D'Angelo Russell sends Lakers fans important message after Game 2 heartbreak https://t.co/nbpApnR5Oe
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 23, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a gut-punching loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2. They were up 20 in the Mile High City only to watch their lead slowly slip away. Jamal Murray hit the game-winning shot over Anthony Davis and left Lakers Nation feeling heartbroken and dejected.
AD sounded off after the game as did other Lakers. They were upset about the officiating, coaching, and losing a tough game to fall behind 0-2 in the series. The Nuggets swept LA on their way to the 2023 championship and have won ten straight over the Lakers. Ham has been a problem, but LeBron James and company must win on Thursday to have any chance in this series.
Monday’s loss was the type that can break a team. The Lakers gave their best effort. LeBron was lights out down the stretch. Davis had 32 points and D’Angelo Russell got hot after a rough Game 1. It would be easy for LA to fold, but D-Lo is not letting that happen.
D’Angelo Russell urges fans not to give up with a positive message
Russell had just 13 points in Game 1 on six of 20 shooting from the field. He made just one of his nine 3-point attempts after struggling in the conference finals series against the Nuggets in 2023. D-Lo has been a key piece for the Lakers all season and head coach Darvin Ham had faith in him heading into Game 2.
Russell responded by hitting six threes, dropping six assists, and finishing with 23 points in 39 minutes of action. He was a crucial part of building the massive lead, and the Lakers outscored Denver by four with him on the floor.
After Monday’s loss, D-Lo made it clear that the LA was going to win this series on his podcast Discord. Fans should not give up. The Nuggets won two games in Denver. The Lakers still just need to steal one game in the Mile High City and take care of business in Los Angeles. Nothing will be easy against the defending champions, but the Lakers have the talent and produced plenty of positives in Game 2.
They need the fan’s help as the series shifts to Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night. Expect a sellout crowd, but the Lakers need them cheering loud for the home team. LeBron James is still elite and Anthony Davis deserves All-NBA consideration. They can win two games in LA and shift the series back to Denver tied at two games apiece. The Lakers need D’Angelo Russell and others to step up too. It will take a total team effort to beat the Nuggets.
This series is far from over. The Los Angeles Lakers desperately need to snap their losing streak against the Nuggets and get on the board. One win could sway things, and the pressure will continue to mount on the defending champs. Can LA take advantage? D-Lo thinks they can. Stay tuned to find out if he is right.
What’s becoming obvious to me is that what the Lakers need for this team to be championship quality is a starting center who can play alongside Anthony Davis in a two-bigs lineup. A player like Myles Turner, Naz Reid, Jonathan Isaac, or Lauri Markannen.
We also need an elite point-of-attack defensive guard whom we can pair with DLO in our starting backcourt. A guard like Jrue Holiday or Alex Caruso or Marcus Smart.
Forget chasing Trae Young or another $40M star who cannot defend and instead look to do exactly what the Boston Celtics did last summer, Find a modern two-way starting center and elite 3&D POA two-way starting shooting guard.
Say LT, what would be the Minimum Salary a team would have to pay him if he just wanted to walk away and join another team?
I think DLO has proven he’s worth >25M/year. He could be worth $30M for the right team in right situation. He’s an elite volume 3-point shooter and high quality playmaker. How he plays the rest of this series will be huge factor though. DLO needs to play big next 2 games.
My bad, I meant LBJ. If he walks what would another team be required to pay him? I mean if says he will play for Warriors for free, I know he can’t do that, but could he take MLE or less if he wanted too?
Like we are used to saying, “Must Win!”