Why the Lakers took Anthony Davis off Nikola Jokic (!)
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2023
- The Nuggets outlasted the Lakers in Game 1, but LA made a key adjustment down the stretch to slow down Nikola Jokic. This detailed film breakdown & scouting report analyzes why Jokic was so successful attacking Anthony Davis, and what the Lakers did in the 4th quarter to help turn the opening game around in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.
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Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
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#ThinkingBasketball - Sport
The chess game that is playoff basketball. Love it.
It's a copycat League it's not a chess move he literally watch Joe mazzulla play Joel the same way.
Are you expecting them to come out with new plays everygame ? Obviously they use the same plays
@@TheRealMRGG85 yeah buddy the deck of cards is gonna be the same every time it’s how you use it. It’s not like the pieces on a chess board change either right?
@MR GG if you ever played chess you'd know even in chess you have openings and plays that have been used so many times before. It's only about how you used them
@@samt7676 lol what the larker did was more a kinn to a game of connect the dots than a game if chess it was a movie we could all see coming and the nuggets will have a counter for the next game.
Something that I think isn't getting enough recognition about jokic is how he shot 70 TS% during the regular season without exclusively shooting from the rim
What’s this mean exactly? Mid range shots?
@@dispencil he shoots from everywhere, he's not just someone who sits in the dunker spot waiting for high percentage lobs and putbacks, So his true shooting is incredibly high for his shot profile.
i did notice. But most fans don't even know wtf is true shooting. Most are numbers analfabets, and mostly can just understand ppg, rpg, apg. These do even happen even to nba players. Some that do know a "little more" can understand fg%, 3 point% and free throw %. Most can not even understand that a player that shoots extremely well from the free throw line , and generates a lot of free throws can be a super efficient scorer despite having mediocre FG and 3point % (example james harden). That's why still so many people (including players and executives) think Russell westbrook is a plus, when in fact, he is one of the most inefficient players in the league.
@Leonardo Yi I totally agree, I hope TS% becomes the universal measurement of shooting efficiency some day
@@dispencil Imagine you have a toy basketball hoop, and you want to see how good you are at scoring points. True shooting percentage is like a special way to measure that.
When you try to throw the ball into the hoop, sometimes it goes in and you score a point. Other times, it doesn't go in and you miss. True shooting percentage looks at all the different ways you can score points, like throwing the ball, making free throws, and shooting from far away.
If you have a high true shooting percentage, it means you are really good at scoring points and you don't waste many chances. You make lots of shots and score a lot of points!
So, true shooting percentage helps us know how good a basketball player is at scoring points and being efficient with their shots. It's like a way to see how good they are at playing basketball!
Lakers definitely need to take the approach that Jokic is unstoppable. Limit the doubles, stay at home on everyone else, take AD off him so he can help off the ball and see if Jokic can win this series by himself.
If history has shown us anything, it’s that one man can’t win a playoff series by himself.
In the 4th, they were holding them down hard with a double on Jamal, I think that's the method, since they are so deadly together, but equally alone. Im a nuggets fan, so I hope they don't find it out but still 💀
Both teams do of course but the problem with that scheme is Denver is very capable to run a 5 out offense and just get corner threes all game long. At its worst we saw Jeff Green shoot that corner shot confidently. It’s lakers best shot but I don’t think it’s enough. If one scheme is your plan you’re doomed
how does anything you said stops the rest of the Nuggets? Jamal Murray, KCP and MPJ did their damage in the perimeter, the only guy this strategy froze was Aaron Gordon and contained Jokic as well. All this to say, it did improve their defense by a lot and made a lot harder to score in the paint, but simply putting AG on Aaron Gordon isnt the same as "letting Jokic win this alone", it is actually quite the opposite
Both teams have adjustments to make* but I feel Denver has more room to grow from that game then La
Anyone else see the moth at 3:25? There's been SO MANY of them in Denver the past two weeks
i thought that was the old san antonio bat 😂
I thought it was a Batman/Joker reference
In Colorado for vacation and we had 5 in our hotel room last night lol
Denver is strange indeed. The altitude and temperature are harder on athletes lungs as well
Grew up in Colorado. I forgot the “Miller” moths can be like mosquitoes in some places (sort of).
If they try this against next game, I expect some wide open corner 3's for MPJ or KCP from AG screens out of the dunker spot. The Lakers showed this to Jokic too soon.
