Lakers Upset Nuggets: What Needs to Happen

In this clip, JJ Redick and Tommy Alter discuss what LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers need to do to in order to upset Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the Denver Nuggets in the 2-7 matchup in the first round.
Subscribe to The Old Man and The Three podcast w/ JJ Redick (ESPN / First Take) and Tommy Alter KZbin channel today for more NBA analysis, player interviews and highlights.

[@xannith9533]

What needs to happen: 1. Refs need to show up 2. Jokic and Murray need to stay home.

[@koretv1581]

refs showed up for lakers but jokic and murray came to the game

[@deathsoap]

@@koretv1581 Nah refs for nuggets. we all can see it. no calls at all b.s!!!

[@onyroo]

The same people who said Lakers should tank to avoid seeing Nuggets in the 1st round are the same ones who roasted the Clippers for load managing.

[@blitzy7961]

It's what it is man. Clips will always get unecessary hate as long as the Lakers have the no.1 fanbase. It sucks, but it is what it is

[@SosaA11]

Bro who cares they didn’t let’s talk about the series now

[@FOR3V3R_33]

How tf u kno dat?😂 yall be saying anything to get dem weak az points across

[@jontattum1476]

Yeah it’s zack kyle and Linda. Hypocrites

[@ishyameru6232]

Neither team is winning the chip and what does that even mean

[@andrewfung9340]

If Jokic hits 3s it feels like night night

[@jrich5682]

Just saw a wild jokic centaur tee on etsy lololol

[@mmobilegaming9256]

@@jrich5682 That Tee is tough ngl

[@AndresMartinez-ue1wt]

can i use your same logic?! what if A.D. hits 3's its gonna night night

[@hakonson]

Anyone who think Lakers should be favorited in this series yall dont know Denver at all

[@AndresMartinez-ue1wt]

@@hakonson Denver 2023-2024 payroll is $200,000,000. ya'll better beat the Lakers 🤣🤣

[@adamworthy6117]

D LO needs to have a big series if we want to win

[@BellR0113]

Facts

[@BellR0113]

Need 20 and 7 per game

[@nollyvon]

At least 20 per game

[@Gdfsandoz]

I think kcp is gonna have something to say about that haha

[@shanewininger]

You should not watch this series if you think the Lakers will win! Save yourself the disappointment!!!

[@grocefamilyfarm3062]

JJ: Can they win the free throw battle? Scott Foster: Yes. We can make that happen.

[@xro1983]

Everybody knows the refs got a bunch of money set for the post season

[@calebschenck4493]

The free throw shooting disparity is crazy

[@Travixty]

Drawing fouls is a huge skill. Oh but let’s just disregard that and blame the refs!

[@grocefamilyfarm3062]

@@Travixty sure. it’s such a huge skill but somehow the lakers are the only ones to have figured it out. Look at the chart of free throws taken. If lebron and AD were the Steph and Klay of drawing fouls, they would still have only like half of the disparity in attempts vs opponents.

[@Native2181]

Lakers 27th in drives to the cup and first in free throws. Skill you say?

[@cryptidian3530]

Jokić needs to get lost in Denver traffic and miss every game. That's the only way.

[@Banned4Life]

Nah, I'd recommend someone on the Lakers to go tell Jokic that his horses are hungry or sth. Joker would retire and fly to Europe immediately.

[@eoinPalmer]

As a Denver resident, this made me laugh. Our traffic may not compare to LA’s but it’s actually most congested around our downtown and Ball Arena.

[@dawitmenelik1065]

Then mortgage ur last penny on Denver wager. But u won’t 😅

[@DrRhilTV]

I’d rather Murray not be there lol

[@kingspeech2240]

@@DrRhilTVexactly what I said

[@Jayson_Tatum]

To anyone who doesn't know what he means by an "Alfred" he is referring to the supporting cast being crucial to the success of the main cast. Alfred is the unsung hero of Batman; therefore, Reddick uses Alfred as his means of describing critical role players for a team's success.

[@chrisnovak4]

beautifuly said sherlock

[@therocklau]

Totally unnecessary for a reference anyone above 6yo would know, but OK.

[@amabdall]

​@@therocklaujust like your comment 😂😂😂

[@kirtmoore4015]

😂😂😂​@@chrisnovak4

[@dre5908]

Thank you, Jayson Tatum!

[@bilbobags18]

I love how easily ppl forget. This was a tight series last year. Game 1: 6 points, Game 2: 5 points, Game 3: 11 points, Game 4: 2 points. All close games where the lakers had a 4th qtr lead. It took LeBron being hurt, heroic fall away bank shots from Jokic, and 20+ point 4th quarters from Murray to win that series. Coupled with DLo being 100% useless. I’m not saying the Lakers will win, and the Nuggets should win, but to simply dismiss the Lakers is a mistake. They are more than capable of winning this series. This should be a fun one to watch regardless of who wins.

[@HishamMahmudinOC]

Nuggets want the games to be close... it's energy conservation 🙂

[@racerking5901]

THANK YOU for saying this. People acting like the Nuggets win by 50 each time they play against the Lakers. I hate how most sports "experts" just extrapolate based on the outcome of individual games when making predictions instead of actually trying to analyze what happens during the games. It could easily have been 2-2 or 3-1 Lakers after 4 games last year if Nuggets didn't get a few high variances outcomes to swing in their favor.

