Los Angeles Lakers lose to Denver Nuggets in Game 3, 5 Lessons

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 22: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Quinn Cook #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers kneel during the National Anthem with VOTE shirts on prior to the start of the game against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 22: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Quinn Cook #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers kneel during the National Anthem with VOTE shirts on prior to the start of the game against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Rajon Rondo decided that the Los Angeles Lakers weren’t going to lose this game. The man just did not have enough help!

Don’t check your eyes, don’t unplug your computer. Ronald Agers wasn’t replaced and his shoulder is not killing him. Rajon Rondo was the only player that did not take this game for granted. After Murray’s dunk to put the Nuggets up 20 points, Rondo turned the game around.

Rondo had 3 steals in a 4-minute span. He was the leader of an intense zone defense that led to six straight Nuggets turnovers. He actually was ripping Murray one on one.

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1308608057832697856

Beside this steal, the pass to LeBron gave Rondo the 9th spot on the all time playoffs list passing the late great Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.

In 30 minutes, Rondo scored 9 points (4-10 shooting!) with 8 assists and 2 rebounds. But it was his intensity that showed in this game. The Lakers carved Denver’s lead to 3 points because of this guy.

One thing though, Rajon turned down a couple of open shots. He has to take them. If he’s going to play with this intensity, he will stay on the floor no matter what. Even if he misses, it allows the Lakers bigs to get the rebound even though they showed little evidence in this game.

The next lesson is about the role players. Let’s just start with Danny Green. Lake Show Life has been all over him for two months. It’s seems a Lakers legend notices too!