We’re back where we belong. Since our last NBA Finals ended With Kobe standing atop the scorer table joining the city of Los Angeles in celebration while the team celebrated around him on the court so many things have come and gone in Laker Nation. Luke Walton went from a key contributor on that tree am to the Laker head coach to Sacramento, Pau Gasol has played for 3 different teams, Phil Jackson took a shot at running the Knickerbockers, Lamar Odom almost died partying in Nevada, Kobe and Gigi tragically passed away this year. Through it all Laker Nation never wavered in its support for the team, critique and criticism is not a loss of fandom or submersion of support. All of this just goes to show that it’s a long way to the top of you want to rock and roll.
- LeBron James putting the nails in the coffin. James turned in a stellar performance to ensure there would be no game 6, to make sure that he and other key Laker vets got the extra rest that can give them an edge against whomever they faced, and most of all to make sure the NBA was put on notice. He joined James Worthy and the as the one if three NBA players to post 35+ points, 15+ rebounds and 10+ assists in a close out playoff game. Historical footnotes aside, LeBron was spectacular. He fed teammates for easy buckets, He had a personal best 16 points in the 4the quarter. The Nuggets has no answer.
- Anthony Davis and his long journey to the precipice of greatness. Playing in the NBA Finals makes you part of a small group of NBA players. Davis carries the Lakers for stretches in last night’s game and during the regular season. Last night he again didn’t rebound like we’re used to but that can perhaps be forgiven in light if two of his teammates grabbing 25 rebounds on their own (James 16, Howard 9). Where he shined was on defense and scoring the balm efficiently when it was needed to stop Denver runs. His 2 steals were great but his block of a Michael Porter Jr. dunk put a stamp on his defense and this series. He hit 2-4 from 3, 8-16 in general. Anthony looks poised, gritty and ready to beast in the NBA Finals. The extra rest might benefit him the most as it’ll allow him to get extra treatment on that ankle he’s tweaked a couple times in the last 2 games.
- Laker starters answering the bell. The other Lakers who start shot 7-12 (2-5 from three), grabbed 10 rebounds, had 2 dimes, 4 big blocks, 2 steals and none had a negative +/- (AD was the only starter with a -1, lol. Misleading stat) They all played 26+ minutes aren’t locked in on defense when they played helping contain the Denver attack.
- The Laker bench. As we entered the playoffs it was largely agreed upon that Kyle Kuzma was the most important player outside of James and Davis. It turns out that the Laker bench is one of our greatest strengths, as it should be for an NBA Finals-bound team. Rondo has returned to a youthful posture and leads the team when James sits or allows him to be an off ball wrecking crew when they share the floor. Markieff Morris has shown versatility, grit and his three point acumen. JaVight McHoward has shown they can start, cone off the bench, sit and cheer or whatever: they’re here to contribute however the team needs. Kyle Kuzma continues to grow, while still streaky with his scoring he’s found some identity on defense and team play. Alex Caruso has impressed with his defensive tenacity, basketball IQ and toughness. Last night Caruso shines brightest off the bench with surgical stroke cuts for buckets, great defense and some in the flow assists. Rondo only played 1: minutes, Kuzma looked a little ‘deer in the headlights’ at times but found ways to be a force. All of that will be needed in the NBA Finals.
- Hats off and high fives for the Denver Nuggets franchise. They’re going to be a problem for a long time. They have two up and coming superstars, a great coach and a bevy of solid role players. I have nothing but admiration for the Denver Nuggets and how they overcame the odds and pundits to get to the Western Conference Finals. They never folded, played with a ton of heart (Jamal Murray gutting it out on one leg should go down in Denver playoff lore) and Jerami Grant showed the NBA he’s more than a role-player and might be the third star Denver needs to sign. I’ve long admired Paul Milsap’s game and wish the plucky vet nothing but the best. Congrats to the Denver Nuggets for reminding us why it’s important that we ply the games and not just go with predictions or hype.