[@rogue5716]

@@HishamMahmudinOCur tweaking. No team wants a playoff game to be close within 1 possession that’s idiotic just like u

[@tylergerber3432]

Yep. These people are stupid, lakers playoff roster is better this year and the nuggets playoff roster is worse than last year. how in the world is this going to be a sweep. Use your brains people. Im coming back to this comment after lakers win this series lmao

[@osvaldoespino1950]

@@racerking5901losing by a couple points in a close game instead of it being a blowout is even worse. all it means is the lakers played their very best every single game yet couldn’t beat them a single time. it’s not like they had an off night where they got blown out, no they tried their hardest yet couldn’t win anything nuggets are better in every aspect

[@renegade4288]

Only thing that can save the lakers is Thanos uses the time stone to turn lebron into a 30 year old..... and he turns Joker into Shawn Bradley using the reality stone

[@gfbl]

😅

[@sportstalkonly1442]

Turn lebron into a 30 year old and keep jokic the same lakers would win it. That's all they would need is a young lebron.

[@Kelyn999]

@@sportstalkonly1442shi give us a 32 -33 2018 bron

[@sportstalkonly1442]

@@Kelyn999 oh they'd easily win this series lol

[@Aemond839]

2018 bron is overkill. It wouldn't be fair to pair 2018 bron with AD. It sounds almost illegal

[@dvdv8197]

Jokic just picked up his first foul on LeBron today.

[@popadicm7021]

What?

[@jontattum1476]

Lol

[@agbradio5894]

Hopefully

[@Eastunder]

Lol

[@jungler34]

oh man this was good

[@SuperNova23333]

Media wants the Lakers to win SO BAD. The glazing is unreal.

[@KpNevsdad27]

Bruh I’m glad you see it

[@thesecond8187]

Because it’s more money if they do.

[@thesco41510]

Lakers are one of the best ball franchises ever bro

[@slayedthis9162]

was literally thinking the same thing all of the talk is about how the lakers can win and not how much better the nuggets are lol

[@yousocurrazy]

Thats how sports work bro stop crying. People still talk more about Chelsea and Man United even though Aston Villa and Newcastles been playing better. Leagues always spotlight historically successful and big market teams.

[@eugenejoh3093]

19 free throws for the lakers vs 6 free throws for the nuggets. Still lost by 11

[@penkima4923]

AD was 32/14/5/4.

[@daveclark8337]

Murray or Jokic need to be out injured or caught gambling for the Lakers to have a chance.

[@WopJr]

you don’t know basketball

[@vulcanraven9701]

i disagree. obviously LA is the villain of NBA but they have two 10x superstars and a 1x all star on their team. LeHelp also has the officials on his side and probably is taking PEDs

[@cryptidian3530]

@@vulcanraven9701 He had all that last year and still got swept by the Nuggets.

[@charlielenh3438]

@@vulcanraven9701but nuggets have the MVP (probably) on their team

[@GIANTNATION]

@@cryptidian3530the games were closer than you think. And the lakers only played 20 something games together after the Westbrook trade, playing much better together now. Murray had a Kobe type playoffs last year. Completely different year

[@Liftercode]

JJ say the opposite and the podcast with James is over😂

[@tucomtyler]

Hadn't thought of that😂😂

[@sbursac4102]

No too much respect, all games were very close. Give him benefit of a doubt.

[@Jay-zx4bm]

Y’all don’t just watch the game 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@sbursac4102]

@@Jay-zx4bm Jokic is from my country, but friend this is sports. Nothing is certain, thats why we love underdogs and I root for Denver and stay late at night/not to say 5 in the morning and go to work.

[@steviechampagne]

@@Jay-zx4bmlol YOU don’t watch the games😂 Lebron went 0-13 from 3 in the 4th quarters of the nuggets sweep. HE shot them out of every game 😂😂

[@jason5265]

Every non-Laker fan knows this series will come down to Nuggets staying out of foul trouble

[@AnonymousUser-ss2qr]

Denver can't lose. Jokic is the goat. They could beat the 2017 warriors

[@mattpassos5689]

​@AnonymousUser-ss2qr that's a ludicrous take but I like it, I still don't think they are that good, that warriors team was deeper and had multiple mvp level guys

[@byronmcpherson7045]

That’s one factor but can certain guys be good enough defensively (DLO) so they can be an option offensively as well as keeping Davis near the rim

[@picassojulien899]

That depends on the refs

[@user-qd6ti3uk3p]

and that is hard since Lakers get all the help they

[@justinland1208]

I can't wait till Dlow is putting up shots after the game.

[@maaaateyourrekidding6918]

🤣🤣🤣

[@thesweetscience5361]

😂

[@yashshah9340]

AD I got swept by Denver again, AD I got swept.

[@kartikparmar4061]

I can't wait for those rdc videos 😂

[@jamaicancanik]

😂😂😂

[@TheBigChief4]

Nuggets are the only team that didn't show full power during the regular season and we will get the sneak peak of that power against Lakers. With all that being said, Nuggets in 4 :)

[@alvin081988]

Nuggets play well under Pressure..... They just cant stop Joker and Jamal once they make clutch Plays or Shots

[@thesecond8187]

Yes I agree. Well Alvin we’ll see if your prediction you made some time ago will come true

[@micatrsic8762]

but the referees will stop them with free throws for the Lakers Lakers free throw and referee friends, then you can win Denver!! You can only win with free throws, which the referees always give you. Please look at the statistics for the 2023 playoffs against Grizzlies against Warriors against Nuggets!!! The Lakers got an average of 12 more free throws than their opponents

[@penkima4923]

@@micatrsic8762 In game 1 this year Lakers won free throws 19-6.

