Los Angeles Lakers lose to Denver Nuggets in Game 3, 5 Lessons
By Ronald Agers
![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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e8e206227e509e947113d674714bc40c0ee6b90d5d206aba1d0d2ccf4ac69195.jpg)
If Danny Green has to start for the Los Angeles Lakers fine, just keep him away from crunch time!
When Danny Green signed his two years $30 million contracts, it was funny how some of the Lakers fans actually was hyping him up just because he won the NBA Finals with Toronto. It was clear that it was the money set aside for Kawhi Leonard.
What gets lost is that he wasn’t that good in the Finals. The only game that he played well in was when Shaquille O’Neal chastised him for messing around in warmups not getting prepared.
Besides sliding under Klay Thompson in Game 6 when he hurt his knee, did he do anything else? No. Why do we bring that up? Well, Shaquille O’Neal had to jump on him again.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1308560354977312769
The only difference was Shaq wasn’t in the bubble. Maybe, the Lakers need to get him quarantined quickly. It didn’t help and Danny Green might give J.R. Smith a chance in the NBA Finals if he keeps this up.
4 points on 1-4 shooting. Plus the Nuggets guards not named Jamal Murray got it going. Why is he here again? 3 and D player? Give me $14,000 dollars and the Lakers can get the same results and sign a free agent next year. He’s bad folks. Just in case anyone was wondering his numbers from the earlier games, enjoy!
- Game 1: 3-10 FG
- Game 2: 4-14 FG
Dwight Howard:
Up until this game, it was believed that Dwight should start over JaVale McGee. Frank Vogel was wise not to make the switch. If he did, the refs would be calling a foul as you read this. Howard never got untracked as he got into foul trouble. Sadly two of his four fouls weren’t fouls. The referees are going to protect Jokic. Despite the foul trouble, Dwight Howard can’t play 14 minutes and get only one rebound.
Alex Caruso:
The Los Angeles Lakers have to have him on the floor because this dude wreaks havoc on opposing offenses. He was amazing with Rajon Rondo when the Lakers made their 4th quarter run. The problem is when he can’t put the ball in the basket. He only scored 2 points on 1-7 shooting. Seriously, if Caruso can get to being a BELOW average shooter, he’d be starting. When the stars aren’t playing well, the Lakers need the others to hit shots. Caruso was one of the ones who didn’t.
Markieff Morris:
Markieff Morris has hit nine of his last ten 3 point shots. Yes you read that right. There’s a comment section below if anyone has a theory of why this guy is not on the floor more.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope:
Continues to shoot well in the starting lineup. KCP scored 12 points in the game including a 5 point barrage in the 3rd quarter in the Lakers first run to cut the Nuggets lead to 5 points. Put him on the right side of the floor and let him shoot. He just can’t miss from over there!
Kyle Kuzma:
The efficient play that Kuz was playing with cutting to the basket, being active on the defensive end and rebounding is gone. Back to jacking up shots again it seems. He scored well with 11 points (4-7 shooting) but did little else. One rebound, one assist and one turnover.
Sure there will be Lakers fans that will say the team played like they knew that they’d still be up 2-1 in the series if they lost this game. Plus with the exception of the swarming, zone defense-fueled run they went on in the fourth quarter if they should be up 3-0.
Well, keep this thinking up if you like. Read on and see why Game 4 is a must-win!