#LAKERS VS NUGGETS GAME 5 2009 SERIES#

Trevor Ariza's defense, Derek Fisher's late shooting, and Kobe Bryant's everything, as well as some stretches of very strong defense and an ability to flip that switch and make the right plays at the end of the game, all led to a gritty win. We've touched on some of the positives that enabled the Lakers to emerge victorious from the Game 1 scrum. The latter is the longer list, so we'll start with the former. In focusing now on Game 2, let's take another look at Game 1, where we'll see the positive things that the Lakers need to build on, and the negatives that they need to improve on. To win when so much went wrong showed maturity, mental toughness, resiliency, determination, and the kind of mindset that will be necessary for the Lakers to win a championship. The team played poorly for the first 42 minutes, and even in the final six, they were only as good as their best player. The Lakers' Game 1 win over the Nuggets on Monday was so gratifying because it was so difficult, and because it showed the team's resolve. Why? Because Tuesday night didn't go so well. Thursday night? Things should only continue to improve. Wednesday night made it a little bit better. That's more than every franchise except for three - Lakers, Celtics and Warriors (Philly/GS).Tuesday night ended well for Lakers fans. Tenth career NBA Finals appearance for LeBron James. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)Īnthony Slater adds LeBron stat on Twitter: Filling those holes is the top priority this offseason. They need more depth at the forward/center spots, and perhaps more big guys that can also produce strong offense.

#LAKERS VS NUGGETS GAME 5 2009 SERIES#

That being said, this Lakers series proved the Nuggets are still missing some key players. Those are the main positive takeaways from this season - the Nuggets have a very bright future ahead of them. Jokic reminded everyone why he's one of the best centers in the league. Murray proved to be a rising, All-Star caliber player. No matter what happened against the Lakers, this season should be considered a raging success. It took two seven-game series, but they made it. Kendra Andrews, Nuggets beat writer: It may have surprised everyone else, but the Nuggets knew they were a conference-finals contender since training camp last October. What Denver's 3-1 deficit rallies said about the team As for the better matchup for the Lakers? Miami has been on a mission in these playoffs and no team should want any piece of the Heat. Whether it’s the combo of Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum for the Celtics or the focused Jimmy Butler, the Lakers will have to adjust to such dynamic wing players. It was a fairly efficient path through the West, with the Lakers winning each series in just five games, but either Finals matchup presents some challenges for the Lakers. Oram: The Lakers will enter the Finals as a heavy favorite regardless of whether Miami or Boston emerges from the East. For a franchise that appeared directionless after the retirement of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers find themselves four wins away from a championship just four years after the legend retired. The ascension to the top of the West validates the commitment by general manager Rob Pelinka to an aging James in 2018 and the steep price tag to bring Davis in as his running mate a year later. Reversing a decade of misfortune and tragedy, the NBA’s glamour franchise is in the Finals for the first time in a decade, and James is in his ninth Finals in 10 years. Frank Vogel: The underappreciated component of the Lakers’ successīill Oram, Lakers beat writer: They’re back.

Lakers vs nuggets game 5 2009