How the Nuggets sent the Lakers home (twice)

How was Denver able to comeback twice in their last two home games against the Lakers? This watch along reaction film breakdown details how Jamal Murray was able to score down the stretch, defensive coverages and strategies from LeBron James and Coach Darvin Ham in the 2024 first round series matchup between Los Angeles and the Nuggets.
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#ThinkingBasketball

[@tristanharris8440]

Michael Porter Jr. was the unsung hero of this series.

[@acctsys]

Great execution has no tension, but is very effective.

[@ExplodingPoteto]

Guy is crazy. He has been consistent in this series along side jokic. So far murray and KCP have been shooting poorly including bench of course.😅

[@cliffproduction2056]

What's crazy is that he wouldn't get shots in the 4th Quarter, but jamal, who has been struggling the whole series, would just call his shot every single time

[@t4d0W]

He's slowly becoming that dangerous 3rd guy who can erupt from the 3-point line for the Nuggets. That has always been the promise but some fans still think nuclear Murray is the only ammo the Nuggets have in the playoffs besides meltdown Jokic.

[@shinigami5947]

​@@cliffproduction2056because jokic Murray two man game is the most efficient play in Denver nuggets arsenal....no matter how much one of the two is struggling...at the clutch minutes all of Thier inefficiency goes away...

[@couchpotato2417]

"Big game merchant" "Bright lights merchant" "Good teams merchant" "Cant show up when the lights are dim" this guy has the funniest reputation ever

[@vin8754]

GIVE ME FREEDOM GIVE ME FIRE GIVE ME SUPERTEAMS TO DESTROY OR I RETIRE

[@miguelladinodevera614]

​@@vin8754so is this titled Fire or Or I Retire? 😂 If that doesn't become his motto now, it would be in vain.

[@Sean.Cordes]

Only dude in the NBA for whom people ask "but can he do it in the regular season?" It's hilarious. As a Nuggets fan, there's not a PG I'd rather have with Jokic [decision making, size, defense, competitiveness, shot making from all 3 levels, underrated great passer, emotional leader of the team, the whole bit]

[@stormageddon248]

@@Sean.Cordesalso a Nuggets fan and his reputation is well-earned. It's not a bad thing to be known for. He thrives in the big moments when it actually matters. He's not all that clutch in the regular season. But he makes up for it in the playoffs.

[@stealthiscool]

He's a reverse choker 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Jeff_2x]

“Big game merchant” Ben has been on NBA Twitter lol

[@rickharrison1737]

100% Cody’s idea

[@Pyxyty]

Smh game winning shot so predictable, what a boring playoff team merchant 🙄

[@suslinmew4358]

LeQueen is the greatest ever of WNBA

[@conquistadorito]

Cody was the one to bring up "real hooperism," this was definitely his doing as well.

[@jnachtig2]

Best comment I saw on X was “yeah, unless he does it on a Wednesday in January against the Wizards I am not impressed”. The poster was being sarcastic, but I laughed out loud.

[@doktarr]

"Great IQ for a podcaster"

[@dinoOvranic]

🤣🤣

[@magicmagic8188]

11:50

[@joshuahettinger9287]

when your worst game of the series is 25/20/9 in a win

[@user-cn2dh5rc3h]

NJ's the only superstar that give screens to teammates & trust them to make the crucial shots🤗👌🤞😉

[@guiwhiz]

Yeah just think about that comment and he wasn't being facetious at all. This is an 'off game' for Joker and despite not getting a SINGLE call in the ENTIRE game (he shot NO free throws despite scoring 25 in the paint and pulling down 20 boards... yeah... sure.. that's a realistic situation) he drops 25 with 20 boards 9 assists two steals and a block. I NEVER had 20 rebounds in a game (hell I only broke 10 a half dozen times). I only scored 25 or more as a high school varsity player 3 times in 4 seasons and only 2x in college in 4 seasons and as a PG only managed double-digit assists about 25% of the time. The man ain't human...

[@leungsz]

That's insane this is Jokic's worst game. For many, this would have been their BEST game ever. Jokic is on another level.

[@rookieirish228]

I’m a coach for a youth basketball team, I use ur videos so much to teach my kids, thank you for posting!!!

