(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have been defeated by numerous teams over the last few years but no other squad has beaten them like the Denver Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic and his team have taken down the Lakers eight times in a row and have repeatedly outplayed them.
Now, the Lakers are set to face the Nuggets again on Saturday as the playoffs begin.
Speaking on “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith said the Lakers need to change their approach to playing the Nuggets.
“Being calm hasn’t worked. Being even-keeled hasn’t worked,” Smith said.
“Being calm hasn’t worked. Being even-keeled hasn’t worked.”
—@stephenasmith says that LeBron James and the Lakers need to bring the energy against the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/wzHFlTup88
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 19, 2024
Smith focused on LeBron James and his leadership.
He said that James has tried to be cool, calm, and collected against the Nuggets in the past.
But that didn’t result in wins against Denver, so now it’s time to change things up and bring a lot more energy to the game.
To be fair, there are many teams that have a hard time with the Nuggets.
However, the Lakers have a lot to prove because of how often they have been defeated by the Nuggets and because they have James leading the team.
They should be seen as giant slayers who have the expertise and experience to surprise Denver.
The problem is that the Nuggets are incredibly powerful giants.
Most people assume that Denver will beat Los Angeles in the opening round.
But if the Lakers can surprise everyone and score victories, that will make a huge statement that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
If that is going to happen, James and the Lakers will have to alter their approach to the reigning champions, according to Smith.
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