Series Thread: 2023 Western Conference Finals: 1) Nuggets vs 7) Lakers (Bubble Rematch)

[ANGELAKERAMS]

DLo sure has played his way out of a bigger contract with his inconsistent play this post season, and his awful play during the WCF.

 

[ANGELAKERAMS]

And now you know why I don’t wear homer goggles in regards to my team.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[broncosmitty]

 

[wildturkey]

DLo sure has played his way out of a bigger contract with his inconsistent play this post season, and his awful play during the WCF.

That's like the only positive of this series so far. He's stunk so bad that if he is brought back*, it will likely be far less than he originally intended. I doubt any team on the market is gonna give him what he's looking for.

*Given the Lakers cap situation, they likely should bring him back if for no other reason than to just be able to use the salary in future trades

 

[wildturkey]

I mean, whatever you gotta tell yourselves, sure. Miami is an underdog. But not Denver. They're the number 1 seed and I've seen just as many people picking them to win (especially the respected people that actually study and watch) than they are the Lakers

 

[msgkings322]

View attachment 329090

Outstanding

 

[msgkings322]

That's like the only positive of this series so far. He's stunk so bad that if he is brought back*, it will likely be far less than he originally intended. I doubt any team on the market is gonna give him what he's looking for.

*Given the Lakers cap situation, they likely should bring him back if for no other reason than to just be able to use the salary in future trades

Precisely what the Warriors used him for, good call

 

[broncosmitty]

Outstanding

 

[tlance]

Said from the jump....bring him off the bench.

Schroder a better defender.

DLo’s role was correct tonight.

He played 20 minutes. Whether that is starting or off the bench is irrelevant.

And again, unless you are going to completely bench him (which would be a mistake) you don’t bring a guy who has started his whole career off the bench unless he is on board.

Starting a guy isn’t a commitment to playing them huge minutes.

The problem tonight for the Lakers was the AD and Reaves were the only 2 who showed up on the offensive end.

It is time to forever put to bed the notion of LeBron as a superstar. He is still a very good player. But he is not elite level in terms of impact anymore. He isn’t best player on championship team level at this stage of his career.

 

[msgkings322]

DLo’s role was correct tonight.

He played 20 minutes. Whether that is starting or off the bench is irrelevant.

And again, unless you are going to completely bench him (which would be a mistake) you don’t bring a guy who has started his whole career off the bench unless he is on board.

Starting a guy isn’t a commitment to playing them huge minutes.

The problem tonight for the Lakers was the AD and Reaves were the only 2 who showed up on the offensive end.

It is time to forever put to bed the notion of LeBron as a superstar. He is still a very good player. But he is not elite level in terms of impact anymore. He isn’t best player on championship team level at this stage of his career.

Reluctantly I have to agree...the role will change sooner rather than later

 

[tlance]

Denver is basically the 00s-10s spurs.. They may not dominate year after year but this is a dynasty make no mistake

Jesus.

Cmon man.

You are worse than that Kawhi/Tatum guy.

Longevity is pretty important for a dynasty.

Maybe let’s see Denver get 1 title, and then try to defend it first.

This is 1 season with tons of parity. And if the Nuggets square off against the Heat in the Finals, it will be a historically weak draw in terms of regular season record for opponents faced.

Suns, Heat and Lakers obviously better than their records suggest, but you continue to get way too far ahead of yourself.

 

[broncosmitty]

DLo’s role was correct tonight.

He played 20 minutes. Whether that is starting or off the bench is irrelevant.

And again, unless you are going to completely bench him (which would be a mistake) you don’t bring a guy who has started his whole career off the bench unless he is on board.

Starting a guy isn’t a commitment to playing them huge minutes.

The problem tonight for the Lakers was the AD and Reaves were the only 2 who showed up on the offensive end.

It is time to forever put to bed the notion of LeBron as a superstar. He is still a very good player. But he is not elite level in terms of impact anymore. He isn’t best player on championship team level at this stage of his career.

He’s losing a series to the best team in basketball. That I’m mostly sure of.

I haven’t seen every minute of his playoff work. I’ve missed some first quarters and quit watching in a blowout or two that he might not have been sitting yet. He has not been flawless. And he couldn’t make a three for like ten quarters.

But he’s been the best player on a team that took out the two seed and the defending champs. And this series has been very competitive.

Tonight was a series changing loss. To an excellent team. It’s not swaying me into thinking he won’t be in a Conference Final again without a home loss in the playoffs prior to game 3. And any team in that situation has a chance at being champions.

 

[tlance]

He’s losing a series to the best team in basketball. That I’m mostly sure of.

I haven’t seen every minute of his playoff work. I’ve missed some first quarters and quit watching in a blowout or two that he might not have been sitting yet. He has not been flawless. And he couldn’t make a three for like ten quarters.

But he’s been the best player on a team that took out the two seed and the defending champs. And this series has been very competitive.

Tonight was a series changing loss. To an excellent team. It’s not swaying me into thinking he won’t be in a Conference Final again without a home loss in the playoffs prior to game 3. And any team in that situation has a chance at being champions.

He isn’t though

Anthony Davis is the Lakers best player when they are playing well.

LeBron is more consistent, but if LeBron is their best they aren’t a contender.

He is 38. He has had an amazing career. Co-GOAT.

But he isn’t among the best of the best anymore in the league today.

 

[DJ Fieri]

He’s not going to retire
But he is going to hold the Lakers back

LOL.

He was a huge reason we made it to the WCF after the trade deadline...

 

[DJ Fieri]

And credit to Denver, Murray and Jokic are legit

This.

It isn't what the Lakers didn't do....the Nuggets are just that damn good.

 

[DJ Fieri]

He has been doing this fade shit all year and it really is time for him to end his illustrious career. Geez, pouting like a schoolgirl does not become you, LeBron.

Pump those brakes on ending his career....

He still a solid #2 guy but he is no longer a #1....doesn't help Ham playing him the mpg he is at his age.

Get surgery on that foot and come back next season.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Jesus.

Cmon man.

You are worse than that Kawhi/Tatum guy.

Longevity is pretty important for a dynasty.

Maybe let’s see Denver get 1 title, and then try to defend it first.

This is 1 season with tons of parity. And if the Nuggets square off against the Heat in the Finals, it will be a historically weak draw in terms of regular season record for opponents faced.

Suns, Heat and Lakers obviously better than their records suggest, but you continue to get way too far ahead of yourself.

Yep.

 

[Ojb81]

Nothing more manly than bowling....

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! I AM!!"

 

[trojanfan12]

Congratulations @HurricaneDij39

Nuggets clearly the better team in the series.

Ill be rooting for them in the Finals

Gonna be a tough call.

On the one hand, I do like seeing teams that have never won a title finally get one.

On the other hand, I love Jimmy Butler and want to see him get his first ring.

Think I'm just gonna hope for a really good 7 game series and be happy for whoever wins.