[@skerete7968]

Way to go dude!

[@wafflesofjustice]

“Jimmy, that hard close out was clearly at odds with the scouting report, as #12 is shooting 11% on open catch and shoot jumpers. This is from a small sample, to be fair, but your negligence stressed our backline rotations and led to a weakly contested layup.” “Coach, I’m in 2nd grade”

[@injusticeanywherethreatens4810]

Lol waffle. I imagine it goes something like that.

[@miguelladinodevera614]

​@@wafflesofjusticethat 2nd grader could end up becoming either a heluva pro player or the future head coach of a ringless franchise lol think Ben Affleck's The Accountant but as a baller instead.

[@alvin081988]

Last Year it was Joker who was killing them with Clutch Shots and now Jamal with the Clutch Game Winning Shots . Respect also to MPJ who has been playing well and Mentally prepare to paly this game with his Family Issues

[@wilchan9931]

Funny because a lot of lakers fans are talking like "that was a lucky shot, jokic will not do the same this time". Well shit, jokic himself maybe knew that, and this year was jamal 🤣🤣 man .. who's next ?? MPJ ??

[@jeremiahrodell2737]

29:44 the synchronized running of Murray and Gordon. In sync even when not looking at one another... wow.

[@user-mo5wl6gm4o]

21:51 You can see MPJ's gravity from this play, bro had already become their nightmare with his 3s

[@davideoman1000]

Denver does not get tired. That mountain air does wonders for their cardio. It's their biggest strength I think.

[@user-ge1cu5uv4w]

Yeah. Denver is located at mountains but Lakers heads are in the clouds

[@miguelladinodevera614]

​@@user-ge1cu5uv4wimagine these Nuggets policing each other to see if one of them would smoke weed somewhere in the ski resorts while the season is ongoing.

[@ADUSN]

That mile high messes with you until you get used to it. Same body change happens in Machu Picchu

[@guiwhiz]

Actually it is that combined with size. Phoenix is at pretty high altitude as well as Salt Lake City for Utah, but combine it with their ridiculous size and it is just a juggernaut on a joyride time when the Nuggets come at you in Denver.

[@drinfernodds]

​@ADUSN this happened in the UFC when they had a card in Mexico. Cain Velazquez had legendary cardio for a heavyweight, but he hadn't acclimated to the altitude, and gassed out against Fabricio Werdum, who went to Mexico to get adjusted to it.

[@light-chemistry]

Great IQ for a podcaster is craaazy 🤣

[@MarioDiciple]

I kinda feel bad for the lakers. They feel like a second round team. But man do I love the nuggets. They just play good basketball and that makes me happy. Also these videos feel like the best part of ben being partnered with the NBA. He just gets to put footage up and talk about the game.

[@hua..]

well they had an entire regular season to try and avoid the nuggets first round, it is what it is

[@anubis4032]

​@@hua..WE WANTED THE NUGGETS it is what it is so what next season we got em

[@Loquacious_Jackson]

lebron is a liability

[@11DowningStreet]

​@@anubis4032lakers in 9 💯💯💯💯

[@aquamarine56]

​@@anubis4032 should have lost to Pelicans I think. They can beat OKC

[@bobo_m5201]

The decisive moment in the game was when Gorden grabbed the rebound over three Lakers players... Before Murray seals the deal!

[@guiwhiz]

That and his save with a kickout to MPJ for that dagger 3. AG deserves a lot of credit for this series going to just 5 games.

[@StefveoX]

Jamal “Laker Killer” Murray

[@mindyourbuisness8104]

I love how physical playoff basketball is back but that AD call getting overturned was ridiculous. He's clearly holding jokic the whole time. Embiid would of probably got 4 free throws out of that play

[@bubasaba]

The problem is, on the other side lebron and AD get any and every call they want

[@je5406]

The refs tried their hardest to drag LA to a win but Jamal and the rest of the Nuggets ballee out.

[@jonathanlgill]

The Lakers missed as many free throws as the Nuggets attempted. Wild stat.