It already happened. Kcp shoot wide open 3 at 129-126 but he missed so that adjustment went under the radar, but it generated an excellent shot
They still havr lebron..if rui can bron can
I like the idea of making Gordon the screen setter and keeping AD out of the paint. If the Lakers want to have him 20' out covering his man, I'm sure the Nuggets will be perfectly happy to oblige. Can you imagine Jokic and Murray able to go to the basket at will with no center nearby?
This is exactly right. If i'm a lakers fan I would be discouraged that they already had to show their hand and give Malone and Jokic 2 days to prepare. Jokic will only get better as the series goes on.
@@SDesWriter I think AD can switch everything except for the Jokic-Gordon one
You guys were both right in the podcast haha! AD couldn't defend Jokic 1 on 1 and the Lakers would try to play AD off of Jokic for rim protection against cutters. Love the content guys, always learn from your stuff and learn what to look for on gameday and the videos/podcasts are always entertaining as well.
Tbf it is a strategy the Sixers used, they had Tucker on Jokic all game and had Embiid as the rim protector, and it worked very well
@@WindowLicker_-9 there’s a video here of that game.
@@WindowLicker_-9 yes but one qtr and whole series are literally 2 different planets, like nuggets won't adjust to that..
Tbf there is no one in this world who can guard jokic 1 on 1. Especially since you have to worry about his passing all the time
AD was blocking his shots but okay then...
Putting Rui on Jokic and making AD stays on paint reduces the cutting plays of Denver. However, it will leave 1 shooter wide open. If Aaron Gordon will knock those wide open 3s then that's a new problem for the lakers.
It doesn't have to be AG they can put someone else in the corner 3
Unfoutrantanly Gordon has been ass this postseason
If they put someone else in that corner they're sacrificing defense and rebounding in Gordon. Lakers can then adjust on top of that adjustment
@@ryanbarnes4370 not necessarily denver has a couple of great shooters that size that are also good defenders
Just get AG to screen off ball for KCP or MPJ. If Davis wants to stay home that's a wide open 3 every time. If Davis switches then the paint is clear. Similar to how the warriors punish people sagging off Draymond or Looney. Jokic will find that shooter. It was actually pretty poor coaching and surprising that as soon as Davis went into roam mode who ever he was guarding should have been setting endless off ball screens with Jokic up high.
I'm 5 minutes into the video, but I gotta say Jokic is an absolute phenom. He's a generational player.
Jokic's gravitational pull reminds me of Steph Curry. They way he occupies the defense and the many ways he can operate on offense, screening, passing, coming off screens but also being able to post up and iso.
He's the best, most complete offensive player ever. He has zero weaknesses offensively. Absolutely none.
@@Sean.Cordes the real triple double machine
@@sendoh7xyeah it’s real and not stat padding. A joy to watch in action
I was just about to comment this lol. Both of them are amazing
@@Sean.Cordes so true, his offensive game is like lebron combined with dirk. Though sadly his defense is definitely dirk-like as well
This is absolutely amazing analysis. This is what fans are missing in the sports media right now a breakdown of the strategy. It's so nice to get away from the narratives and hot takes and acknowledge the skills of each team. Think I found my new favorite channel
espn does not even analyse the game , just gossiping
@@leen908 ...and endless who's the GOAT.
There are many different low key sports media/podcasts that have been doing a better job looking at the game from a film perspective than Fox and ESPN. Just gotta tune in more in more to those things.
@@leen908 excuse me I never thought of I tried checking out some of the analysis this morning to get some nuggets perspective and it's just Lakers Lakers yeah just ridiculous gossip that's very well said thanks have a great day
Do you want to know the history of basketball? czcams.com/video/eZkjBnaMkIg/video.html
All time classic sweep
This is why I love the game with talented bigs, brings the chess back to basketball
Do you want to know the history of basketball? czcams.com/video/eZkjBnaMkIg/video.html
Good way to put it very true..
I think Aaron Gordon setting a pin down screen for MPJ in the corner could be something Malone could try to counter the AD roaming coverage?
Either that or weaponizing MPJ as an offball screener for the best Nuggets shooters since AD would need to be high up on the screens to defend them properly.
Who is playing? Jeff Green and Bruce Brown would have to have 30 from the corner for that to matter. Unless you are a for sure shooter teams will play the averages until players stop shooting or break the rhythm of the offense. You may catch fire for a game, but not a series.
