Quietly, the 2023-24 NBA playoffs have kicked off. In the previously concluded play-off game, the Lakers narrowly defeated the Pelicans by 4 points away and entered the playoffs as seventh in the West, and in the first round, they will face the Nuggets, who are second in the West.
I can't count how many years this is the 39-year-old James, who has led the team to the playoffs for many years in a row. On both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, he has given it his all. Although James was not very efficient offensively throughout the game, the plus/minus never lies, and he is still a key figure on the court.
It is worth mentioning that originally, the Lakers once led by nearly 20 points. But under Zion's leadership, the Pelicans did not give up. Zion hit the basket with the ball again and again to create kills, and under his leadership, the Pelicans unleashed a wave of offensive climaxes to bring the suspense back to the game.
However, at the critical moment, Zion was accidentally injured, and the Pelicans, who lacked a core, failed to block the impact of the thick eyebrows. In addition, the Lakers hit all the free throws at the decisive moment, and the Pelicans could only leave the game with hatred. I have to say, this is a game full of topics.
Surprisingly, in the most critical fourth quarter, the Pelicans actually pressed Ingram to the bench. You know, in such an important game, Ingram, as the leader of the team, was abandoned at the decisive moment, and many fans may be puzzled, what kind of medicine is the head coach selling in the gourd?
But the truth is that Ingram's performance is too bad. Hesitant on the offensive end, in this kind of game of a decisive victory, as a big man, Ingram should carry the team on his shoulders, and on the offensive end, he should be more active. It can be reflected in the game, Ingram will not take the initiative to ask for the ball on the offensive end, do not play in a misplaced position, and do not play big and small. So, at the decisive moment, the head coach simply abandoned Ingram.
No wonder the Lakers wanted to trade him in the first place, indeed, Ingram has a very good talent, indiscriminate single-handedness, coupled with an accurate mid-range shooting, even if he can't reach Durant's achievement, his ceiling is far from that.
Congratulations to the Lakers, congratulations to James. Although in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers will face the Nuggets. Although the Nuggets swept the Lakers in last year's Western Conference Finals, the Lakers are not without a fight as long as they stay healthy and have a complete roster.