[@micatrsic8762]

@@penkima4923 🤮

[@MF_Spoon]

The same thing happened last year. Everyone gassed up the Lakers and said that they were a top team once the playoffs started. I think LAL might get 1 game this year but the Nuggets are just as good or better than last year.

[@bilindabutcher8913]

I mean the Lakers are technically a top team if they finish top 4, just not better than the champions lmao

[@Chadzmuth]

What? No one gassed up the Lakers last year, it was a surprise they made the conference finals. That's why they're being hyped this year.

[@berryesseen]

I think even 1 game is too generous. It hasn't happened for 2 years. Why should it happen now? LeBron is older. Joker is better. The chances for Lakers is getting lower every day.

[@jamiethorpe5431]

See how haters try to rewrite history. No one hyped up the Lakers. They were projected to lose to Memphis and the Warriors then when they won….Lakers took advantage of Memphis's injury and Warriors weren’t that good…if Lakers beat Nuggets it will be scripted or fouls were called in favor for Lakers.

[@Poopopotamusgaming]

I wont say the Lakers will win, but it will be competitive. Everybody looks at last years sweep as though they were blowouts. 3/4 games were close games decided by a couple possessions. If DLO averaged more than 6 points the Lakers definitely stood a chance

[@exiledknight3961]

The Denver downplay needs to stop.

[@je5406]

Denver plays really well when the media gasses up opponents. Keep it going JJ!

[@MattHardee1]

downplayin? the video title says "lakers upset nuggets". I dont hate on the lakers like everyone else but no one is downplaying them, we all know LA is fked hahaha

[@Banned4Life]

Yes, because lining out ideas on how to upset (notice the word upset?) the Nuggets, who everyone in the world views as favourites, is downplaying them. Calling the Lakers underdogs and Nuggets favourites sure is an insult, eh.

[@M.L.official]

@@Banned4Life It is because nobody talks about what it would mean for Denver to repeat, which should be narrative as they are the defending champs and 2nd seed

[@leroyrodgers6089]

JJ needs to be careful,.he cant say anything negative about Lebron or that podcast is done.

[@The_Invisible_Man]

Truth

[@SheepRfaggg]

How knowledgeable you are 😂

[@zaqston36]

Comment section for this video is the best I've ever seen.

[@anthonysmith2391]

Jokic just got another foul before the game started

[@KANGLEEJOHN]

What does it matter if he can get 5 fouls in the 3rd and stay in the game for another 10 mins with Bron attacking him downhill ĺol

[@borisfrlic]

Jokić and Murray already have 2 fouls each

[@user-jc3pl3de8b]

They'll still beat them if you gave them 3 fouls right now

[@aquamarine56]

10 fouls now

[@jayteepanganiban4301]

Lakers got no chance if Joker and Murray perform similar to last year's playoffs.

[@roberthall1818]

Joker and Murray always show up for big games for reason the Lakers r like a play area for them two

[@cia1784]

Every game last series was close. It all went down to Dlo and the Lakers pieces not doing their end of the Bargain while denver’s pieces were clicking. If Dlo, Rui and Reeves or even Gabe do their thing i can definitely see a better matchup compared to last season

[@roberthall1818]

@@cia1784 Gabe was a no show in the finals last year. Dlo a no.show last year vs the nuggets the one guy I looked is Spencer denweddi who hasn't yet

[@Zett76]

The Lakers have 8 guys on the floor. 5 in gold and purple, and 3 in grey,.

[@papadiom9260]

Will Denver have a chance if Bron & AD perform like they did in 2020 ??

[@dvdv8197]

I'll take "things that'll never happen" for 500, Walter.

[@AMC12345]

I'll come back here to see if youre right Sarcastic Nostradamus

[@kodyscot9360]

this team will lose in the 2024 nba playoffs again...i'ma go with the fakers for 800 alex

[@siner2442]

This self Proclaimed “Goat” has been swept in the Playoffs, how many times?

[@heath6825]

@@AMC12345you’ll be wrong just like last year

[@NyiAydl]

@@siner2442 MJ? also, istg when it comes to lebron ppl act like teammates dont exist. BBal aint 1v5 its 5v5

[@1337slic3]

Jokic gonna be bleeding out of both arms at the end of each game with 2 FTAs

[@nickhexum01]

That's nonsense. Last year Jokic averaged about 7 FTs a game against the Lakers. During the rest of the playoffs? Guess what? He averaged about 7 FTs a game.

[@1337slic3]

@@nickhexum01 Not you thinking this says something lmao Dude gets no calls, doesn't matter who it's against. Lakers just get all the calls. FTAs were like 107-81 that series in favor of the Lakers

[@papadiom9260]

Bron gets punched and gets 0 calls. Cry !

[@1337slic3]

@@papadiom9260 least delusional Lakers fan

[@shrekglitterfest]

you are literally a fortune teller

[@berryesseen]

By upsetting, do you mean 4-1 win by Denver? Because winning 4 games out of 7 is not gonna happen.

[@kevinjones4724]

Lakers in 5

[@tiktokexposed898]

I got Lakers winning in 6

[@mackharris5636]

@@kevinjones4724tard

[@mackharris5636]

@@tiktokexposed898tard

[@georgereynolds2276]

You guys need to take all your money and bet that. Let's see how that works out for you.

