I fully understand AD now. Even why he has yoyo games. He doesnt want that smoke, and has never wanted it. He wants to play in rhythm, and will never really go get the points. Case in point, tonight. If you look at the box score, great. But if you watched him all game, guy man was coasting. He could easily have ended up with 13 pts or 43pts

I think it comes down to Efficiency.
The Nuggets do not faff around, they'd win a close game 9 out of 10 times. And any lead that isn't double digit is basically useless.
The lakers have 2 out of 3 of the best players in the series, however, they lack Efficiency down the stretch. The Nuggets always expose LeBron. He doesn't have the gas to keep up with them for 4 quarters....
It all boils down to AD. LeBron cannot do anything against the Nuggets and its not for lack of trying...

birdman:


Anybody can be cold blooded when up by 10. This was not a convincing win imo. Lakets lost that mental edge in the 3rd as Lebron gassed out and chucked that parking lot 3.

Lol. Non of their wins against you guys have been convincing. But they always win....

Bring out the broom and sweep these losers 4:0. Make everybody rest. Lakers my arse.

Skrrrrrrr:



Lol. Non of their wins against you guys have been convincing. But they always win....

Nuggets always just weathered the first 2 quarters storm and then take control of the game when Lebron is gassed and that's it.

I am still wondering at the wisdom in announcing the US basketball team for the Olympics now. The playoffs are just starting and I bet half of that team would be banged up by the time the playoffs is done. Embiid is down already. What grounds would they now have to get fitting replacements for the Olympics considering the pride of these superstars? Someone like Kyrie that has already voiced his displeasure in their picking a team without trials, I bet he would be declining any offer to replace any guard injured during the playoffs. Most superstars would do likewise.

birdman:


Anybody can be cold blooded when up by 10. This was not a convincing win imo. Lakets lost that mental edge in the 3rd as Lebron gassed out and chucked that parking lot 3.

Did you watch the game? He was the single most important factor in turning the game around in the 2nd quarter.

A key block and 9 pts when they were down 12.

Not a convincing win is a very funny claim to make. A team won with double digits with 0 Free throws in a half. The second fewest free throws in a playoff win ever. Lol woe betide the next Laker fan who cries about officiating

If the win is convincing nko? 9 wins in a row? Anyway that's irrelevant.
No one will preface it with convincing or non convincing. Series has just begun

birdman:


Anybody can be cold blooded when up by 10. This was not a convincing win imo. Lakets lost that mental edge in the 3rd as Lebron gassed out and chucked that parking lot 3.

That's exactly how it happened last year series and this seasons matches.
At this point Denver are playing the Lakers like a Heavyweight champion who takes his time and wait for his killing blow.
Lakers started the game like a house on fire, AD and Lebron especially looked liked a beast in that first half. They matched the Nuggets speed for speed and blitz them at times.
Jokic and the Nuggets bidded their time, they knew it wasn't sustainable. Lebron is 39 he can't keep up that pace and Nuggets are the masters of the fourth quarter.
At this point it's also psychological.
Nuggets wants to beat Lakers any time they meet, psychologically they have instilled that fear and superiority over the Lakers which makes even if they are down by 20, they know they can claw them back.
Lakers and Lebron know. Nuggets are their masters and kryptonite.
It's going to be mission impossible for them to win this series

A40:
Lol he was awful in the elimination games of back to back playoffs though.

It's his team so he's under the most pressure if you ask me. KD's legacy is set, no one thinks he's GOAT tier, I have him as a top 25, he won't dip much lower even if they lose, nobody expects nothing from Beal but Booker is someone that has HOF potential based on his talent and skill level.

It would definitely be quite the bummer if he doesn't make it there but without a ring or another Finals appearance we are looking at potentially another Kevin Johnson scenario (who should be a HOFer IMO)

You are right. Suns better be ready to get down and dirty. I saw Antman playing some bully ball and talking trash to KD, they have guys that can make KD very uncomfortable

Suns have the better offensive game while the Wolves are better defensively.
This series is going to be close.
Booker will go off for 40+ points game in one of the home ties. KD is walking bucket.
Not forgetting Beal and Allen.
Antman had a good game. He's young and talented but he also has tunnel vision at times.
His first instinct is always to go on a dribble and refuses to pass to a better option.
That main man syndrome is the only thing holding him back from reaching his full potential.
But he's still young so he will figure it out most likely

A40:
Did you watch the game? He was the single most important factor in turning the game around in the 2nd quarter.

A key block and 9 pts when they were down 12.

Not a convincing win is a very funny claim to make. A team won with double digits with 0 Free throws in a half. The second fewest free throws in a playoff win ever. Lol woe betide the next Laker fan who cries about officiating

If the win is convincing nko? 9 wins in a row? Anyway that's irrelevant.
No one will preface it with convincing or non convincing. Series has just begun

I know what I saw. If AD steps up they can win this. Tge reason Lebron gassed out early is because AD was passive in the screens he would set for Lebron, and kept deferring to Lebron to take over. This happened all first half. There is no way kcp, mpj and former mr chicago have better firepower than lakers cast!

birdman:


I know what I saw. If AD steps up they can win this. Tge reason Lebron gassed out early is because AD was passive in the screens he would set for Lebron, and kept deferring to Lebron to take over. This happened all first half. There is no way kcp, mpj and former mr chicago have better firepower than lakers cast!