@@andysawyer647 It wouldn't be a corner three. They would start out of the opposite corner with the pin down sending them above the break into Jokic passing angle. The wide open advantage doesn't even have to be a three there they can just come straight down hill and look to spray out again. The whole action is just a distraction to see if Davis will switch; if he does Jokic can just mash until the double comes and if he doesn't he can hit the pass.
@Russell Byrnes who would the initial match up be? That's my main suspicion given that defense. You beat it by cutting like a short role and a redirect to the perimeter or another cutter. This still eats clock and makes people play out of their role, but you can get scoring actions. All of this is mainly to disrupt the smoothness of the Nuggets offense.
Coach Malone has seen the Rui adjustment before when Doc Rivers put PJ Tucker on Jokic with Embiid roaming at AG's dunker spot. There is no way a team as competitive as Denver Nuggets would still not have prepared an answer to that. Malone probably didn't want to show his countermeasure and give the Lakers the time to prepare for it before game 2, because the Nuggets were leading comfortably for most of the 4th qtr. Can get risky but so do chess moves that yield high rewards.
Yeah 100% I agree, expect a lot more open 3s from Nuggets in the next game, with Gordon and MPJ switching
@@maddawg9636 Gordon is not a good outside shooter lol, that's why he's always on the dunker spot. Haha the best way to counter it, sit AG and start much better outside shooter but if they sit him who will guard LeBron then?
@sixto025 He is actually pretty decent shooter, not an elite by any means but he will hit an open shot. They are all professional basketball players, you never want to leave the guy open, reason he plays the dunker spot often is because there is no reason to have him outside when you have Murray MPJ and KCP who are all better shooters, especially followed up with Jokics pick and roll/pop
Gordon is 41% from the right corner. He's considerably worse anywhere else. But if the Lakers want to do a roaming AD, he'll almost certainly be able to line up those right corner 3's he loves so much over and over. Either that or draw AD into over-committing, drive past, get a whistle and force AD into foul trouble.
If the Lakers lose because AG shoots there lights out I'll live with that honestly..I also think the Lakers will have a little wrinkle as well like the other defender out top in the elbow area will kinda be in a little matchup zone and eyeing that corner guy and AD won't have to close out every time if they kick it to AG because the elbow guy can swing over and then it forces another pass depending on how long Denver takes to get into there sets will depend how things work..But I live with AG beating me from outside and that's all she wrote.Like Darvin Said not 1 guy or 1 pitch is gonna stop joker u gotta switch your pitches..Pick and choose when you're putting AD on him and when your putting Rui on him.. Bottom line is small ball isn't gonna work this series..Only one of DLo and Dennis can be on the floor at the same time
Best channel
This channel is amazing. You showed the exact same play three times in a row with three different reads/actions. THIS is a breakdown. Other channels just show scoring actions and call it a breakdown, whereas you show the screens, the lines and the reads to help understanding that it's not that someone was slacking or did a wrong call, but that there are so many calls, both from offense and defense that things can go in all these different ways. Thanks for the content! :)
Just love the breakdowns man... Playoff basketball is just great this year. U really need good coaching to win unlike the years past... GSW really opened up modern basketball to higher level.
This is the best basketball channel on CZcams by far! Absolutely love this content
Thank you so much for teaching me about the game through your wonderful play analysis. So so good!!
I’m a basketball newbie and have joined the fun of watching Jokic and the rest of the teams game. I’m not the only one who’s sick of the constant self promotion and posturing of the typical American NBA players.
2:55 That's INSANE, insane how having a point center completly changes the dynamic. I realzed right away how forcing Ad to a great shooter frees the paint to a great center against small guys, something the warriors didnt have.
Hows that goin for yall?
Nuggets up 3-0 now beautiful basketball reminds me of 2014 spurs.
Maaaaan... I love your analysis. I believe everyone can see that Jokic is an amazing player, but only when you break it down to nuances, like you always do, one can really appreciate the geniuses of a maestro that player like Jokic is.
Thank you for bringing these details to attention of a casual viewer and keep it up!
I've also thought that this is the same pattern with Celtics defending Embiid and 76ers defending Jokic, all thanks to you. I guess this is the newest, and probably the best, defensive coverage for good offensive bigs. I've also noticed Celtics were occasionally doing something similar with Giannis. Put Marcus on him, and when he goes by him there is Horford or Robert Williams to block or deflect.
