Lake Show Life
Fansided

1 player the Lakers can expose on each West contender in playoffs

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a play during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a play during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr.

The Denver Nuggets are the team that I personally worry the most about in the NBA Playoffs. Andre Drummond certainly helps the Lakers but Nikola Jokic is still a tough matchup for the Lakers to get past and Aaron Gordon has suddenly realized his potential in Denver.

The most important part of Gordon, at least when the Nuggets play the Los Angeles Lakers, is not his ability to be a slasher and the fourth scoring option. It is his defense. Gordon is not an elite defender, but he certainly is above average and can hold his own against just about anyone.

So he is going to be the one that the Nuggets task with guarding LeBron James. That is a big deal, as it keeps Michael Porter Jr. off of LeBron as much as possible.

The Lakers should be seeking that mismatch. Using off-ball screens and switches, Vogel should do everything in power to get Porter on LeBron as much as possible and maximize those chances.

Porter has gotten better at defense this season but he is still a below-average defensive player. He is also young, and when the bright lights are shining and the Staples Center (hopefully) has fans, the chances of him legitimately slowing LeBron down are slim to none.

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