Lol.
Una no dey ever tire. AD was arguably the best player in the game but he still needs to step up.
But when they wins, it's because of LeBron.
Damned if he plays well, damned if he doesn't....

birdman:


I know what I saw. If AD steps up they can win this. Tge reason Lebron gassed out early is because AD was passive in the screens he would set for Lebron, and kept deferring to Lebron to take over. This happened all first half. There is no way kcp, mpj and former mr chicago have better firepower than lakers cast!

Your AD hate no dey necessary today. No one on that roster played better defense and protected the rim better than AD last night. What else do you want him to do?

Ajala is 39, played heavy minutes throughout the regular, as he continued to stat pad, so it is only natural he is gassed out by the first and this will continue and even get worse. Let Ajala also set screens. Let them also call plays for AD. He works his tail off defensively but when the Lakers lose it is because of AD.

Ajala offers nothing on defense, especially transition defense. How about the Lakers Bench? Outside of Reeves, what did bothers contribute? There is a reason the Nuggets swept the Lakers last season and finished 2nd seed this season.

Strong start for my Cs. I have been impressed by the defense more than anything. I am content with Hauser jacking up 3s, especially if he is knocking them down because that is his specialty. The small lineup with Big A has been impressive and the bench with Hauser and Pritchard have been good.

If you wan beat pikin wey fu$$ up.. Beat am small leave am now. Abi you go beat am wan come kill am?

Roland17:
Strong start for my Cs. I have been impressed by the defense more than anything. I am content with Hauser jacking up 3s, especially if he is knocking them down because that is his specialty. The small lineup with Big A has been impressive and the bench with Hauser and Pritchard have been good.

You guys want to kill Heats in game 1?

Make una calm down now.

birdman:


I know what I saw. If AD steps up they can win this. Tge reason Lebron gassed out early is because AD was passive in the screens he would set for Lebron, and kept deferring to Lebron to take over. This happened all first half. There is no way kcp, mpj and former mr chicago have better firepower than lakers cast!

Lol your comments on MPJ makes me strongly doubt that you actually know what you saw.

If AD steps up? To where? If someone with 32/14/5 and only 1 turnover needs to step up

No mention of LeNomad and his killer turnovers, 7 of them. Which is why I've never taken his assists stats seriously btw

No mention of him going ghost mode in the 4th. I know what you are

I'm not here to argue who has better firepower than who. Good that you declare he has better firepower now so there are no excuses by his zealots

larride:


You guys want to kill Heats in game 1?

Make una calm down now.

Only a sweep of the Heat will make it feel better. Again, this team has one goal and that is find its way to the championship. Anything less is failure.

Roland17:


Your AD hate no dey necessary today. No one on that roster played better defense and protected the rim better than AD last night. What else do you want him to do?

Ajala is 39, played heavy minutes throughout the regular, as he continued to stat pad, so it is only natural he is gassed out by the first and this will continue and even get worse. Let Ajala also set screens. Let them also call plays for AD. He works his tail off defensively but when the Lakers lose it is because of AD.

Ajala offers nothing on defense, especially transition defense. How about the Lakers Bench? Outside of Reeves, what did bothers contribute? There is a reason the Nuggets swept the Lakers last season and finished 2nd seed this season.

Outside of being a step daddy there's no more thankless job than playing with Lebron.

Your accomplishments will be glossed over when you win and you will be solely cooked when you lose

I hope that bubble ring was worth the sacrifice for the mental health and peace of mind for AD

If not that I don't want Bronsexuals to have any excuses I for like AD to miss a game or two let me quickly check something.

Cos this AD blame game is becoming absurd. If LeNomad continues getting gassed out whose business? Retirement was invented for a reason. If he's adamant on quenching for court and playing till 50 he will not get any excuses for gassing

No way Martin did not know that was dirty. Fam, you did not jump to win but set your back knowing Tatum was up. Naaa. That play was dirty and I am disappointed the refs did not see it that way.

Clippers balling

Playoff Harden?

Harden balling for that contract!

Is this the same Dallas some people were hyping?

8pts in a full quarter? Wtf

Roland17:


Only a sweep of the Heat will make it feel better. Again, this team has one goal and that is find its way to the championship. Anything less is failure.

You guys should have it easy in the East at least to the conference final.

Mavs are getting cooked.

Man Kyrie is such a fun player. Best handles and finishing 💯

Show me a better ball handler and finisher at the rim….

Kyrie is magic.

Roland17:
Show me a better ball handler and finisher at the rim….

Kyrie is magic.

A real life wizard.

Mavs reduce the deficit to 15. Still a fair bit of time to play

BlueMann:


A real life wizard.

It just looks like an orchestra conducting a choir. The handles are very tight, irrespective of the traffic of bodies that surround him.

Ty Lue brilliant out of a timeout again. Clippers have extended this one again. This one's done imo