[@erwin021777]

Game 4 was a sold game. Should have been a sweep

[@user-cn2dh5rc3h]

Ofc, zebras are owned by Lechoke 🤮& Joptmvp😥

[@wesmantooth32]

So one of the subtle things in the second game that you didn't really touch on was the lack of breaks after the TV timeout. There was a two to three minute stretch of just running up and down the court and it completely gassed the Lakers. Ham had to use his second to last timeout solely to give his team a breather. Obviously the Lakers lack of timeouts down the stretch ended up being very important, but I haven't seen anyone really talking about why he had to burn that first one. Conditioning again came up huge for the Nuggets in the fourth.

[@adrianiii3125]

That last play intercept read by jok to a supposedly winning last shot heave by lbj, was downright underrated

[@mrtspence]

Jamal making Canada proud being a late-game-heroics merchant.

[@bmsuperstar1]

15:06 He didn't "fell down". He got pushed by LeBron. It was a clear offensive foul.

[@guiwhiz]

Yeah that was definitely a push-off. KCP didn't flop in the least or slip he got shoved.

[@matthieusaade3616]

15:12 "just fell down...." sure 😂

[@Scyon13]

That block and score on transition was clutch from Payton Watson

[@vlada]

Played less than other games but you're right, this was his contribution to the game at critical time.

[@guiwhiz]

Yeah that is one thing I really respect about PWat... young kid but he comes to play and play hard whether he gets 4 minutes or 24... I think we can thank DeAndre Jordan for a lot of that attitude the youngsters can't really bitch when they see DJ calmly staying focused and ready to be called on.

[@nuggz720]

As a nuggets fan that was really satisfying

[@Dawg476]

Team Canada has the 2 of the clutchest players in the nba.

[@mladenaleksic5282]

Love Canada❤ But Potencial team Serbia is crazy with these players: Jokić, Bogdanović, Jović, Micić, Marjanović... We have strating five all from NBA, but also and great players from euroleague. Olympics is gonna be wild if these guys play. Regards from Serbia to all good people

[@JWIAEEY2K_202]

Why does Serbia's players'names ends with c?

[@BaronBrrr839]

@@JWIAEEY2K_202 I think it's because it basically means "son of [first part of the name]", the same way a lot of Scandinavian names look like Bjergsen, Eriksen, etc

[@BaronBrrr839]

which also means that Bogdan Bogdanovic is literally Bogdan, son of Bogdan

[@vlada]

I know. Dillon Brooks was the hero at the world championships last year.

[@MrSuperman957]

Even Thinking Basketball is calling him a "big game merchant" 😂

[@JasonAtlas]

I think e thing thats scary about Denver is that they generate so many good looks. The shots they hit don't have to be extraordinary. Obviously we've seen some buzzer beaters but it feels like you have to hit some really insane shots to keep up.

[@ACEDshooter]

Jokic defeated not only the lakers but the ref. Truly a goat

[@Kosithegod]

There was a difference of 5 fouls called.... the entire series.

[@Omnipotentballknower]

Facts the refs did everything they could to keep the Lakers in the game when Nuggets started making run or in the clutch

[@AtmosphericAtmosphere]

@@Kosithegod Per half time maybe

[@bding1738]

​@@Kosithegodyou cant tell me that the call on Jokic betting absolutely hammered by Davis was the right call.And they reviewed it🤢🤢🤢

[@winter9242]

​@@Kosithegod you're capping so hard bruv when we have the facts. Lakers had 94 FTA the whole series while nuggets only had 79.

[@Peanutdenver]

This series was the worst Jokic era post season performance I've seen...and they still won. They played more bad quarters than good. As a Nuggs fan I hope they play better vs Minn as they'll need to(as opposed to a 7th seed Lakers who did put up a solid fight). Fans of the Lakeshow must have suffered some slight depression when they found out they drew Denver in the first round. This next series should be some great basketball to watch.

[@breadcrumbles5753]

Are you fr? The only game he played bad was game 5 and he averaged 28 16 10 in the series, and you called the worst? Bruh be fr😂😂

[@Foggycallabasashillshelicopter]

This has to be sarcastic or you’re just stupid and don’t watch basketball. 2020? 2021? He literally avg 1 off a triple double. You are slow

[@ozz7602]

I'm a lebron/laker fan and I'm still sick from game 2. I hate all let's go wolves.