At any rate, it’s on. I can’t deny my excitement and joy both at how we’re playing right now, especially on D, or how close we are to another banner going up in STAPLES. James and Anthony look like a nigh-unstoppable duo right now and we need to ride this wave to four more wins against whomever the East throws at us. Enjoy this, though, Lakerholics. Winning the west isn’t often celebrated by the purple and gold and their fans, it used to be seen as fait accompli. But it’s been so long and we’ve seen a road so dark for so long that this one feels different. So it’s cool to double-point and snap at that person wearing a Laker jersey walking by, smile under your mask, let this shine a little light on our lives during a tough time on Earth.
Great ‘Fiver,’ Jamie.
Can’t argue with LeBron and AD as points 1 and 2. Magic and Kareem, Kobe and Shaq, and now LeBron and AD. Wow!
I think replacing McGee with Howard on the starting lineup was a major factor in the Lakers being able to defuse Jokic and turn what could have been a tough series into another easy one, just as they did in the first two rounds. That’s what championship coaching and team play does. Take challenges and dismantle them.
Bench did come through. Danny Green’s late dagger three and two blocks were huge. AC’s cutting and timely steals were huge. Markieff’s timely threes and defense were huge. There’s definitely moves to be made this offseason to improve the 3-point shooting but guys are stepping up and deserve credit.
My only criticism your credit to JaVight McHoward. The only one of the two who made an on court contribution last night was Dwight Howard, who played 35 minutes and dominated the Nuggets’ superstar center Nikola Jokic. Yes, JaVale was a good soldier on the bench but don’t share Dwight’s credit with JaVale, who once again played terrible for the few minutes Frank gave him. Dwight should start going forward and JaVale should get DNP’s.
Yes, kudos to the Nuggets, who got here to a great extent because of the bubble but will struggle not to regress next year unless there’s another bubble. As great as Murray and Jokic are, they don’t play defense and they’re likely to lose Grant and Millsap. I do love Malone as a coach so we are in agreement there. Just going to be tough for Denver to replicate this season. But congrats for a great playoffs. No, they did not fold. They just got beat by a better team.
LT, who do we match up better against now?
Swear I answered this earlier but the Heat is the easier matchup for the Lakers.
Thanks for keeping the solid fivers coming, Jamie. Great job, man.
The Nuggets have finally reached the end of the road, and this time there was no miraculous comeback from a 3-1 deficit. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, the road ended right there at a subdivision where the mighty Lakers reside with a big sign that warns everyone that there is NO OUTLET in the neighborhood, just right in front of the entrance. So you just know exactly what you are about to face when you roam in that neighborhood.
The only player you didn’t mention was Danny Green. I would like to give him a big shoutout simply because of how he played in this game. He worked hard defensively in this game, but what I was most impressed about was how he was rotating all over the floor on 2nd and 3rd efforts in single possessions. I am not even going to mention the 2 blocked shots and that huge 3 pointer in the 4th quarter. He was just tireless, relentless and the glue that kept the team intact. He was steady throughout the game. Everybody played their part well as a team and this was a great win.
Before the game, I was debating with myself about what kind victory by the Lakers would be much sweeter. A blowout win with the possibility of feeling complacent heading into the finals or a grind out win with the feeling of being battle tested before the finals. I am glad the Lakers won the way they did because they are now battle tested, thanks to the great effort and resilience of the Nuggets, a team that didn’t quit. That made the win sweeter for me than a blowout which would have been great. But to win while being tested is even sweeter and everlasting.
The Lakers finished the game with acrobatic flares and convictions all over the finish line and that could only harden their resolve heading into the finals. LeBron was supperhuman and Anthony Davis always find a way to hurt the Nuggets by eating them alive. Talk about double whammy.
How else could it better. The Lakers have encountered all kinds of obstacles in this playoffs, there’s just about nothing left for them except to feel ready for the final battle. And while the win was great, the more the merrier. 4 more to go.