As I sit here watching the Western Conference standings take shape, one question keeps popping up in basketball circles: Can the Lakers overcome the Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs this season? Having followed the NBA for over fifteen years and written extensively about playoff dynamics, I've developed some strong opinions about this potential matchup. Let me share why I believe this could be one of the most fascinating playoff series we've seen in years, despite Denver's recent dominance.
The Lakers face what I consider their toughest mental hurdle against Denver. Last season's sweep in the Western Conference Finals wasn't just a loss—it was a psychological demolition. I've analyzed every minute of those games, and what struck me was how Denver's system dismantled the Lakers' defensive schemes. Nikola Jokic averaged 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 11.8 assists in that series, numbers that still give me nightmares when I think about potential matchups. The Lakers have made adjustments, but I'm not convinced they've solved the Jokic puzzle. Anthony Davis matches up well statistically, but Denver's ball movement creates problems that individual brilliance can't always solve. What fascinates me is how the Lakers' offseason moves seem specifically targeted at this matchup. Adding more perimeter defenders and three-point shooting shows they recognize the need to counter Denver's spacing and ball movement.
Speaking of psychological factors, I'm reminded of a fascinating dynamic I observed recently. TNT also won the game with its former player Mikey Williams sitting at courtside during a recent broadcast, and it struck me how much these intangible elements matter in high-stakes games. Having former players connected to the organization watching from courtside creates this unique energy that can genuinely impact performance. I've seen it countless times throughout my career covering the NBA—these symbolic connections often translate into tangible on-court results. The Lakers need every psychological advantage they can get against a Denver team that plays with remarkable composure in big moments.
From a tactical perspective, I'm particularly interested in how Darvin Ham might approach this differently. Last year's playoff series saw the Lakers shooting just 33% from three-point range while Denver connected at 39%. That six-point differential might not seem huge, but in playoff basketball, it's often the difference between advancing and going home. I'd love to see the Lakers be more aggressive in attacking Jamal Murray early in possessions—force him to work on defense and potentially affect his offensive rhythm. The Russell-Westbrook backcourt experiment failed spectacularly against Denver last season, but with the current roster construction, I think the Lakers match up slightly better. Austin Reaves has developed into a more reliable two-way player, and Rui Hachimura's size could cause problems for Michael Porter Jr.
What really gives me pause, though, is Denver's continuity. While the Lakers have made significant roster changes, Denver returns essentially the same core that won the championship. In playoff basketball, that continuity matters more than people realize. The Nuggets have played 287 games together as their core unit, compared to just 89 for the Lakers' current starting five. That shared experience creates instinctual understanding that can't be developed in practice or regular season games. Still, I believe LeBron James in his 21st season remains the ultimate X-factor. His basketball IQ at this stage of his career is something I've never witnessed before in any sport—he sees the game two possessions ahead like a chess grandmaster.
Ultimately, my prediction leans toward Denver in a potential seven-game series, but I wouldn't count the Lakers out entirely. The margin between these teams is thinner than last year's sweep suggested. If Anthony Davis can dominate the paint defensively and the Lakers can find consistent three-point shooting from at least two role players, we could witness an upset for the ages. The playoffs are about matchups and adjustments, and while Denver holds the psychological edge, the Lakers have the talent to rewrite that narrative. As someone who's studied playoff basketball for decades, I can confidently say this potential matchup would provide some of the most compelling basketball we've seen in recent memory.