[@davidboucher6450]

Correction, it's not that the Lakers don't foul and gets fouled a lot, well, everyone knows what's going on here. I think the Raptor's coach explained it very well at one point this season... The NBA is a business and they try to protect their asset. David Stern one said that the ideal match-up in the finals would be the Lakers against the Lakers... It says it all.

[@shawnregina9110]

“It’s a complete crap”

[@tiktokexposed898]

Lakers are good at drawing fouls and disciplined at not committing them. Good skillset to have

[@KANGLEEJOHN]

Yeah right, like the Raptors weren't committing dumb fouls. They had no big man and was just sending AD and anybody who got into the restricted area to the line lol. Yall be so quick to cosign BS just because it's LA. Last year Bron was driving all game vs Denver and BARELY got calls. At one point Jokic got his 5th foul in the game and didn't even come out lol. Dude played the rest of the game with 5th fouls while 1v1 with Bron attacking him. Impossible not to foul Bron or give up 2 points every time off the pick and roll.

[@micatrsic8762]

Playoffs lakers nuggets FT 2023 FT game 1 26:22 for lakers FT game 2 26:18 for lakers FT game 3 29:19 for lakers FT game 4 26:22 for lakers Play In Pelicans Lakers FT 2024 29 :15 for Lakers playoffs Lakers Grizzlies FT 2023 FT game 1 16:16 FT game 2 21:21 FT game 3 27:20 for lakers FT game 4 31:21 for Lakers FT game 5 20:17 for Lakers FT game 6 15:20 for Grizzlies playoffs Lakers Warriors 2023 FT FT game 1 29:6 for Lakers FT game 2 17:16 for Lakers FT game 3 37:17 for Lakers FT game 4 20:12 for Lakers FT game 5 15:15 FT game 6 42:14 for Lakers referees will make it so that the Lakers advance and Denver should sue the NBA for something like that!!

[@watchmesquatch]

​@@tiktokexposed898 Brain dead tiktok bum.

[@NostalgikOne]

“This is a team that doesn’t fouled and they get fouled a lot” Nicest way to say officiating is biased in every Lakers game 😂

[@gotworc]

Cope. Lakers score almost all of their points in the paint. There's a reason why they get fouled a lot. Rarely do jumpshots get fouled. Other teams like to shoot more

[@jackbower1458]

​@@gotworc it means they don't foul but they are driving to the paint 88% of the time

[@JoseVargas-bs8gx]

​@gotworc they are last in drives do your research. They have 3 foul merchants on the team and the refs reward them.

[@lakerodom1325]

Nicest way to say you have no idea how the game is played and don’t know the stats for both teams.

[@Vajra1021]

You don’t know basketball 🏀

[@AlejandroRodriguez-cn9wq]

This series get glossed over in the Jokic documentary

[@ImportAl]

Lakers bench better have their cardio OP for Braun and Watson 🥵

[@AVAXII]

what a couple of 2 high energy beasts. One is threat on the counter and both offense and defense, the other takes so much pride in playing defense that he is jumping over Joker to block shots.

[@gbone1812]

@@AVAXIIWatson gonna help Denver repeat such a beast

[@AVAXII]

@@gbone1812 I hope so. I'm not really a Denver fan. Did not watch NBA (more than 10 games a season, all playoffs) for about 15 years. Started watching again cause of Joker, so I support Denver too. And watching Lakers lose and their fans having tantrums is awesome.

[@micatrsic8762]

The Lakers' best bench are the referees

[@R3Y1023]

Is JJ referring to himself when he says “every team needs an Alfred to make big shots”?

[@jrich5682]

"if the Lakers can with the freethrow battle" lol

[@Zett76]

Oh. They will. And ESPN will talk about their incredible SKILL to avoid fouls all day... oh. Wait. They don't talk about it... at all.

[@penkima4923]

Game 1 free throws: Away team Lakers - 19 Home team Nuggets - 6.

[@Trazor2k0]

Free throws for Lelakers gonna be at a historical high

[@RamonChiNangWong078]

very high... Rajaković: THIS IS COMPLETE CRAP!

[@DebraL321]

C’mon JJ-the Lakers are a “team that does not foul” is not the same as the “team that does not get fouls called against them.”

[@DaintyBroom2233]

Margin for error is extremely low for the Lakers wheareas the Nuggets don't even have to put up a perfromance like they did last year to still beat the Lakers, Lakers would have to play the best basketball they've ever played in the Lebron James era while the Nuggets would have to stink it up (by their standards). No way the Lakers win, the only real question were asking is can they even win a game?

[@BroCoolFire]

No Denver stills has to perform.. The Lakers aren't that bad as you making em

[@penkima4923]

@@BroCoolFire AD went 32/14/5/4 blocks in game 1. Lakers won free throws 19-6. And the Nuggets still won.

[@scimbrelo]

Truly, nothing personal, but the gambling sponsorships that are present throughout. Everything related to sports now are just kind of sad. I realize that this isn’t anything specific to JJ Reddick, or this podcast, and I don’t mean it as an attack on either.

[@arenegadeboss]

When does the full preview drop?

[@GueniGuenter]

When are we getting a Jontay Porter full interview with Draft Kings as a sponsor? 😂

[@KK-pm7ud]

The best shot at a draft kings sponsored video for that would be Pablo Torre Finds Out. Otherwise it'll be 60 Minutes or Oprah or someone else outside of sports.

[@mihailodomanovic1192]

"This is a team that doesn't foul" - mmmmyes yes, that's one way to put it

[@kennyg1358]

There's a massive difference between not fouling and not getting called for fouls. Lakers just need to capitalize on the FT differential.

