SUMMARY
- Shaq questions the Lakers' lack of sustainability in holding onto a lead for Game 2 vs Nuggets.
- O'Neal points out that Anthony Davis was a no show in the 4th quarter.
Shaquille O’Neal did not hold back when discussing the Los Angeles Lakers’ most recent loss to the Denver Nuggets. With the NBA playoffs underway, the Lakers matched up against the Nuggets for the second season in a row. The Lakers entered the postseason as the 7th seed and the Nuggets finished as the 2nd seed.
Since the Nuggets swept the Lakers last year, this is a matchup that the majority of NBA fans are monitoring closely and so far it has completely gone Denver’s way. The Nuggets managed to win Game 1 against the Lakers and most recently won Game 2 as well.
Shaquille O’Neal ponders over the Los Angeles Lakers’ inability to hold onto a 20-point lead
Over the first 2 matchups of their ongoing 7 game series, the Lakers appear to be following a trend. The team does well and manages to generate a lead in the first half of the game. However, the Nuggets remain unfazed and slowly cut down the lead to end up winning.
This is exactly what happened in Game 2. The Lakers had a 19-point lead with the score being 72-53 at the 8-minute mark of the third quarter. The team should have been able to hold onto this momentum and steal Game 2 from the Nuggets. However, they were clearly unable to do so. After the game had concluded, Shaq shared his thoughts on this loss.
“Now we talked about sustainability early. The Lakers got to a 20-point lead but couldn’t sustain it…Never been a coach but I would question the Lakers’ depth. When you’re up 20 why do you double Denver when they’re not shooting well? When you double Denver a guy like Joker picks up 10 assists. He’s a great passing big man. Let the other guys beat you, Joker is going to get his numbers.”
Shaq blames Anthony Davis for the Nuggets’ comeback win
In terms of the statistics, Anthony Davis has been the best player on the Lakers’ roster so far this series. Therefore, one might assume that others on the team should be held more accountable. Although AD scored 32 points and had 11 rebounds this game, Shaquille O’Neal believes that his lack of aggressiveness in the 4th quarter cost the Lakers Game 2.
“AD took no shots in the 4th quarter. I mean one shot but no points in the 4th quarter. The things that they did to get them that lead, AD was dominating he really didn’t get into it. I question when you’re up 20 why do you double?”