Thank you for these great videos and teaching us great schemes of the highest level basketball on planet.
Jokic IQ spatial intelligence is over the charts, This NBA postseason has been great, and the teams are so well matched that the coaches Will be the real factor here
It is basketball not Quantum Physics. Guy is just big that is all. A Grizzly bear could make the lay up shots that Jokic lives by.
@@tedcarter8074 not the passing, this is why some many low IQ players suck at improvising and creating plays for the team
I was just like that when i played, i don't care if You believe it or not, it's Dunning Krugrer síndrome to believe is not that rare. Larry Bird was like that also
@@robertoamarillas I wonder why you Stephen Hawkings of the NBA never made it to MVP ? Let me quote an in your face great. "When all is said and done strength and size will never fail you" Kevin Garnett The joker is a good big guy playing in an era when centers are nonexistent. I am going to name one center that is far better but I could name ten. Kareem
@tedcarter8074 I guess you are not a white dude... Quite frustrated I see 😂
I am a Lakers fan but i dont mind Nuggets win. Jokic deserves this
Thinking Basketball is the best basketball channel I've seen. Love your breakdowns and how you put your videos together.
Game 2 nuggets showed what a real comeback and closeout looks like. There's no "almost" comeback or "barely" lost. Nuggets all day baby 😤
I kinda feel whoever wins WCF is gonna be the champion this season
Denver v Boston would be CRAAAAAZY. And the best possible Finals, aside from the boomer "Lakers vs Celtics" BS.
@@shorewall Yuck
I liked the Celtics chances in the Finals but Mazzulla is showing his coaching weakness. It could be the thing that gets him beat especially against someone like Spoelstra whose a proven playoff tactician.
This gonna be one of the series of all time.
😂
game one is indeed, a game 1 of all time
4-1 Nuggets. Lakers were shooting like 70% in the second half and not missing jumpers
That meme doesn’t even make sense here. This isn’t Wizards v Pacers, this series looks great
@@voltaire6062 ratio
It’s crazy nuggets fans actually know basketball. It’s a better fan experience, coming off that warrior series.
Appreciate you noticing that. Historically, to be a Nuggs fan you just gotta like basketball more than you like winning. And now it's extra sweet bc we winning too!!!
Shout out to Cody for calling a Rui series in the podcast
I remember in 2rd where both teams were throwing 3s and then Jokic made a shot behind his head. He become in Larry Bird on that moment
I feel like Bruce Brown can really help the Nuggets this series.
Do you want to know the history of basketball? czcams.com/video/eZkjBnaMkIg/video.html
Willis Mackey Jr brought me here, love this breakdown
that "wheew" was smooth :D
It's only been one game but I'm seeing Denver vs Miami in the Finals. Jokic and Playoff Jimmy both have a variety of scorers while LeBron & AD and Tatum & Brown are carrying most of their team's scoring load. Plus playing defense on the others teams main scorers.
Aged well 👍
What an incredible video. And I loved the fact you pulled up Celtics vs 76ers. As you were talking about how Hachimura was pushing Jokic and allowed AD to stay inside, I thought "This is the same at that other game!". Couldn't remember what it was haha. But yeah same tactic as with Embiid. I have to say however, Embiid is more limited than Jokic, and we could see that on the 76ers last game.
I wonder how Malone is going to switch up things to prevent this next game.
The Cetlitcs are the scariest team in the playoffs other than the Heat. They can literally playback style they have continuously been deepnin the playoffs, and they are the deepest team.
Playoff Jimmy is scary too, and he been resting.
This doesn't even mention that Joel couldn't move, and BBallBreakdown just showed how bad Doc's teams play in the playoffs. Did not realize just how bad that he's been.
Embiid doesn't have wings willing to pre-switch. Meanwhile all of Jokic's teammates can pre-switch if needed. Just a matter of Jokic playing the drop in case the guy who pre-switched got beat at the screen.
@@andysawyer647 Celtics @ finals tho lmao holy shit Erik Spo is wiping the floor with them
@@t4d0W that's a great point. Also, teams need to ghost their non-shooters to the corner or have them set pin downs on the backside of the defense so that centers can't zone the paint.
And talking about this channel what an extraordinary display of analysis and overall explanation. Simply put very well done
Surely THIS adjustment will stop Jokic 😂. Thinking basketball still trying to satisfy the mob who was mad at him for calling him the offensive GOAT. You were right about that, stick with it, theres no defense gonna stop him.
