Robert Horry didn’t mince words when critiquing the Los Angeles Lakers’ performance in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets. The former Lakers forward expressed his disappointment with the team’s late-game execution, particularly in their failure to capitalize on what had worked for them earlier in the game.
“LeBron is 39. Yes, he is one of the best players ever to play this game. He had no advantage tonight. That iso at the top got them in trouble. You know why Denver was able to rest on the defensive end They sat there and they waited on LeBron to make his move and then they went in.”
“I love LeBron to death, but to me, that’s not winning basketball. If you own a break going downhill like that, I am fine with it. But when you get stationary at the top—and I know people are going to kill me for saying this because I’m talking about LeBron James—it’s basketball.” (3:29)
Our 'Access SportsNet' crew on the Lakers' blowing a 20-point lead in Game 2 against the Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/oVx1tj5Utx
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 23, 2024
Horry singled out LeBron James for his approach to the offense in the second half, emphasizing that deviating from their successful strategies was not conducive to winning basketball.
Horry’s assessment highlighted the Lakers’ missed opportunity to maintain their early momentum, which saw them build a commanding 20-point lead in the first half.
Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell were instrumental in the Lakers’ strong start, with Davis dominating in the paint and Russell providing crucial scoring from beyond the arc. However, as the game progressed, the Lakers struggled to sustain their offensive rhythm and allowed the Nuggets to claw their way back into contention.
Despite LeBron James’s efforts to rally the team in the fourth quarter, including a late surge in scoring, the Lakers ultimately faltered in the face of Denver’s relentless pressure. Horry pointed to the Lakers’ inability to adapt and revert to their successful game plan as a key factor in their downfall.
The loss marked the Lakers’ 10th consecutive defeat to the Nuggets, underscoring the team’s ongoing struggles against their Western Conference rivals. While the Lakers showcased moments of brilliance, particularly from Davis, Russell, and James, their inability to close out the game highlighted lingering issues with late-game execution and discipline.
As the Lakers look to regroup and mount a comeback in the series, they must address their shortcomings and refocus on executing their game plan consistently for the full duration of the contest. With Denver proving to be a formidable opponent, the Lakers must rise to the occasion and find solutions to overcome their persistent struggles against the Nuggets.
The Lakers Moved Away From A Winning Set Of Plays
In Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged from the first half with a commanding 15-point lead. As the third quarter commenced, they wasted no time in deploying their most effective offensive weapon: the high-screen pick-and-roll featuring Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Recognizing the success of this play in the first half, the Lakers sought to capitalize on their momentum and further exploit the Nuggets’ defensive vulnerabilities. Davis, with his exceptional athleticism and scoring ability, paired seamlessly with James, the master facilitator, to create mismatches and generate high-percentage scoring opportunities.
The Lakers’ commitment to this winning set of plays paid immediate dividends, as they surged ahead to extend their lead to an imposing 20 points. With Davis rolling hard to the rim and James making pinpoint passes or exploiting openings for his own scoring, the Lakers’ offense operated with precision and efficiency.
However, despite the effectiveness of their pick-and-roll game, the Lakers inexplicably abandoned this strategy as the game progressed. Instead of continuing to exploit the Nuggets’ defensive weaknesses with their bread-and-butter play, they veered away from what had been working and experimented with alternative offensive schemes.
This departure from their winning formula proved detrimental, as it allowed the Nuggets to gain traction and mount a comeback. Without the steady flow of points and high-percentage looks generated by the Davis-James pick-and-roll, the Lakers struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm and control of the game.
It wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter, when the Lakers found themselves in a precarious situation, that they returned to utilizing the pick-and-roll with Davis and James. However, by then, the damage had been done, and the Nuggets had seized the momentum, ultimately clinching a come-from-behind victory.
In hindsight, the Lakers’ decision to move away from their winning set of plays proved to be a critical error. Moving forward, they must prioritize consistency and trust in their most effective offensive strategies to avoid squandering leads and relinquishing control of games.
By adhering to their strengths and executing their game plan with discipline, the Lakers can maximize their chances of success and reclaim momentum in the series against the Nuggets.
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