[@Poopopotamusgaming]

The Nuggets were bad because the Lakers were making them play bad, period. The Nuggets were still making the Lakers play worse

[@fatbussy5673]

@@breadcrumbles5753i think he’s talking about the team cuz i agree this really is the worst nuggets post season series they’ve had since the jokic era

[@opiniononion]

So glad the Lakers are gone, no more of this bs free throw disparity

[@Colinkrauss1]

As a lifelong die-hard bron stan, this nuggets team is the only (reasonable) team that has ever made me feel 100% without hope of bron winning the series. The mavs disaster wasn’t expected entering the finals. 2015 became lopsided. The KD Warriors barely count. But these nugs tho. Damn, they just can’t get over the hump.

[@Colinkrauss1]

It is odd being on that side of the coin, after having the reverse feeling against so many other teams in so many other series.

[@jtwork5580]

MPJ is the cheat code here, for all these late game comeback, 6'10, great rebounder, shoots the lights out and spacing the floor. Reeves and DLo has skills redundancy, where none of them is a lockdown defender for both the game winning shots by Murray. He literally cake walk into those free throw shots

[@Martillo81015]

2018-2006 LeBron would beat this nuggets team. Now he is too old to make up for DLO and Rui totally choking in the playoffs.

[@Colinkrauss1]

@@jtwork5580 yeah. That’s all true. But it’s not some ridiculous talent gap. Each team probly has 3 or 4 of the best 6 or 8 players in the series. MPJ, KCP, AG are all mostly role players. It’s just that Jokic can make them into super role players. LeBron and AD can’t make Prince or Rui or Vincent into super role players. And Denver is maybe the one team in the league that matches LA’s biggest strengths while also maintaining their other strengths.

[@Colinkrauss1]

@@Martillo81015 I think I agree. But Jokic might just be so good that even swapping 2016 Bron for 2024 Bron wouldn’t guarantee anything

[@Red__Hot]

love these watch alongs! keep em coming

[@fpbaby8513]

The intriguing part of this matchup? The fact that these teams are similarly talented, and the difference between them always comes down to intensity and focus.

[@jaewonlim1089]

Thanks for the great video. Could you also make a video about the free throw margin for the Lakers?

[@Bettingtips-qf3qm]

I love how casual you are in your analysis. With a light sense of humor to.

[@nicholaskatsikas4904]

Could listen to Ben Taylor break down film all day

[@kamotetops1572]

Game 5 was 8 vs 5 on the court (don't know how many are on the replay center) And Denver still managed to win! Touch fouls for the Lakers and No blood No foul for Denver.

[@ExplodingPoteto]

There were atleast 3-4 fouls on nuggets that i saw they didnt called.

[@Tumorcoach]

@@ExplodingPoteto28 to 9 in FT is criminal but Jokic not getting any with most points in the paint 😂

[@fanfan9748]

And unfortunately we will never see a proper discussion around the free throw differential and how blatant charging and travelling by Lebron are never called in this channel.

[@Jaydoggie1]

@@fanfan9748 Lakers fans will just tell everyone " just dont foul" or "its because we shoot less 3's" lol soo glad those bandwagon tiktok fans are out of the playoffs!

[@amadoanthonyiiimendoza3646]

Facts.

[@nctalkshoops]

This is so helpful. I just started watching your content today and i am definitely looking forward to your future game analyses!!

[@marksantillan7821]

If you are going to look at the roster of Denver closely, their chemistry has been molded throughout the years. Jokic is an all-around player in and outside but most dominant in offense in the paint, Aaron Gordon is a teammate you can trust to lob the ball and keep dunking and get rebounds, MPJ is a catch-and-shoot player who keeps making a tough shot and a crucial shot throughout the series of DEN vs. LAL, Murray who has been an assassin for Denver against the lakers since last year, he had a very low start at some point but getting super saiyan in 4th Q when it matters the most and killing the lakers with a clutch and game winner shots, Kcp who has been a big help in offense and defense of Denver. Not to mention, the bench players of the Nuggets makes them more stronger.

