In today's fast-paced NBA world, a game can be transformed into many things: a battle for honor and a battle for wallets. The most recent Lakers vs. Nuggets match was more of a drama than just an ordinary playoff game, full of strategy and money. The Lakers finally showed a different momentum in G4 and avoided the embarrassing situation of being swept by the Nuggets. But before the words fell, there was already a heated discussion on the Internet about whether the Nuggets were "releasing water", after all, who doesn't like to make an extra game at home?
In the opening game, James showed his all-out mode, changing the passivity of the first three games, and in this game he chose a decisive offensive interior strategy to help the Lakers firmly control the score from the beginning. The Nuggets seem to have a negative attitude, and the picture of training in slippers before the game has become a hot topic of discussion among fans after the game. Porter Jr. begging for sneakers in front of the camera may feel like a deliberate display or an invisibly pressuring the Lakers.
You know, returning to the G5 at Denver's home court, for the Nuggets, it's not just as simple as winning the game. Every ticket, every advertising space, and even every souvenir from the arena shop beckons to them. A simple calculation shows that the Nuggets' home stadium can accommodate 19,235 spectators, assuming a minimum ticket price of $228 and an average ticket price of $650, which can earn more than $12.5 million for tickets alone. Add in in-game advertising, halftime advertising, and other merchandise sales, and the Nuggets can earn about $16 million to $18 million for each additional home game played. This is not only a commercial victory, but also an economic feast for the team and the city.
However, this practice of "releasing water" is not without risks. If the Lakers come back in G5, the Nuggets' bet could turn into a misstep. After all, in the playoffs, the outcome of each game can change the course of an entire series. If you rest for too long, the players may lose their form, and the psychological pressure will increase with each unwon game.
In addition, it has to be mentioned that the use of this strategy has caused quite a bit of controversy among fans and the media. On the one hand, the team's tactical arrangement should be for winning the game, not for financial gain. On the other hand, if it is true that the Nuggets deliberately lost for financial gain, as it is said on the Internet, the damage to sportsmanship caused by this behavior is immeasurable.
In today's era of extremely developed social media, every action may be infinitely amplified and interpreted, and the Nuggets' pre-game training and game attitude have undoubtedly brought a lot of risks to their public image. However, it also shows us the complexity behind the sporting event, which is not only a competition between players, but also a battle of team strategy and economic calculations.
In this way, the Nuggets' gamble this time, whether it is a win or a defeat, has become an interesting story in the history of basketball. And should we, as spectators, re-examine this kind of game manipulation?