If the lakers want to win then they must force jokic to be a scorer and not run the offense. Its risky but its the best option
The problem on that is that Murray can run the offense (not as well as Jokic, but he can do it).
@@rockonileva Well that is better. Murray running the offense isn't as dynamic as Jokic's passing in the half court. Plus if Murray ends up finishing the possession, just hope he's not on a heat check.
I remember that this was Phoenix's exact plan. Just let him score, and try and take everyone else out. I know they're not the same team.
I do not see anyone "force" Jokic in any way. If by forcing, it is meant to let him score, score he will. And if Lakers's best chance to win against Nuggets is to let the most efficient player in NBA score more, this is not going to last long. Nuggets are dangerous basketball team.
@@markotoshich7676 Jokic may have scored 50 in this playoffs but he can't sustain it for long stretches while his teammates continue to not attack the basket or get clankers off good looks. Meanwhile Lebron can sustain getting 20+ points and AD playing no fly zone defending the basket. Fans are too obsessed seeing teams win pretty/efficiently but in the playoffs you can never guarantee that. And the Lakers now much like in 2020 are capable of winning ugly, low possession games.
I saw ThinkingBasketball's breakdown of Wilt Chamberlain with that Jokic first half, THAT is what peak Wilt had to have looked like. The assists adds the playmaking that makes it elite offensive rating, its a thing of beauty to watch the Joker, not like the Batman, but like the versatility of the Card -- he is Magic + Walton + Moses Malone, apparently + a dirty pull up 3...
Wilt was probably the greatest athlete of all big men, but his handle was not good
hey man, i appreciate you saying you hope we’re all having a good day at the end. thought that was sweet. my day was pretty good but hearing that level of positivity just makes my day even brighter you know. and shoutout the sambal shuffle or what have u that man is wild!
Best analysis of the game I have seen so far! Thanks!
Jokic was so on fire he wasn't just drawing double teams, he was drawing moths 🔥
When I get on fire 🔥 I draw hummingbirds 🤔😮
I’m a moth nomnom
Is it me or many of these defensive possessions with Davis parked under the basket are actually 3 seconds violations?
His other foot is outside the paint or the one his guarding has also a foot in the paint, the 3 sec count will only start if both foot is inside the paint
Its you
@@donlon2579 i am not 100% familiar with the nuances of the rule. So you can have one foot in without the count starting, but to reset the count you need both feet outside the paint, correct?
You should have seen what Looney did against Sacramento. I counted at least 10 possessions when Big Kevon was just chilling in the post for more than 8 seconds. It was ridiculous.
@@donlon2579 right, still in multiple one he has both in the paint. I don't remember the last time I have seen it called in general
No bias analysis. I like it. And i learn something new everytime i watch your videos. Thanks! Keep it up!
Thank you so much for this video and breakdown! Such a interesting series.
hopefully coach Malone will make the proper adjustments, make AD roam outside the paint, and let Jokic eat on Rui
The winners at the end of the day is the fans.
We get to see one of the greatest offensive players go agaisnt one of the greatest defensive players go head to head. Oh and the potential goat is there too 😂
hey man i spotted both adjustment and think of your analysis while watchin the game lol
3:25 I blew wind towards my eyes thinking it was a real fly lol
Very excited to see what counters the nuggets bring and if the lakers are ready for those with their own etc
At the start of the game I was exactly wondering why the Lakers wasn't copying Philly strategy against Jokic, done😂
Man this video combined with Get GOODER at Basketball makes for a fantastic night! You guys emailed this
Amazing content!@
Problem is what they gonna do when rui picks up 5 fouls in first half lmao
Lol, for real.
How much better than 40 and 10 does AD have to play for them to win..
For real, AD has been great this post season, but not every game. This was a great game from him, and it was still a loss, and almost a blow out.
This is the most complete analysis about this game that I have seen. Thank you.
Thanks for your videos! I love them... and I learn a lot!
Bro you gon have to apologize to Cody. He called this.
Im gonna start playing like Jokic in pickup and make all my teammates fall in love with me
Boutta play like the dad that makes sure all his kids have fun
Just make sure that you're also an unstoppable scorer, that way those passing lanes open up.
Can you do a video about coaches and why they should or shouldn't be fired?