[@Mel-dd1ce]

Love watching the Nuggets. Great team chemistry and comraderie. When things aren't going well they don't display negative body language towards each other like LeBron constantly does. They play for each other, and have each others backs at all times. Who wouldn't want to play for the Nuggets. Positive reinforcement always gets better results than negative reinforcement. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the Lakers are secretly glad that the LeBron led team got eliminated.

[@phillipg1331]

Thank you for highlighting the play at 5:23. My favorite offensive play of the series. MPJ is an underrated playmaker.

[@NevenKuzat-hb4xn]

He doesnt need to be a playmaker, dude is the best spot up shooter on the planet

[@srdjanjanic]

You're absolutely right that these teams play the same game over and over, but they play great and it's really watchable over and over again. At the same time, let me add: Everyone can criticize the Lakers for being beaten by Denver, but they played great and finesse was the question of who would win.

[@AXEJAYB]

26:20 "I don't know how you miss this rebound, even at 39"

[@try44]

Why do you refuse to call out LeBron's moving screens, his flopping, ability to yell and scream at refs without technical fouls, his traveling, offensive fouls (hooking), and other blatantly obvious basketball violations only he is able to get away with?? It's not like you are ignorant to the rules, and you pay very close attention to each player. What has you so scared that you would choose silence over your integrity?

[@LeBronnyHamJames]

This!!!

[@malycw7903]

Great video. Rewatching the games we really get to appreciate how good this Nuggets team is down the stretch. The two man game with Jokic and Murray, with Gordon lurking dunker's spot, together with two great three point shooters, KCP and MPJ waiting behind three point lines, it is almost impossible to defend. It is just a matter of choose your poison, no easy way out. I think down the stretch if the game is close, no one can beat Nuggets. Like the poster said, this Lakers team is good, but facing a monster like Nuggets, there is really not much Lakers can do.

[@zachjakubowski7997]

Great analysis, thank you for your time and effort!

[@Immigrant80]

That challenge is gruesome!

[@alexanderh2345]

This is supposed to be a stats channel. But no mention is made of the free throw disparity stat from game 5. Jokic had 0 FT attempts and he was getting hacked all night.

[@Omnipotentballknower]

Could hear the bias in I say let them play at 27:30. How can you go from saying that to saying what MPJ did was a foul on LeBron. Stand on what you say. MPJ didn't foul Bron if Bron didn't foul Jok. Refs tried to save the Lakers season and still lost

[@claytonmundell]

The fact that jokic went the whole game without shooting a free throw makes me nauseous. I cant believe the refs would be that biased

[@Kosithegod]

Even with that game Jokic shot the most freethrows out of anyone. More than lebron, more than AD, more than reaves...

[@AtmosphericAtmosphere]

@@Kosithegod Don t spread a lies

[@MrDuckman0852]

@@AtmosphericAtmospherehe literally did there’s no lies

[@AtmosphericAtmosphere]

@@MrDuckman0852 WTF are you ralking about LBJ had 5.7 fta im serirs Nd Jikic 5.4...even he playing in the paint..did not watched for AD but i gursnhe had more...

[@shreyaankhanna3445]

@@AtmosphericAtmospherethat’s untrue Jokic shot 27 and Ad shot 26 even though Ad shot the same number of field goals and shot 12 😊less 3p attempts

[@techgamesyt8046]

Jamaal Murray reminds me of Rip Hamilton

[@erusi.g7184]

I can’t wait for ur breakdown of …nuggets v timberwolves game 1 Huge fan

[@ThinkingBasketball]

Thanks - uploading it now!

[@acctsys]

9:34 Murray makes AD screen for him 11:15 No foul? Nuggets really deserve the win.

[@jollyswagman4714]

11:15 was a foul

[@acctsys]

@@jollyswagman4714 If it was in the last game, then there was no foul called.

[@jollyswagman4714]

@@acctsys go back like 10 seconds you can see/hear the ref call it

[@acctsys]

@@jollyswagman4714 NBA stats say zero free throw attempts for game 5

[@jollyswagman4714]

@@acctsys 11:15 was game 2 lol

[@urbaindelva7869]

Late-game execution was always the difference between the Lakers and the Nuggets. The Nuggets always did it wen they had to, the Lakers didn't. But, boy, were the games always fun to watch.

