NBA legend Magic Johnson reveals the most important variables for the Lakers ahead of the Nuggets matchup
Magic Johnson recently weighed in on the upcoming series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. For fans who may not be aware, Magic is a former NBA star and considered by many to be one of the greatest franchise players in Lakers history. He won 5 NBA championships in the 1980s and was a*sociated with the Lakers organization for several years after his retirement.
Although Magic does not currently hold an official position in the Lakers organization, he does discuss team and league related matters. As the Lakers begin their 7 game first round series against the Denver Nuggets, Johnson shared his thoughts on this upcoming matchup.
Magic Johnson thinks the Nuggets’ success over the Lakers was due to their perimeter guards
Both the media and fans tend to place the blame on the achievement. The reasons why a team lost are always highlighted more than why their opponent won. Since the Los Angeles Lakers are considered a basketball dynasty, more attention has been focused on their flaws as opposed to the Nuggets’ strengths.
Magic Johnson probably observed this phenomenon. He sent out a tweet explaining how the Nuggets were able to sweep the Lakers last year and what Los Angeles should do to prevent that from happening again.
For the Lakers to have any chance of beating the Nuggets this time around, the guards will need to bring their A-game. Last year the Nuggets guard trio of Bruce Brown, KCP and Jamaal Murray dominated! The key to the Lakers winning will be DLO, Reaves, Vincent, and Dinwiddie outperforming…
— Irvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 19, 2024
“For the Lakers to have any chance of beating the Nuggets this time around, the guards will have to bring their A-game. Last year the Nuggets guard trio of Bruce Brown, KCP and Jamaal Murray dominated! The key to the Lakers’ victory will be D’Lo, Reaves, Vincent and Dinwiddie outplaying Murray, KCP and Brown.”
Johnson certainly makes a good point. LeBron and Jokic can be the faces and leaders of their team. But the success of the respective guards will undoubtedly play a big role in deciding the winner of this series.
Jamal Murray is the best guard in this series?
Magic credits Murray, KCP and Brown for the Nuggets’ championship run and victory over the Lakers last season. After hearing that D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and the rest of the Lakers’ guards have to go toe-to-toe with the Nuggets’ guards, some fans feel that Jamal Murray is arguably still the best guard on either side.
Murray himself may surpa*s them.
— brucegelin (@brucegelin) April 19, 2024
The statistics also indicated that Murray took his game to another level next season. The two-man play of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic played a key role in the Nuggets’ victory last season.
While the Lakers guards are able to keep up with KCP and the rest of the Nuggets guards, fans believe Murray is still a significantly better player.