[@Goventuresskn]

I’m really looking forward to this match up.

[@jflack6]

JJ doesn’t have a biased approach or view. He has a podcast with y’all’s “king”

[@John-jm4nv]

He can't afford too. 😂

[@tiktokexposed898]

Yeah lebrons the GOAT

[@Zett76]

@@tiktokexposed898 why?

[@watchmesquatch]

​​@@tiktokexposed898LeBron? Nah. That's LeGone. 😂 Bro could be my grandpa. 😂

[@nellyville69]

Fun fact Dlo and Jamal has the same exact birthday

[@AaronPlay]

What needs to happen: Jokic and/or Murray gets injured

[@PeterBoye-vr3oy]

What JJ meant to say was “Lakers get fouls CALLED a lot”- Jokic gets fouled on almost every play, he just doesn’t get any calls.

[@berryesseen]

Isn't it normal? LeBron's CV gives him extra foul calls. It's how NBA works. Get some legend guy in your team, you'll get foul calls.

[@LifelinegamingFilms]

Clown take Peter

[@arenegadeboss]

​@@berryesseen Idk if I buy into this narrative although I could be convinced. It could very well be true but I've never seen anyone use data to support it over a long period of time (it's normally a game or series). I think it could also be a chicken and egg situation. Instead of refs giving stars calls, I can easily imagine teams game planning for stars and not letting them get momentum and that leads to more fouls. Dunno either way but would love to see someone do the work for the major stars over their careers vs the avg or whatever.

[@WopJr]

it’s literally complications of lakers getting fouled all season and not getting calls

[@arizjones]

@@arenegadeboss Los Angeles Lakers' free throw differential this season, which is by far the largest in the NBA. LeBron and company have taken 1,983 free throws this season, which is 507 more than their opponent. No other team has a free throw differential above +250. And of course, the story was much the same in the play and win over the New Orleans Pelicans. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers typically get outrebounded, outshot from downtown, and have more turnovers than their opposition. But as long as the Lakers continue to get more whistles than their opponent, they'll be in good shape, as we can see from that league-leading +507.

[@ImAwakeOK]

Anything can happen in the NBA. Just takes the right Refs for the Right $$$$$$....

[@MrRufusRToyota]

Hey Putin!

[@Vajra1021]

cry some more

[@pauljoseph3081]

The moment the Lakers let Dwight, McGee and Caruso go, They no longer able to compete against Denver.

[@JohnnyYeet123-sr8xk]

Well now even bringing those guys back wouldn't do anything. Dwight and McGee are both washed. Caruso's really good but he's injured right now and Chicago isn't about to let him go.

[@pauljoseph3081]

@@JohnnyYeet123-sr8xk Lakers could've been back2back champs and Denver might have been changed drastically thru trades like every underachieving teams does

[@WizardofWestmarch]

Don't forget KCP. Trading him away to get Russ made him available for the Nuggets, and dude is a key piece to the Nuggets being as good as they are. Picks up best or second best player on the other team (depending on who matches up better with the best player between him and AG), shoots 3s well, and doesn't complain if he doesn't get his turn on offense while continuing to play elite defense.

[@papadiom9260]

Lol They toyed with Denver the very next year !

[@pauljoseph3081]

@@papadiom9260 Toyed? What planet you're living on rn?

[@NoVisionGuy]

I love how JJ didn't think about how Nuggets will sweep the Lakers again is not a possibility.

[@tiktokexposed898]

It's really not a possibility

[@NeverSober8008]

@@tiktokexposed898It is still more likely than the Lakers winning the series at all

[@micatrsic8762]

The Lakers' best bench are the referees

[@gh8066]

Double negative be like

[@micatrsic8762]

Lakers free throw and referee friends, then you can win Denver!! You can only win with free throws, which the referees always give you. Please look at the statistics for the 2023 playoffs against Grizzlies against Warriors against Nuggets!!! The Lakers got an average of 12 more free throws than their opponents

[@dc7370]

Going through good teams sharpens playoff improvement . Denver is a player & a half short from last year _ the half is Murray's knee & ankle.

[@stefanblazic4316]

Why are people so desperately trying to make the case for the Lakers, like damn it people it would be amazing if you lose in 5 to Denver lol

[@bilindabutcher8913]

Maybe because people need content and like to talk about basketball? Why doesn't the NBA just skip everything and just host Celtics vs Nuggets already?

[@iluvcakes19]

Because they are all Lebron nut swingers. It's veiled favoritism.

[@i2ambler2002]

@@bilindabutcher8913 Its not even that. It's the fact that the Nuggets are heavily favored in this series, yet every talking head is going on and on about how the Lakers can win this, or look how close they came for the last 8 losses.

[@danielday3374]

@@i2ambler2002 Because the top seeds are boring teams. That’s the hard truth. They have no personalities or narratives, so why would the media talk about them much? This is the reality of Earth. Lakers are more polarising.

