“Steep recline” – Anthony Davis strikes positive note as the LA Lakers go down 3-0
Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers are about to face elimination on Monday after going down 3-0 following their 119-108 loss in Game 3.
The Denver Nuggets now have the opportunity to make their first-ever NBA Finals appearance and potentially win their first championship too. However, the Lakers haven't raised the white flag yet.
LeBron James recently stated that his goal is to beat the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals despite the deficit. Anthony Davis matched James' optimism and is also aiming for a 3-0 comeback. If they manage to do so, the Lakers will become the first team in NBA history to achieve such a feat.
AD is aware of the giant obstacle they have to overcome and is taking the situation with complete composure. He said that they just need to take it one step at a time and try to secure a win on Monday.
"Obviously this is a steep recline," Davis said. "But we're gonna keep taking it one game at a time, try to get better and come out with a win on Monday."
Can the LA Lakers achieve the impossible?
The Denver Nuggets currently hold a 3-0 lead against the LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
However, it's important to acknowledge that LA's path to the playoffs seemed unlikely based on their regular season performance. Preseason statistics indicated that the Lakers had only a 0.3% chance of making it to the playoffs.
Now, the Purple and Gold find themselves in a challenging situation, facing potential elimination after their 119-108 loss to the Nuggets on Saturday. Despite the hopes for a comeback, the odds are stacked against them, as no NBA team has ever successfully overcome a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs. At this rate, the Lakers must develop a strategy to contain both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Additionally, LeBron James should prioritize attacking the paint instead of relying heavily on three-point shooting, potentially drawing fouls and placing Jokic in foul trouble. Anthony Davis must maintain his aggressive and efficient presence in the paint. The rest of the Lakers' bench players will also need to elevate their performance to match the firepower of the Denver Nuggets' bench.