The Lakers emerged from their Game 1 loss with causes to really feel semi-good about their circumstances.
But let’s not get loopy with the narrative that they’ve found the adjustment to upset the Nuggets. Because no, Rui Hachimura just isn’t the Nikola Jokic stopper.
We’re absolutely assured Jokic will determine this out.
Here’s what led to this query: Jokic was a monster by three quarters of Denver’s 132-126 victory Tuesday night time, then disappeared when Hachimura drew the task within the fourth. Hachimura, a 6-8 energy ahead, was robust sufficient to maintain Jokic from backing down and imposing his will. It allowed Anthony Davis, who guarded Jokic for a lot of the earlier possessions, to roam as an efficient assist defender.
“I think it was a good plan, and I think the second half, we did a pretty good job on him,” Hachimura stated.
First, there’s a very good probability Jokic was bodily spent by the fourth quarter. He logged 42 minutes, tying a season-high for a regulation recreation, and was everywhere in the court docket whereas accumulating 21 rebounds, 14 assists and 34 factors.
Second, Hachimura just isn’t precisely an elite defender. A bodily presence, certain, however the 25-year-old has at all times struggled with defensive reads and navigating screens. Jokic will discover a strategy to exploit him.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham pretended like he held again defensive schemes as a result of he didn’t wish to reveal the total playbook. Riiiiight. It’s solely the convention finals.
“We didn’t want to go too deep into the in-game adjustments. It’s still that ultimate chess game,” Ham stated. “So, we were comfortable with the results, gave us a chance to get back into the game and it’s one of the things that if we need to go back to it’s there — along with several other things that we didn’t unveil tonight.”
The actual purpose the Lakers ought to really feel extra assured is the Nuggets hit 15 3-pointers at a 47% clip. That’s powerful to maintain, even when the photographs are large open as a result of the defenders are collapsing on Jokic.
Also, the altitude in Denver will get simpler to navigate for the guests after a number of days within the Mile High. Game 2 is Thursday.
FULL PICTURE OF NBA IN ONE NIGHT
After ESPN tried fiercely – and I imply fiercely – to prop up Victor Wembanyama because the superhero to avoid wasting human athletics, all the night and broadcast turned a snapshot of the state of the NBA.
There was the long run, Wembanyama, who was hailed on the printed because the “greatest prospect in the history of team sports.” He’s headed to the Spurs and Gregg Popovich’s life expectancy simply prolonged one other 15 years.
There was the idiot, Ja Morant, who was within the combine to grow to be the following face of the league till he conflated rap movies with actual life. Interviewed by ESPN, commissioner Adam Silver feigned “shock” that Morant once more brandished a gun on video. (You imply a number of days at a rehab heart didn’t really do something? Shocking).
There was the previous, LeBron James, who’s concurrently holding on to greatness and watching it slip by his fingers.
Then there was the current, Jokic, who the system has been reluctant to embrace however now can’t ignore.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com