WCF: Lakers vs Nuggets 4-1 Lakers win series!

[iamworthy]

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[Sedale Threatt]

I will say this until I’m blue in the face, but I have been seriously impressed with Vogel and his staff during the playoffs. Long way to go, and things can change in a heartbeat. But they have come up with answers for pretty much everything so far.

[Slava]

That line up with Dwight - AD - LeBron - Caurso - Rondo should have no job working as well in the modern NBA as it did. No real spacing or shooting threat with LeBron being the best shooter but the effort, passing and IQ makes up for it and more.

[iamworthy]

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[Doug_12]

That line up with Dwight - AD - LeBron - Caurso - Rondo should have no job working as well in the modern NBA as it did. No real spacing or shooting threat with LeBron being the best shooter but the effort, passing and IQ makes up for it and more.

Yeah that's pretty impressive though it needs to be noted that some players of the above list are doing surprising things.

Rondo for example is in a very good shooting form. I was really afraid when Bradley not reported to the bubble and thought that we would need to play JR or Dion as Rajon will be unplayable. But all of his skills got elevated since he returned. He gets exposed only a few times and sometimes plays surprisingly good D, his shots are falling, his drives are reminding me to his early 2010's version... and his creation is still invaluable - though that was never a problematic part of his game.

AD is shooting like a few stretch 4s could even just a few years ago. It's not part of his usual repertoire or at least this was not the case until this season.

Dwight also seems to be focused and reminded me of his early season version.

I don't think this lineup would be very good in usual circumstances but right now they have range - combined w/ good creation -, an exceptionally good defense, a good system to play in and last but not least: size

[Dmagic]

Howard was the key tonight, as son as he stepped on the court, the very first play even before the inbounds, he started to battle Jokic and got him out just in a few minutes . After no play at all vs Houston, he showed an amazing vet mentality. Love it.

Kuzma and Green were supposed to be the leaders of the supporting cast, even with both underperforming, we are getting production from Rondo, Dwight, Kieff, KCP, Caruso... and that’s what has me very optimistic about our chances.

ya but yall crazy if you think lakers good enough to sweep

[tamaraw08]

With Denver only beating the Lakers one time and losing the rest, I wouldn’t be surprised if they tweak their lineup like going big, putting Plumlee in lieu of Grant to guard AD, Millsap on Lebron. Paul and Jokic play in the perimeter anyway, and they can put Morris along with Murray at the backcourt.
They’ll try a couple of zone formation to clog the lanes against AD and James.
Malone would heavily lobby for fouls against Dwight. I see Porter playing/shooting better.

[Kilroy]

With Denver only beating the Lakers one time and losing the rest, I wouldn’t be surprised if they tweak their lineup like going big, putting Plumlee in lieu of Grant to guard AD, Millsap on Lebron. Paul and Jokic play in the perimeter anyway, and they can put Morris along with Murray at the backcourt.
They’ll try a couple of zone formation to clog the lanes against AD and James.
Malone would heavily lobby for fouls against Dwight. I see Porter playing/shooting better.

There's a reason they haven't done that already... AD torches Plumlee even worse than he torches Jokic... And Plumlee is even more foul prone... Millsap has no chance on LeBron either, other than in the paint, and if they tried that, we'd just force a switch. If they go with Morris and Murray in the back court, we can go with caruso and KCP or Rondo... We still have Cook on the bench as well, although he's anything but a stopper...

They might try all of that, but I have a feeling if they do, AD's eyes are going to light up...

They might put Bol Bol on AD, which might be interesting, but he's not a vet and I doubt he'd be able to stay in front of AD...

[xb3at band1tx]

Yeah Plumlee is a fouling machine, dude can't help himself.

I'm starting to think Denver's best chance is to just make it a shootout.

[Beethoven]

.A thing im concerned over for the lakers are the floor cleaners crew.

For some reason in some games they don't use the large handled circular mops.
They go out there on knee with a small towel in hand.

This doesn't wipe away all moisture efficiently given the time they have to do it.

I don't want to see LeBron or anyone get hurt


They should REALLY address this

[tamaraw08]

With Denver only beating the Lakers one time and losing the rest, I wouldn’t be surprised if they tweak their lineup like going big, putting Plumlee in lieu of Grant to guard AD, Millsap on Lebron. Paul and Jokic play in the perimeter anyway, and they can put Morris along with Murray at the backcourt.
They’ll try a couple of zone formation to clog the lanes against AD and James.
Malone would heavily lobby for fouls against Dwight. I see Porter playing/shooting better.

There's a reason they haven't done that already... AD torches Plumlee even worse than he torches Jokic... And Plumlee is even more foul prone... Millsap has no chance on LeBron either, other than in the paint, and if they tried that, we'd just force a switch. If they go with Morris and Murray in the back court, we can go with caruso and KCP or Rondo... We still have Cook on the bench as well, although he's anything but a stopper...

They might try all of that, but I have a feeling if they do, AD's eyes are going to light up...

They might put Bol Bol on AD, which might be interesting, but he's not a vet and I doubt he'd be able to stay in front of AD...

Like I said, they have been losing every game vs the Lakers except for one time when Lebron didn't play so they would eventually change their strategies bec it's not working. Yes, Plumlee by himself would have trouble keeping in step and defending AD but like I said, they will try to do a couple of match up zones with him fronting and getting some help from teammates. Lakers and Miami, even the like of the Raptors don't rely much on single coverages most of the time. The idea is to clog the lanes and leave very little room for AD and Lebron to operate inside. Forcing switches works and you can't use it all the time, otherwise, Kawhi would have exploited Murray every Clipper possession.
About Millsap having no chance with Lebron, James shot 47.1% in 9 playoff head to head games vs Paul, and again it's not a case Millsap is guarding him single handedly. BTW, Lebron has been too streaky, actually struggling from 3 the past 6 games, failing to hit abve 35% 4 of the last 6 contests. As a Laker fan, I'm hoping he is due for good shooting game tonight.
Vogel has been pretty good and for all we know, he's been preparing them for any changes in schemes but it's not going to be easy executing bec you rely on too many moving parts.

[Beethoven]

We gotta get ready for a more fueled Jamal and a more cerebral jokic tonite.

[Vae Victus]

Jamal Murray played as well as he could've. He shot super well, but he was getting roasted on D, cuz he's simply a poor defender

Jokic is prolly gonna flop more nad hope to get calls. He cant move faster or jump higher, he can take more shots, but the main issue his defense is poor as hell and he just doesnt have wheels to catch up on the perimeter. If the refs give him the favorable whistle, is the only way to stop DHo and AD from physically dominating him again.

Edit: Also my god, the GB is full of whiny ass bitches. I dont recall the 3rd party fans defending the Clips when the whistles went against them as the catalyst for most of the DEN comeback runs. The refs definitely control the pace and tempo of games, but the better team is able to overcome the swings in momentum of the whistle. The constant crying and mindless hating by everyone is just pathetic.

[EArl]

This should be an interesting game Lets see how Malone adjust. As always the key to the game is disrupting Jokic from being a playmaker. Murray cant win it all by himself. I expect Lebron to be more aggressive today offensively and try to snuff any hope that the Nuggets have of making it a series. This will be a tough game.

[BEazy]

I get the feeling the Nuggets are going to get an absurd amount of foul calls tonight. Gotta weather the storm and pull through.

[BEazy]

Well looks like DG is back to being **** again.

[Crooked-I]

Danny Green sucks.

[Crooked-I]

We're getting good shots, but can't hit ****.

[BEazy]

Really bad start...

[BEazy]

Danny Green with the block? lmaooo