Today, although the Lakers lost to the Nuggets by 2 points, the team still has something to offer, after all, it once led by 20 points, at least proving that the Lakers have the strength to win the Nuggets.
The Lakers' ability to gain such a big advantage in the first three quarters depends on Russell's recovery.
In this game, Russell played 39 minutes, shooting 8-of-16 (7-of-11 three-pointers) and getting 23 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists.
In G1, Russell was 1-of-9 from three-point range and scored just 13 points.
Let's take a look at the performance of the Lakers' wonder boy Reaves, who has scored 13 and 9 points in the two playoff games so far, which is not at all like the crazy appearance of last year's playoffs.
Remember that before the trade deadline, Russell was deeply involved in trade rumors, and Reaves became a non-sale for the Lakers.
In the second half of the season, Russell averaged 20.9 points and 6.6 assists per game, with a three-point shooting rate of over 40%!
His performance this season replicates his 2018-19 All-Star Game with the Nets, when he averaged 21.7 points and 6.6 assists per game while shooting just 36 percent from three-point range.
Therefore, Russell's status in the Lakers gradually surpassed Reaves, and James and Davis emphasized more than once that Russell is the most important part of the team.
If Russell's projection ability continues the performance of the regular season in the second half of the season, averaging 20 points and 6 assists per game, and the three-point shooting rate is close to 4 percent, even if the Lakers are swept, his big contract this summer is still stable!
Last year, he signed a two-year, $37 million contract extension with the Lakers, with a player option next season.
The 28-year-old Russell, with his counterattack performance this season, will definitely choose to jump out of the contract, and the Lakers will definitely choose to keep Russell with a high salary because they have no capital to trade reinforcements.
His contract, presumably referring to the renewal amount of Eagle Dejounte Murray, 4 years and 120 million!
And Reaves may be used as a bargaining chip in exchange for a role player who is more suitable for the Lakers to win the championship, after all, Reaves played 2 years with the Lakers and was swept 2 times by the Nuggets.
The Lakers have to change their lineup, otherwise they can't get over the Nuggets, how can they win the championship?