[@bilindabutcher8913]

@@i2ambler2002 again, because people like talking basketball? People like to brainstorm how a heavy UNDERDOG like the Lakers could possibly take down the Nuggets. Everyone knows the Nuggets are favorites dude stop being so negative. Enjoy basketball or stop watching until the nuggets get to the finals

[@je5406]

A team that doesnt foul😅😅😅

[@JaMal-oo1tx]

Yeah I was like huh… interesting

[@Tsunami_Hawk]

Lakers are hacks

[@rogoznicafc9672]

I watched a couple of their recent games and honestly, there just wasn't that many fouls committed by them. It wasn't that the refs didn't call them it was just plain and simple not fouling their opponents. As per why they get so many of them, there also wasn't a huge disparity of what was called for them and what against them. Like 2 or 3 fouls per game where i was "hmm other team probably wouldn't get those" but those situations were still kinda fouls...idk honestly

[@dusanlug]

😂😂😂

[@shawnregina9110]

He has to say that because of the ridiculous ft disparity they have. That’s the only narrative that could possibly explain it. But even then it doesn’t make sense. Because not only do they not get fouls called against them. LeLakers also get the friendly whistle.

[@Seddysaid]

I think we were hoping you talked about all the series and who you're picking.

[@BroCoolFire]

Did it say that in the title caption??

[@lylegabrielg.poblete8108]

What episode is this?

[@EduardoGrassoTV]

The "I have a podcast with LeBron" effect

[@aarondekker1834]

Probably everyone is looking at ways the lakers can win as it's highly unlikely and it's easy to just say "Denver is going to win" and move on

[@GIANTNATION]

@@aarondekker1834not as highly unlikely as y’all think

[@H41030v3rki110ny0u]

@@GIANTNATION barring extreme injuries... it's definitely "highly unlikely" ... i would certainly take a $25 bet and put $50 of my own for Denver winning this series lol

[@GIANTNATION]

@@H41030v3rki110ny0u lol okay I’ll come back to this comment we’ll see.

[@ahodpodcast]

@@GIANTNATIONit is highly unlikely. Only way Lakers win this series is at the free throw line

[@Uncommon_0812]

Everything beyond Denver in 5 would already surprise me a lot. Like said in the beginning, the Nuggets won the last NINE GAMES against the Lakers. At this point Jokic is just trying to find out how many different ways there are to absolutly obliterate the Lakers defence. I'm so tired of the media talking non-stop about the upset possibility, this is beyond crazy. The Nuggets will roll over the Lakers once again. The only thing that could turn this series around is a broken leg for Jokic... seriously, what are we talking about

[@rickyricardo2006]

Now do one of these but for Denver. What does denver need to overcome the Lakers you are talking about?

[@imnotblindbutiloveblindfol8449]

They are going to win the free throw battle because they usually do. Especially in the 1-2 months prior to playoffs starting + the playoffs.

[@tommyguntunechi8124]

Ill save you 8 minutes of wishy washy banter, the reffs. The reffs need to happen for L.A.

[@justinland1208]

They've been Lakers best player all season. Can't wait to see how they step up in the playoffs.

[@26MECH]

​@@justinland1208😂😂😂😂

[@typg9397]

I understand Denver won all 4 games in the regular season; however, Denver’s bench is not the same. This is a lot more relevant in the post-season. I expect the series to be competitive.

[@RichardGofourth]

nice take strongly agree 100%

[@Eastunder]

Right, Braun and Watson are coming into their own and Denvers bench is much better defensively than last year. Sure they miss Brown but can certainly get that production replaced by a number of players

[@TheFamousMockingbird]

bench is used way less in postseason, the bench isnt nearly as important in playoffs as people tthink its important in the regular season to be able to maintain wins and keep a healthy starting plus 6th and 7th to max out in the postseason

[@typg9397]

@@Eastunder nah, 2 developing young guys ain’t gonna cut it. They could prove me wrong but we’ll see what kind of production they bring. Post season ain’t the regular season.

[@typg9397]

@@TheFamousMockingbird the bench is typically shortened in the post season and you rely on those select guys to keep the team afloat with starters out. I don’t see the Nuggets bench being able to do that versus the best competition, but we will see.

[@GenteelCretin]

man that brooklyn dodgers hat is kinda dope.

[@tony84.]

0:21, JJ is speaking for me here!🤣😂💯That's how I feel, said perfectly!

[@penkima4923]

The Lakers should've ducked.

[@WindowLicker_-9]

A miracle. That's what needs to happen

[@Viewingviewer3]

Bron did that before nothing new

[@Gofroze]

@@Viewingviewer310 years ago 😂

[@SirGuifoyle]

"Doesn't foul. Gets fouled a lot." ......suuuuree

[@Ultimatebeast135]

I’d like to see gabe Vincent on Murray as well as a constant mix of zone and spread defense from the lakers. Give Jokic different looks, they’re better off constantly exhausting his brain and hoping he gets tired of constantly making different reads. We saw the mavs do it to bron in 2011 and it wore on him.

[@DaRealBenRichards]

Clutch take JJ!

[@Findyification]

"How good this lakers team offensively" naaah its should be "How good these ref giving Free throw to LAL" 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MikeyBee-]

Child like comment

[@Findyification]

@@MikeyBee- LOL its FACTS

[@papadiom9260]

Another Warriors fans. Stephanie has gone fishing already 😂😂😂

[@travesotom6890]

Another hater 😆🤣

[@jacksonhinrichs5938]

Corn ball

[@M.L.official]

I love how the defense narrative switches depending on how good the Lakers are in defense. Literally last year you couldn't shut people up about how LA's defense would stop Denver. Now, LA's defense is WAYYYY worse than 2023, and Denver's defense is easily top 8 or so, probably top 3 when it comes to crunch time. Nobody talks about Denver's defense lol. Don't even get me started on the FT bullshit

[@mikehawk401]

Zone up vs Denver?