Love this time of year 🤙🏾
Jokic has gotten a lot more offense in bis arsenal. Darvin is really gonna have to dig deep to solve this riddle
He just stopped one of jokic biggest bags “PLAYMAKING” . If yu watch the fourth quarter that adjustment worked godlike
@highlightking0 can you imagine if it didn't work! Would end up 0-8? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Cody called it!
Amazing analysis!
Love this channel
Aging poorly
As a Laker fan i def think AD needs to be careful tho bcuz he could have been called for 3 in the key multiple times playing that free safety role. Also we need to swap DLO for Troy here ...he was -26 too easy of a switch hunt for them
Great breakdown! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Good analysis. 👍
Last few weeks we heard "It's gonna be different, HE'S a generational defensive talent." Just like we heard from Rudy/Kat in playoffs, Draymond/Looney last spring. Iannis/Lopez, embid, Bam, etc.... All say the same until it doesn't work and you move to plan B . Unfortunately no other superstar is better at taking what they give/adjusting.
Plan A on defense was the big selling point: "This guy is different." We buried plan A by halftime and let's never speak of it again.
The only player who can guard Jokic is Embiid.
Lakers fans are idiots. The only reason Jokic had a hard time in 2020 was Lakers had AD at the 4 and 2 very good big defenders who were allowed to hack the shit out of Jokic for no calls in McGee and Howard.
The Warriors had Shrek and Donkey hacking the fuck out of Jokic for no calls last playoffs
Draymond and Looney actually did very well against him, he had 5.8 assists (which is a huge dip for him) and 4.8tov (not a good ast/to ratio). He was still scoring a lot, but they cut the most impressive and important aspect of his game, his playmaking. But there is only so much you can contain the all time greats. Ayton deserves some respect cause he was criticised but now we see that AD also cant guard Jokic 1v1.
@@futurehofer1564 His two starting guards in that series last season were Austin Rivers (got a DNP for the worst team in the playoffs this season) and Facu Campazzo who is out of the league. That might have had something to do with Jok's lower assists.
@@kevind4606 in other words, most of his teammates could not hit the wide side of a barn
It’s going to be different is correct though. “Plan A” is more like feeling out and adjusting
You think they should just stick to the first thing they throw at the wall?
I think the Lakers' best bet on the defensive end is to keep AD in the paint to deter any shots at the rim. I think Rui and LeBron can both try and guard Jokic at the post since they are the bigger players for the Lakers.
The problem is that AD has to stay near his man. So if Denver is smart and moves him around, Gordon could keep Davis out of the paint for much of his time on the floor. He'd have to sacrifice his shooting and rebounding a bit, but the reward for no center in the paint would be very high.
@@SDesWriter As a Laker fan I'd rather have Davis staying near the paint w/ Gordon having to make a lot of 3s. I'd much rather have him taking those shots than Jokic making those passes for warmup-line layups!
@@zerocal76easy, put mpj in that spot.
@@CCXwskiii they’ll keep bron on mpj
@@zerocal76 Yeah but that's the point. If they switch AD to Gordon so he can freelance, then Gordon does the picks at the top of the key and Davis has to show, leaving the lane WIDE open. All about the adjustments.
Great analysis!
Educational in-depth analysis has already announced the defeats of LA!
Agreed about the Jamal Murray post defending LeBron adjustment, but it doesn't help when LeBron can ground and pound for over 5 seconds and take like 5 steps as he does @10:08.
Denver should move MPJ to the 4 and start Bruce Brown over AG to get AD out of the paint like the Warriors successfully done in streches of the last series, i would even consider starting Jeff Green over AG to strech the floor and open for Jokic because AG 3 point shot isnt trustful enough, i also think AG is kind of a bad team defender, Bruce Brown is certainly better at team D, AG excels at 1v1 defense but i dont think that is needed as much agaisnt the Lakers as it was against KD and the Suns but AG is honestly such a negative on offense that i would consider those moves
Watching these two teams is like watching a early 2000's game
With less 3 pointers and more in paint points
Fundamentals 🔥🔥
nothing at all like that, look at that ball movement! maybe late 80's early 90's the 2000s were all about iso iso iso
Great video!
Did Bruce Brown just bang on 3 people, causing 2 players to hit each other?
I think jokic has the softest touch close to the basket then just about anyone else I’ve ever seen.
9:54 is a hilarious picture of the defense.
