So if Gordon can keep LeBron in check or at least turn him into a facilitator more than a scorer, then that's a plus for Denver. This may become the biggest key in the series, because we already know Davis is likely going to feast with Jokic guarding him. The Lakers are going to set so many screens to try and get Gordon off LeBron, and try to get Jokic thrown into switches, giving LeBron a green light toward the rim. But while Gordon is equipped to guard LeBron, doesn't mean it's going to be easy. Gordon's athleticism should also help him in this battle, especially as LeBron tries to get downhill.
Though Grant and Gordon are the same height, Gordon is far stronger than Grant making him an ideal person to guard LeBron. In 2020, that role of defending James was filled by Jerami Grant, another capable defender, but too small to really make an impact. He contained Karl-Anthony Towns in the first round, limited Kevin Durant from going supernova in the conference semifinals, and now he'll have his toughest test yet in trying to check LeBron James. One of the underrated aspects about Denver's success in the playoffs so far has been Gordon's defense. There really isn't a surefire option here for the Lakers this time around, and if they aren't able to figure out who else can guard Jokic aside from Davis, then the Nuggets will have the upper hand in this series. The Lakers could try and go smaller with Vanderbilt, but his lack of being an offensive threat won't bode well for L.A. Mo Bamba is another option, though he will likely get bullied in the paint by Jokic. can throw at Jokic for the objective of getting Davis some rest.
Thompson won't be able to stop Jokic, but he's a fresh body L.A. This may be where we see some spot minutes from Tristan Thompson, who the team signed just ahead of the postseason likely for a situation like this. The physicality that Jokic plays with can tire guys out, and when that happens to Davis, Lakers coach Darvin Ham is going to need to figure out who he can rely upon to fill that void when A.D. That same tactic might not work this time around, because outside of Davis, the Lakers don't really have the luxury of extra bigs who they can afford to take over defending Jokic if A.D. Between Davis, Dwight Howard and even JaVale McGee, the Lakers had several guys to wear Jokic down over the course of the series. succeeded in 2020 against Denver was because they had other guys who could get physical enough with Jokic and make him uncomfortable. Lakers don't have as many bodies to throw at Jokic If that doesn't work, then the Nuggets could be in trouble. So the best they can hope for is limiting everyone else and forcing A.D. The Lakers don't have the perimeter shooters that they did in 2020, so Denver may decide to leave someone like Jarred Vanderbilt or Dennis Schroder open to apply more pressure on Davis.īottom line is, Denver doesn't have the personnel to match up with Davis, which was the same issue they had in 2020. If the Nuggets try to send help defense at Davis, he's a high-IQ passer and will find the open man either on a backdoor cut to the rim or dish it back out to the perimeter. With that in mind, as we get ready for the Lakers and Nuggets to face off once again, let's break down five of the top similarities and differences between the bubble matchup and what we're about to witness in the 2023 Western Conference finals. Roster construction is the most obvious difference between now and the 2020 Western Conference finals, but there's quite a few important ones that could shape this series. where the only ones around for the previous postseason meeting between Denver and L.A. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the only two holdovers from the Lakers' 2020 championship team, while Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. But while it's natural to compare the two meetings in trying to draw conclusions about what we're about to see, it's pretty clear that the differences outweigh the similarities in this upcoming series.įor starters, only a handful of players remain the same on both sides.
#2020 eastern conference finals series
would go on to win the series and eventually beat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.įunny enough, the Eastern Conference finals is also a rematch of the 2020 bubble between the Heat and Celtics, so there's some real Groundhog Day stuff happening right now in the NBA. When the NBA decided to resume its halted season due to the COVID pandemic in Orlando, the Nuggets and Lakers battled it out in five games where L.A.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets will meet in the Western Conference finals on Tuesday, and if you're feeling a bit of deja vu, that's because these two teams met in the conference finals back in 2020.
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