[@kurosan0079]

I noticed how the shots that the Nuggets have been missing are shots that they usually make. They're gonna need to progress to their mean if they wanna beat the Wolves, which is a much tougher defense than the Lakers.

[@injusticeanywherethreatens4810]

Hey babe wake up! Another TB watchalong just dropped! Luuuv these.

[@MobPsychoooooo]

and if you think about this, Murray never played efficient this series yet he's taking the moment in cutch time

[@erikodinson4981]

The Lakers' lack of urgency in the last few minutes of game 5, especially after Murray hits the game winner, tells me that the guys on the floor had NO IDEA they were out of timeouts...

[@riduy211]

Lakers 27 FTs to Nuggets 9 FTs, that's letting them play? I'd hate to see if the refs weren't letting them play.

[@shinobu37]

Great video as always. Big fan of Denver since last season, great team, good chemistry, great culture. Hope Jokic and company can finish the job!

[@nuka.]

Lakers offense struggled so hard down the stretch it took actual heroics from a 40 year old to keep them in the game, then in the clutch, same issue, and the 40 yr old is actually 40 so he finally misses. Tragic

[@vil3071]

The 3rd qrtr adjustment when they pulled out gordon from lebron and put him to AD to cover the second line or last line is what made the comeback.

[@galaxyr3dmu552]

That last play on game 5, TP tells Rui or Dlo to rotate over because he saw the play already too. Sadly whoever he was talking to hesitated and there was no contest, which led to the gamer. Crazy how if they listened to TP it could’ve been a good contest and who knows, they could’ve gone into OT

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

FINALLY. Sucks they faced so soon, i feel this mess up the strength measure. Cue Core A brackets video.

[@soongalfred2515]

Only solution for the Lakers is for Bron to take a big player pay cut, step into Player/Coach role as he doesn't listen to coach plays. His salary can be made up by paying him as a coach. It's a win-win. Bron for sure commands respect. His basketball IQ is off the charts. It's just his body & stamina can't keep up for 48mins anymore. With the freed up salary space, they can sign a host of quality role players and let Reeves run the point guard role. 1. If Bucks get bounced, Giannis might be available and Lakers can tempt him. 2. Good role players that could be available and affordable: Royce O'Neal, Klay Thompson (at a lower salary), Dejonte Murray, Mikail Bridges, Chris Paul (at lower salary), etc.

[@Florian-yk8vg]

at this point wouldnt sign klay even if id get paid for it instead of a salary. and i dont think giannis and ad is a good fit.

[@kitkatt875]

Been a LeBron fan since I started watching basketball in 2017. The man is clearly past his prime and it's crazy to me that people still placing absurd expectations on him when he's nearly 40 years old. Nuggets definitely deserved this series and refs have always sucked up to the Lakers, but it's annoying to see how much hate the man gets, especially from Jordan stans. Jordan is the goat and I don't think it's close enough to be worth arguing about at least but I'm sick of people fighting over who isn't and is the goat like children. It makes me ashamed of being a sports fan when this is the community I see for it and people can't just appreciate them both for their talent.

[@Marmalada180]

As talented as he is, he brings a lot of the hate on himself with his behavior. What kind of star keeps throwing his teammates under the bus?

[@kitkatt875]

@@Marmalada180 That's true that he can be pretty immature, but off the court he's a good father and to think he's the only star that's disrespected his teammates is wild. Kobe, MJ, and LeBron all have had huge egos, but LeBron unfortunately came around when the media was at its peak, so his words are picked apart the most. Not saying his behavior is excusable, and that it isn't annoying at times, but it really feels like he's way too overly critiqued while things about MJ and Kobe will be conveniently ignored.