Thank you. I been seeing so many videos hyping up the AD/Jokic matchup for a week now. Since the warriors series I knew AD could NOT be guarding Jokic or any other 3pt shooter or the paint is left wide open. It'll be horrible. Wish Ham realized that and didn't start 3 damn guards.
really curious to see what adjustments the nuggets will make next game
Nuggets are one of the best shooting teams, most likely with AD roaming the paint like that they will pull out of the paint and have guys like kcp gordon and mpj take open threes
Everyone was hating on Denver for how they ended the regular season but I think this series showed how smart they were. AD and LBJ were GASSED. They had nothing left in the tank and Denver just manhandled them. There were some serious issues with illegal screens that made it especially tough for the Lakers, but AD just got punked, and Lebron looked like "barely" an all-star - not a player that could carry a team. Also, Gordon was just a mismatch the Lakers couldn't handle... he constantly caused rotation issues. If Vandy can learn to hit a wide open 7-15ft bank shot then he might be able to play playoff mins and the lakers could have maybe had some help, but basically with AD and Lebron being out of steam, DLO being GARBAGE, and Hachi's shooting falling back to earth after having to expend so much energy at D? It was no surprise the Lakers lost.
new to the channel definitely subscribing after this video
It;s always fun to see great passing rewarding cutters... which really just cements them into cutting evem more.
Yeah, I fuck with the Nuggets style of basketball. Real team ball, starting with Jokic.
Hot Take: AD seemed really tired chasing Jokic area. How he put up 40 is beyond me. It’s the quietest 40 ever because Jokic was balling out so hard. Lebron needs to be the X factor this series like AD was against the Warriors.
This is a great breakdown of a player who has a total game (Jokic)
Love the breakdown! But on a side note, at 3:24 is that a bird that flies in front of the camera inside the arena??
Dude, that bug scared the hell out of me. Anyways, Jokic good.
great analysis
Amazing break down
The lakers could start rui on jokic so anthony davis can act as a free safety on defense because he is guarding aaron gordon..... if im denver i will shock the lakers and start jeff green at power forward instead of aaron gordon...... jeff green can consistently hit the open three which will force anthony davis to guard him and prevent him from being around the paint, while jokic manhandles rui one on one
AD WAS JUST STOOD IN THE PAINT... cos AG just stood on the bass line... he'd he great in Philly...
Tbh I'd rather have Zeke Nnaji over Green but Malone prefers veterans more so most likely it would be Jeff Green.
That seems like a good move. Gordon hasn't seemed as effective in the playoffs. He seems to make his living cutting and getting fed by Jokic and playoff teams don't allow that so easily. Add to that he doesn't seem very adept at creating his own shot and you've got to think about switching it up.
Jeff Green is older and not as athletic as Gordon, but you're right that his three-point ability can maybe move AD out and create spaces in the LA defense. I hope they do it. Might give Gordon some lanes to cut through.
@@VinceLyle2161 Green shot 30% from 3 the past 2 seasons and 27% this playoff. Laker will absolutely live with it
When has Jeff Green ever been consistent at anything?
1:47 we dont teach flop
😂
Series is gonna be a classic
As shown in another video from this channel Joker can run a pick and roll as a ball handler. So I expect Joker to get some ball screens from Jeff Green or whoever AD is guarding, and it either going to force a hedge or a scram switch. I also expect Lakers to run more Zone on some possessions. We will see.
if AG start making those Open jumpers from the corner Davis is gonna be forced to guard Jokic again
AG was solid on defense per usual, but had one of his worst shooting games. No one will ever mistake him for a great shooter, but we can hope for better
Lakers will take AG shooting 3-balls than having him cut or rim run.
Nuggets need to Risk it. Fight over the screen or go under it and keep AG on Lebron. But most importantly make AD come back on Jokic by doing alot of PnRs. That way you can keep AD out of the paint so the cutters can get easy buckets. It’s better than putting your season on whether AG can make consistent Jumpers
This. They need to go under on Lebron. I'd rather him be chucking threes instead of posting up Jamal Murray and elbowing him in the face.
@@shorewallyeah idk why they are giving that switch. It’s not 2016, let alone 2010 where he can beat the defender to the other side of the screen. If he wants all those threes fine. Make ‘em
@@shorewall Exactly. Lebron is shooting 25% From 3 this Playoffs so far. Why would you EVER go over the screen or switch!!!! Even if it was PRIME lebron I would still go Under the screen