3 teams that should worry now that Andre Drummond is on the Lakers

Feb 8, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond (3) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond (3) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Denver Nuggets

This is the most relevant team that we should be talking about. Prior to the Drummond signing, the Los Angeles Lakers matched up terribly against the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is playing at an MVP-level and there is nothing the Lakers had to slow him down.

Gasol, again, is a step slow and is only playing 20 minutes per game and we have already seen Montrezl Harrell get torched by Jokic in a playoff series. The Nuggets even added JaVale McGee for more frontcourt depth to take some of the defensive burden off of Jokic, furthering the mismatch in factor of the Nuggets.

This helps. The Lakers have someone who can now rebound the basketball at a much higher rate and defend the rim from Jokic and co. They have more bodies that they can now throw at Jokic to fluster the big man and keep him at bay.

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Dwight Howard was extremely important for the Lakers in the series against the Denver Nuggets. He was able to get Jokic in early foul trouble and fluster the big man, keeping his production relatively low in that series despite being exceptional in the playoff rounds before.

With the addition of Aaron Gordon, who is a bit overrated but is really good if he is your fourth or fifth scoring option, the Denver Nuggets are the team to worry the most about in the Western Conference.