2 Lakers to blame for Game 1 loss to Nuggets in NBA Playoffs https://t.co/Hp6P1laM8u
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 21, 2024
D’Angelo Russell continues his playoff struggles vs. the Nuggets
On a night where the Lakers could’ve benefitted from D’Angelo Russell stepping up and helping James and Davis will the team to a victory, he didn’t show up. Russell seemed flat the whole night, finishing the game with 13 points on 6/20 shooting and only one three-pointer in nine attempts in 41 minutes on the court. Compare that to his play-in tournament performance where he scored 21 points and dished out six assists while hitting five three-pointers in 37 minutes of play. Where was the D’Angelo Russell from New Orleans on Tuesday night? The Lakers really needed the Russell from April 16th, especially when the Nuggets dominated the game in the third quarter, extending their lead to 15 points in the fourth.
Darvin Ham must step his coaching prowess up
Darvin Ham is definitely not popular among Lakers fans. He routinely receives criticism for his questionable lineups, poor timeout management, and refusal to adapt to the opponent’s game plan. All his coaching flaws were evident tonight and on display for millions to see. After leading the Nuggets 33-25 entering the second quarter, Ham put out a lineup that featured Gabe Vincent, D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, Anthony Davis, and Jaxon Hayes. The lineup combination was odd and did nothing to pad their eight-point lead in the opening part of the quarter. Denver was uncharacteristically out of rhythm to start the period but the Lakers, due to Ham’s lineup mismanagement, weren’t able to capitalize.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1782056256150343954
I don’t blame that on Hayes. He actually looked decent out there. Dinwiddie and Vincent together just isn’t smart, they’ve barely played together and with TP as the 3 that lineup got murdered on the glass. Play Hayes with Russell and Reaves (of which one should always play).