[@iluvcakes19]

You mean the Lakers don't get CALLED for fouls...and everyone else does against them.

[@tiktokexposed898]

They're just very disciplined and run scheme that limits the fouls they commit. Good skillset to have

[@Zett76]

@@tiktokexposed898 exactly! The Greatest Free Throw Discrepancy Team of all Times!! They're soooo good. 1100 more free throws than their opponents, over the last two seasons, while the 2nd best team doesn't even have 400! Nobody can do what the Greatest Free Throw Discrepancy Team of all Times can do. Why doesn't ESPN talk about that? They so should.

[@papadiom9260]

These Warriors fans are so funny. Give it up ! Curry is trash !

[@micatrsic8762]

​@@tiktokexposed898The Lakers' best bench are the referees

[@KANGLEEJOHN]

Lakers give up a lot of mids and paint points because of the scheme and makeup of the defense. So they really don't have a lot of opportunities to foul because guys are getting beat and sending them to the most discipline rim protector in the league. Not to mention they are more than comfortable letting teams take 3s off the dribble or your worst shooters jack up 3s. A lot of fouls teams commit on the Lakers are DUMB fouls that put them in the bonus with 5-6 mins left. That's at minimum 10 FTs

[@nikolaanthony4468]

Let me tell you this, DLo will be shooting after every game, yall know what that means 😂😂😂

[@harderway8568]

The thing is, MPJ's been playing incredibly well in the past two months or more, it'll make a big difference. Jokic can make his own shots, can play combos with Murray and AG, the Nuggets have great shooters overall, Jokic shoots very well from the distance and Christian Braun and Peyton Watson play some really good D. I don't think Lakers have a real chance to do anything.

[@MrSchisho]

0:41 Tommy with the Lorne Michaels impression!

[@troybrown9241]

This didn't age well. They should have tanked!!! Lol

[@TheGoogergieger]

What needs to happen for lakers to upset the nuggets? I don’t under the question and I won’t respond to it.

[@SEANNABIS1]

No answer for Jamal or the MV3️⃣ lakers defense is worse than last year - Major coaching advantage that nobody talks about..Malone is head & shoulders a better coach in the playoffs

[@p.f.912]

Lakers will win - they are deeper and more defensive than the Nuggets. Also - wild card - they are a better 3pt shooting team when they get hot. And i ain't a lakers fan, but the writing is on the wall. Add the revenge factor as well.

[@Tumorcoach]

How are they deeper if Denver bench averages more point and has better defense….? I swear yall just make up talking points 😂

[@Tumorcoach]

Only writing on the wall is how smooth brain this comment was 😂

[@moshimoshi4654]

Care to back that up? Whose defense is higher rated? Whose defense is better in the clutch? I’ll give you a clue, it ain’t the Lakers. What a joke…

[@watchmesquatch]

This is the STUPIDEST comment I've ever seen. 😂😂

[@moshimoshi4654]

@@watchmesquatch The only people that are more “defensive” are the Lakers fans 😂😂

[@j2d224]

LeBron and the Lakers need Tim Donaghy to come out of retirement for this play-off run.

[@Matt_Laine]

Calling the Lakers a team that “doesn’t foul” is a joke right?

[@kennyg1358]

It's like North Korean media talking about the Dear Leader.

[@AlanRobo]

They statistically are ranked in the top 3 for teams that foul least in the league. These are facts vs your opinions. Stats don’t lie…

[@kennyg1358]

@@AlanRobo stats lie all the time, usually by omission.

[@jarhead3571]

​@@AlanRoboI believe OP means the lakers get special treatment with refs unfairly not calling fouls on them even when they deserve it.

[@jeckyekling3265]

If you're following the lakers or a lakers fan who watch their every game, they are a team that plays honest defense. It means, defending without fouling consists of contesting vertically and always doing hands up 😅

[@Summer-vu5kw]

It doesnt change the fact that most of the true Laker fans right now have already enjoyed and satisfied watching the Lakers winning titles from 2000-2002, 2009-2010 and in 2020, so most of us dont care anymore.

[@brandond2233]

Tommy that hat 🔥

[@jmK-xj5fu]

With the free throw differential lately, Lakers in 4😤😂

[@dvdv8197]

Jokic just picked up his first foul on LeBron today.

[@sheltondmello8031]

Here you go planting the excuses already

[@jmK-xj5fu]

@@sheltondmello8031 Here you go assuming I'm making an excuse when you can just look at the numbers.

[@sebastiangonzales46]

​@@jmK-xj5fuIf only you watch games instead of looking at numbers without any context

[@rogoznicafc9672]

@@jmK-xj5fu I watched a couple of their recent games and honestly, there just wasn't that many fouls committed by them. It wasn't that the refs didn't call them it was just plain and simple not fouling their opponents. As per why they get so many of them, there also wasn't a huge disparity of what was called for them and what against them. Like 2 or 3 fouls per game where i was "hmm other team probably wouldn't get those" but those situations were still kinda fouls...idk honestly

[@21andyyc]

Lebron says, "JJ, here is your script for your podcast tonight."

[@davidwalter7145]

Who are the Lakers playing? I don't think you mentioned them!!!

[@user-rn9ge8pk5y]

Dlo and AR need to drive to open Rui up for 3's. Gabe need to lock down Murray. AD needs to be a stone cold killer on Defense AND offence.

[@benjaminpadilla4857]

Lakers has been studying the Nuggets all season long . You can only learn from losing .The Nuggets has not seen what the Lakers got for them because they're not doing the same thing they did when they lost .

