally keeping him out of the game so AD could get into his rhythm, could see that happening again. If we don't have refs calling bad games this will be a heckuva series, REVENGE is what I would call it.

TunaFish · Post #4 » by **TunaFish** » Sun May 14, 2023 4:05 am

This is a real challenge and the brackets have played out as expected. Two future hall of fame players on the Lakers and at least one on the Nuggets make this an unforgettable series.

If Denver is going to win a championship, there is no better way to do it than by beating the Lakers to get there.

skywalker33 · Post #5 » by **skywalker33** » Sun May 14, 2023 5:59 pm

Being AD is the most athletic C Jokic is facing in this playoffs, wondering if DAJ or Bryant will get some mins in this series? DAJ will be more physical with AD, which is good but he IS more of a plodder now and we'd have to compensate on offense. Bryant could provide a little of both, physicality and scoring, but not sure Malone trusts him. He does have more direct knowledge of AD and the Lakers though

Manolito · Post #6 » by **Manolito** » Mon May 15, 2023 7:33 am

I don't think Davis is able to deal with Jokic full time. Three years ago Howard and McGee made all dirty job, but they don't have any similar profile this season. I would not even be surprised if LeBron guards Jokic for 10-15minutes to have Davis helping from the weak side.

On the other hand, Jokic has traditionally deal surprisingly good with Davis. He is not scoring mid range jumpers this PO (with 27% 3PT), which was the key in the bubble. Game 1 is crucial as they will be well rested, if we beat them we are winning the series for sure

DorianRo · Post #7 » by **DorianRo** » Mon May 15, 2023 9:20 pm

Nuggets in 5. Lakers haven't played anyone even close to the level of current Denver. A draw of the thug, injured worthless Grizzlies and washed up Warriors isn't much of a test to get ready for the Nuggets. They should have kept those big bodies to throw at Joker. Now they have none

Maf · Post #8 » by **Maf** » Tue May 16, 2023 9:26 pm

Here we go... Our fifth WCF, fourth time against Lakers. Can we make a (our) history? Not going to be easy. Usually, we are used to care about their top players, Kobe, Lebron... This Laker team is dangerous in a way that DLO, Schroeder, Reaves, Hachimura, Walker... Not only one of them can get you 20 points game, but two or three can. Even Beasley who barely plays can hit five quick threes.

Let´s hope are guys are ready for this. Go Nuggets!

Maf · Post #9 » by **Maf** » Tue May 16, 2023 9:34 pm

And most importantly- NuggetsWY, hope you are still with us and ejoying the ride. I... really do.

Post #10 » by **THE J0KER** » Tue May 16, 2023 10:31 pm

Maf wrote:Here we go... Our fifth WCF, fourth time against Lakers. Can we make a (our) history? Not going to be easy. Usually, we are used to care about their top players, Kobe, Lebron... This Laker team is dangerous in a way that DLO, Schroeder, Reaves, Hachimura, Walker... Not only one of them can get you 20 points game, but two or three can. Even Beasley who barely plays can hit five quick threes.

Let´s hope are guys are ready for this. Go Nuggets!

In the all previous finals Denver was underdog and lost. For the first time ever Denver is favourite to win the West... so, let it be...

cpower · Post #11 » by **cpower** » Tue May 16, 2023 11:06 pm

hope you guys can win it all this year but you have to go up 2:0 vs lakers. They got the refs so weather the storm is the key here

Post #12 » by **THE J0KER** » Wed May 17, 2023 2:21 am

When Joker makes a triple-double game is over, the referee should blow the whistle!

skywalker33 · Post #13 » by **skywalker33** » Wed May 17, 2023 2:48 am

Jamal just clutchin'

skywalker33 · Post #14 » by **skywalker33** » Wed May 17, 2023 3:08 am

And just as expected, Lakers players 6-8 take over the 4th qtr.Refs SUCK

skywalker33 · Post #15 » by **skywalker33** » Wed May 17, 2023 3:22 am

Love Potion #9

skywalker33 · Post #16 » by **skywalker33** » Wed May 17, 2023 3:26 am

Why the HELL is Murray guarding LeBum EVER ?

Post #17 » by **THE J0KER** » Wed May 17, 2023 3:39 am

At some point, late in the third quarter, Denver leads 20+ and everything seems perfect. But Jokic was a little bit out of gas since that point, apart from our famous 5+1 lineup we have no useful players in offense (only 3 points overall!?), and Malone also can be useless... so we have drama at the end.

But still, an epic win.

skywalker33 · Post #18 » by **skywalker33** » Wed May 17, 2023 3:40 am

Well, at least no more 4 days rest periods for LBJ and AD, we need to take advantage of that. And Reaves can't outshoot KCP in 3-pt shooting anymore this series.

Manolito · Post #19 » by **Manolito** » Wed May 17, 2023 7:26 am

We ran out of stamina the last quarter, which scares me because the series is going to be long with little rest. This is the most physical team we have faced so far. Jeff Green and CB are not ready for such challenge, I insist in having Nnaji out there to bring 12 energy minutes.

LeBron and Davis were so comfortable on the offensive side. We can not switch so easily, we have to make LeBron sweat for every basket. Hachimura is not a 3point shooter, let him shoot, don't believe his fakes. Murray was fantastic on offense, but really poor in defense, maybe the sickness was real. He conceded LeBron all his baskets.

Gordon was very aggressive but poor execution, LAL will let him wide open. KCP was a real X Factor, his championship pedigree is huge in these games.

Summary, we need adjustments on defense, and work on the Hachimura on Jokic with Davis on the help.

skywalker33 · Post #20 » by **skywalker33** » Wed May 17, 2023 8:34 pm

I love how these Flaker morons THINK that they have the Joker figured out, makes me laugh. If he sees a 6'8" Rui guarding him, I post him up, wait until AD tries for the double-team and pass to the open man. I'd also try to get AD's man to try and run a pick to prevent the double, leaving Rui one-on-one, I'll take that matchup all day. If Rui and Joker are on the high post, Jokic has the shooting range to make him pay. It's all about creating mismatches and opportunities, no one is better at that than Joker. Not hard to see him with 15-20 assists in Game 2