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The 2024 NBA Playoffs tip off with an enticing Western Conference matchup featuring LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets in the first round.
Lou Williams, a 17-year NBA veteran turned NBA analyst, preferred the Pelicans, while also emphasizing the challenge of facing LeBron James, irrespective of his career stage.
Recent history favors Denver, who have decisively outperformed the Lakers in the past few seasons, culminating in a four-game sweep during last year's Western Conference Finals.
Lou Williams was on the show 'Run It Back' where he stated:
"This is going to be a tough one for the Lakers."
Williams's earlier assertion holds true: facing a team led by LeBron James in a playoff scenario is ill-advised. However, Denver finds itself in a distinct position that justifies desiring a matchup with LA for two primary reasons: positional advantages and the Lakers' inconsistent secondary support.
LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets preview
The Nuggets' consistent dominance over the Lakers in recent seasons is widely acknowledged. While each game has been closely contested, the Nuggets consistently emerge victorious.
LA's struggles cannot be solely attributed to a lack of talent; although Denver boasts a superior starting lineup in terms of talent, the Lakers themselves are not deficient in that regard.
Murray poses a formidable challenge for any defender in the league, with a penchant for targeting matchups against D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. In the previous year's Conference Finals, Murray nearly outshone both players single-handedly. Should they meet again, Coach Darvin Ham may opt to deploy an alternate defender to contend with Murray's prowess.
Porter Jr., standing at 6-foot-10 and known for his offensive prowess, presents another matchup nightmare due to his combination of size and shooting prowess. LA faces a challenge in not being able to deploy smaller defenders like Reaves or Russell to counter him effectively. This deficiency often becomes apparent in perimeter defense and rebounding battles.
Moreover, even with maximum efforts from James and Anthony, their impact can be nullified if the supporting cast fails to deliver, a scenario that has unfolded in past matchups against Denver. LA's bench contribution has been notably lacking in recent months.
In contrast, Denver, while not as deep as in previous seasons, can rely on consistent performances from players like Reggie Jackson, Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. Ultimately, the interplay of size and depth could prove decisive in determining the outcome of a potential series.
Guess the Lakers players!