[@ErkinZahedi]

I agree with you that the GOAT debate has become annoying. People's minds are mostly set; it's not a debate so much as a shouting match. However, it's LeBron himself and his fangirls all over the media that bring up the debate at every opportunity they get. It's not like Jordan fangirls are coming out of the woods and shouting GOAT all of a sudden. I still believe it's a stupid debate, but if the media stopped shoving it down everyone's throat, I believe it would've died down eventually. I also believe that LeBron himself is responsible for the majority of the hate he gets. Now success comes with a price, there are always gonna be haters. But a lot of people, myself included, are just tired of his antics and theatrics. If the Lakers are winning, he gets all the credit and he's the greatest player of all time. If they're losing, suddenly the narrative shifts and now he's just a 39yo dude, what do you expect from him? You can't have it both ways. He and his fangirls create those expectations for him, and when he fails, even if it's not his fault, he can't just duck all accountability and throw everyone else under the bus. Every star gets hate when his team underachieves. Just look at the hate KD, Booker, Steph, Harden, Luka, Embiid, Giannis, Tatum/Brown get. LeBron is not magically exempt from that.

[@willingexile3374]

LeBron carries the burden of having to make the league viable as a business enterprise, hence his overexposure in terms of attention and hype. For the most part, he has acquitted himself well, but sometimes he and his team just manage to get ahead of themselves. Having this spotlight has its own pros and cons. Ja Morant is a a good example of too much, too soon as the "next face of the NBA" and I hope the same does not happen to Anthony Edwards. As for the GOAT debate, this is a cyclical thing - I am old enough to remember the discussions regarding Michael Jordan's place in the game during Jordan's prime. To this day I don't see Jordan as the greatest but that's a personal preference and a reflection of the standards of what I believe as winning attributes. Big ups to you for your fair observation.

[@caturtrisnantoaji679]

if you 40 years old, then take the pay like it... if you ask and get huge salary, it doesnt matter you are 27 or 40.. with lebron and AD huge huge salary, you cant get decent role player...

[@rickyisme1230]

Am I the only one think Ben should be on JJ Redick's podcast ? His content is so good and the quality of his work is amazing !!!!!

[@evakozo3593]

That play where Mal causes a turnover, Leflop takes the ball and gets a 2-ptr, and then the haphazard play of AG 'ON THE EDGE' tossing that ball to MPJ, to smoke that 3 PTR to tie the game is PURE ECTASY, because Leflop still wants to celebrate his 2 ptr (from the turnover he caused) and then realizes, BEFORE HE KNEW IT, THE GAME IS TIED AGAIN!!!! INSANE MOMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fredsmit3481]

Awesome review. I like this style when you show the whole game.

[@TheLaundryGuy32]

Lebron’s uncalled fouls and travels are always entertaining.

[@agentgarbo9208]

It's wild how he gets away with all these bs. Truth is these two teams weren't in the same level at all. Nuggets can easy sweep Lakers with a 10+ score lead in every game in a fair playground

[@pinuschen2806]

Honestly, if I’m the lakers, I will try to keep the same core and get a solid back up big man. Maybe change a head coach but I don’t think anyone on the market could make a huge difference. They really just lack the size to consistently compete with these championship caliber teams.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I think a Knicks Hartenstein like center, a new PG, move AD to forward, and get a solid 6th man for the bench. If you can keep Rui. Definitely do not trade Reaves, keep him untouchable unless it is for someone 25 or younger who is way better, not just more athletic (some like D Murray is more athletic, but not way better and is not younger). I don't think the Lakers neeed another star. They need more rebounding, consistency and Ham is gone so a solid head coach that can coach Bron.

[@wells235]

Not saying lebron was “bad” he obviously wasn’t. But you can point to 4 or 5 possessions down the stretch on both ends where he hurt the lakers. He was also the reason they were in it, but he wasn’t a massive positive in this game. I think he is finally reverting to human form at 39.

[@OneCreated]

Refs scoring more then ad

[@Simon-mj1im]

i do believe that the nuggets is such a mental team to play that they also elevated the Lakers to their best. I dont thnk they have to overthink this much against any other team. Especially when you have that insane connection between murray and jokic and it seems like they just know what they have to run or reset anytime they dont get the proper set up on the get go. Even the Lakers at their best cant beat them, and quite honestly i feel like the game been competitive thanks to the massive fts advantage the lakers had across the series (also all year long). It would be dishonest not mention the Lakers had a clear advantage on that end, Jokic had like 0 fts for driving almost every play to the paint its beyond comedy

[@dillonbarnum154]

"great iq for a podcaster!" earned you the like alone man that was hilarious

[@Mr3duuu]

I enjoy the NBA so much more after watching your videos

[@astromigui]

Thank you for the review, I'm really looking forward to the next series (I heard in a recent podcast that it was always written with an "s" at the end... =D ) against Minny !