[@BackThruster69]

Really good point, should be an exciting series

[@HishamMahmudinOC]

Nuggets watched Lakers Pelicans play-in as a team 😤

[@Gofroze]

They studied all summer and proceeded to lose 4 more games to them 😂

[@LLawliet-tv9ig]

Ugh, you do know it works both ways right? Nuggets have being studying the Lebron/AD led Lakers ever since the 2020 playoffs when they lost in WCF. Nuggets players watched the Lakers vs Pelicans play-in game at Jokic's house a few days ago. And the coaching staff also watched that game as well. I'm sure they've been watching Lakers films this week too. And of course, vice versa. You don't get to be champ by not preparing for your matchup.

[@nspihu]

By this logic the Pistons have been watching all the 29 teams !!!! 😂

[@kylecliett1892]

I blame the golden state warriors for this game they making the lakers lose this game early

[@christjormorante2025]

i think Vando returning could also be an x-factor in defense,i see him gettin the role of guarding MPJ and Gordon, and sometimes Jokic

[@ROY57ON]

I still think about the Laker's playoff run last season. Dillon Brooks said I don't respect you unless you drop 40 on me, and in the last game the Lakers beat the Grizzlies by 40. Then the Lakers got swept by Denver and in the last game Lebron dropped 40 points exactly. Just wild coincidences... 😵‍💫

[@lairjmjcccb]

Last year everything went Nuggets way. Murray has series of his life and Jokic made every impossible shot at crucial moments. Role players hits everything at perfect time. We underestimated them. LeBron was injured, D’Lo played with Nuggets jersey on. Referring to all above we were close in every single game. With little bit of luck we can beat them and obviously I hope we will. Let’s go Lakers 💜💛

[@bding1738]

But they played 4 games since then,and lost all 4 of them 😂

[@KarloBlaze]

Everything went Nuggets way because they were clearly a better rounded team. Lakers have a better chance this time for sure, but are they good enough to actually beat them?

[@idkanymore6634]

Brother Jamal averaged that the whole playoffs

[@nukenubz5087]

Lakers don't have Dennis or vando to guard murray anymore. Cam reddish would be their best bet and idk if he's even playing. Reaves and Russell are going to get eaten up on the jokic and murray pick and rolls.

[@berrymckockiner5883]

Everyone that says "the games were close even though the lakers got swept", Remember that the refs helped the Lakers stay in. The Lakers would have been blown out every game, had the refs not helped the Lakers.

[@harrybaizar1469]

Memory is subjective 😂

[@leroyrodgers6089]

There is no such thing as a close sweep. Better teams always find a way to win because they are that much better lol.

[@TheReal-trublu357]

All 4 games were toss ups​@@leroyrodgers6089

[@TheReal-trublu357]

Always blame the refs!! Smh

[@domdaniel8184]

Niggas always say the refs 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@patrik9050]

jjs reaction when he say's hams nams says it all

[@khalfanjunim2982]

Why is everything about the Lakers? Every talk show is asking what the Lakers can do which is fine but there hasn't been anything about how or why the Nuggets should win. Again, I've listened to a few already.

[@profesorz642]

denver vs refs 4-1

[@jflack6]

Absolutely

[@dzrdza]

Mosta accurate statement today

[@MikeyBee-]

Joker hooks with every spin. He pushes off, he’s over the back on 80% of his paint buckets! Hush

[@kevinl8440]

😂

[@nukenubz5087]

​@MikeyBee- you ironically just explained lebrons game too.

[@antman290]

JJ such a flip flop now he’s on the Laker train because he’s got a podcast wit bron 😭

[@pffasho]

Bingo!

[@bradmodd7856]

They are in good shape, they can win a game against Denver if DLo shoots hot, but they need 3 miracles to go with that win. Gabe Vincent could be one miracle....they don't have a lot of these catch fire players.

[@jrob2313]

Is my Internet broken or something? I'm looking up LA v. Denver H2H numbers b/c I was curious about the stat lines for AD and Jokic. In the open, you say Denver has won the last 9 meetings (if you include the playoffs). I'm pretty sure it's just their last 8. You also say the last time LA won against them was April of 2022. I'm seeing two wins for LA against Denver in December of '22. I recognize they got swept last year, and they were 0-3 in the season series this year, but some of the points made hear don't sound accurate. And they paint a different picture than what feels real heading into this matchup, which should be highly competitive.

[@thrillmack4455]

Its funny only reason you sayin this is because you and LBJ got a podcast. I really hope my Nuggets sweep yall again just to shut yall up.

[@pixelflare8337]

corniest reply ever lmao- I think nuggets take this easily but you clearly do not watch JJ’s takes at all, he does this often with lots of teams and idk when nuggets fans got so insufferable and annoying all the sudden lmao- get over it and stop sucking LBJ’s tip 😭

[@pixelflare8337]

corniest reply ever lmao- I think nuggets take this easily but you clearly do not watch JJ’s takes at all, he does this often with lots of teams and idk when nuggets fans got so insufferable and annoying all the sudden lmao- get over it and stop sucking LBJ’s tip 😭

[@tae238]

Stop crying

[@maaaateyourrekidding6918]

🧹🧹🧹🧹

[@tuckereldridge1169]

He signs up with you for a podcast and you switched sides? Nothing happens. Nothing can change. Nuggets are bigger, faster, stronger and younger, are built top heavy for the 8 man playoff rotation, and they have homecourt. Nuggets in 5.