[@rankoutsider73]

Great analysis, very cool!

[@williamhuebler68]

Jokic pushing the ball after rebounds to create advantage is such an underrated part of his game. Also, Murray and jokics subtle clock management to ensure they have the advantage in the 2-1 at end of game two is so subtly contrasted with lebrons subtle timing mismanagement at end of game 5. Lebrons use of clock on mpj is perfect if la has a timeout. They don’t so he need to go earlier. Those sort of subtle details r why the nuggets r better. Not a talent discrepancy. Constantly in this whole video nuggets r getting easier shots in their action. The lakers are making a lot of tough shots. Nuggets largely don’t make tough shots unless it’s jokic or especially Murray down the stretch. U can survive on a diet of tough shots but not for long.

[@figll20]

Refs let them play. Indeed, for the Lakers. 27-9 disparity on FT and none for Jokic is a crazy stat line. Jokic got mauled, played below his standard, and still put up 25/20/9. The Nuggets did not play great this series and the Lakers played their best ball for 90% of these games. To only get one game tho, now that's crazy.

[@TheLaundryGuy32]

They were frauds. But of course the NBA had to find a way to make them seem relevant.

[@boons8102]

“I like letting them play a little” said no ref in this series when LeBron had the ball.

[@ForOne94]

Really good job by the refs in game 5, they ONLY gave the lakers 3 times more free throws than nuggets, 27 to 9.

[@geografia89]

Minnesota Is the only team with the tools to beat an healthy nuggets team. The series will be dope if Murray and kcp recover, nuggets in 7 for me

[@victorseborowski5248]

Thanks for the commentary

[@dds9322]

Still Thinking Nuggets are such a great team...think again...look at my previous comments and this game 1 just confirmed it! But I digress.. denver mgmt did not do a trade for a shooter at trade deadline so now you have it...

[@jameshoops10]

15:35 reliving the pain 💔

[@waff6ix]

PLZ DO MORE 30 MIN VIDEOS LIKE THIS🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@NevenKuzat-hb4xn]

When you have your best day and these nuggets beat you on they worst day...

[@alejandrogarcia4486]

Great content ! Good stuff Ty

[@ryuzakikazeshini4012]

22:40 LeBum just didnt wanna get posterized again lol. Stop with the LeGlaze smh

[@rich5916]

I just wanted to say this type of video was great

[@mosstwig3591]

Craziest thing is, if MPJ wasnt sllowed to slide that far down in the draft, Nuggets might not have a ring and may have lost to the Lakers both times. Hes been the x factor

[@alejandrovalles7539]

didnt realize game 2 wasn’t game 5 till the last minute 😭😭😭

[@oldthug2309]

Murray is such a goat i cant believe hes never been an all star.

[@thedivinepurposepodcast]

Oh wow !!! Is this the new version of Kobe’s Detail Show ?

[@wzsmart2890]

More of this please 🙏

[@dimelo58]

This team is crazy good

[@7srchoed]

“Deion Sanders free safety stuff” You were close 😂

[@by_accident]

15:32 mpj is running to celebrate even before it went in

[@aleksandar8090]

It was not Jokic fight for the post catch on that last play...that is that brilliance that not all players have!!! When Murray go to the right side... Jokić know that if pickAroll started then, Murray would not have inaf space to do much, because AD was glue to Jokić and je would have great position to close Murray...so Jokić knowing from previous similar situation where he try to push opponent hands of him,he was call for offensive foul...so this time he rise his hands above AD,do some swimming move faking trying to get position just to force AD to back down just a little bit for him to in split second sprint up in block for Murray and AD was forced to stay in drop and that left Murray to think only about AR who was behind him. That small few seconds situation are so big and have much impact on end result...and many people don't even register coz they are happening so fast...yet they separates that 1% of all time great players from rest 99%!

[@trickpatgu9069]

THANKS FOREVER BEN

[@S.Tuck72]

Gr8 content- as usual bro!!