LeBron James on being down 3-0 vs. Denver: 'You play until the wheels fall off'
James, who has a career of firsts, said the key to achieving the impossible and coming back from a 3-0 series deficit is focusing on one game at a time. “It’s one game at a time, at this point,” James said. “You lose, you go home. So we’re going come in with the mindset of, ‘Let’s get one.’ Force a Game 5 and then we go from there. So as long as you still have life, then you always have belief. I just think you play until the wheels fall off.”
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
A fascinating question has emerged from the playoffs already: If LeBron wants to win one more title, or have a true chance to win one more title, how could be possibly stay with the Lakers? pic.twitter.com/P8IBITeADj – 3:00 PM
A fascinating question has emerged from the playoffs already: If LeBron wants to win one more title, or have a true chance to win one more title, how could be possibly stay with the Lakers? pic.twitter.com/P8IBITeADj – 3:00 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Column: Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets have carved up the Lakers and split them down the belly. On the brink of elimination, LeBron James was left perplexed by his beaten and broken team @washingtonpost @PostSports washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04… – 1:19 PM
Column: Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets have carved up the Lakers and split them down the belly. On the brink of elimination, LeBron James was left perplexed by his beaten and broken team @washingtonpost @PostSports washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04… – 1:19 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Remember when the Lakers had so much to say about seeing the Nuggets again?
LeBron going at Malone on IG. AD talking at camp.
“This sh** ain’t over,” Darvin Ham had even said.
Newsflash: This sh** is over.
On Denver’s domination, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/5448803/2024/0… – 12:52 PM
Remember when the Lakers had so much to say about seeing the Nuggets again?
LeBron going at Malone on IG. AD talking at camp.
“This sh** ain’t over,” Darvin Ham had even said.
Newsflash: This sh** is over.
On Denver’s domination, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/5448803/2024/0… – 12:52 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on Lakers facing 0-3 deficit to Denver: “You just go with the mindset to go get one, force a Game 5 and then go from there. As long as you still have life, you’re always going to have belief.” My dispatch for @SportingTrib bit.ly/3UypXJz – 10:59 AM
LeBron James on Lakers facing 0-3 deficit to Denver: “You just go with the mindset to go get one, force a Game 5 and then go from there. As long as you still have life, you’re always going to have belief.” My dispatch for @SportingTrib bit.ly/3UypXJz – 10:59 AM
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
The Lakers were gifted an absolute best-case scenario regular season and playoffs from LeBron and Anthony Davis. They then made the play-in and could get swept by the same team two years in a row. Their failure is on Pelinka – 10:13 AM
The Lakers were gifted an absolute best-case scenario regular season and playoffs from LeBron and Anthony Davis. They then made the play-in and could get swept by the same team two years in a row. Their failure is on Pelinka – 10:13 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
LeBron James is just the second player in NBA history to score at least 20 points in seven straight playoff games, all losses. He tied Nikola Jokic (June 7, 2021 to April 21, 2022) for the longest such streak in NBA history.
Read, share, & subscribe: statitudes.com/p/nba-game-not… pic.twitter.com/DAh3JFjW1s – 9:45 AM
LeBron James is just the second player in NBA history to score at least 20 points in seven straight playoff games, all losses. He tied Nikola Jokic (June 7, 2021 to April 21, 2022) for the longest such streak in NBA history.
Read, share, & subscribe: statitudes.com/p/nba-game-not… pic.twitter.com/DAh3JFjW1s – 9:45 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: The Lakers are on the brink of a sweep for the second straight year at the hands of the Nuggets. LeBron James says him and AD have what it takes to get it done in the playoffs, but what about the rest of the team? es.pn/4b9V0AJ – 4:02 AM
New story: The Lakers are on the brink of a sweep for the second straight year at the hands of the Nuggets. LeBron James says him and AD have what it takes to get it done in the playoffs, but what about the rest of the team? es.pn/4b9V0AJ – 4:02 AM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New Mismatch just dropped getting into everything that happened on Thursday plus every other series @ChrisVernonShow
-Is this it for LeBron?
-Nuggets beauty
-BANCHERO!!
-Embiid’s 50 bomb
-midrange Halliburton?
-Mavs D
-Gobert!
-Thunder upside
-Heat odds open.spotify.com/episode/7Do1Xj… – 3:05 AM
New Mismatch just dropped getting into everything that happened on Thursday plus every other series @ChrisVernonShow
-Is this it for LeBron?
-Nuggets beauty
-BANCHERO!!
-Embiid’s 50 bomb
-midrange Halliburton?
-Mavs D
-Gobert!
-Thunder upside
-Heat odds open.spotify.com/episode/7Do1Xj… – 3:05 AM
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
New BS Pod w/ @jkylemann @VanLathan
—Did Denver kill the LeBron era in LA?
—Embiid’s Revenge
—Celts Therapy Session
—Chet or Paolo?
—The Pats got Maye! Yeah!
—Atlanta’s Penix Stunner
—Bo Nix… 12? Huh?
—Fav NFL Draft Picks
—Van’s draft family analysis
open.spotify.com/episode/0agV4I… – 2:36 AM
New BS Pod w/ @jkylemann @VanLathan
—Did Denver kill the LeBron era in LA?
—Embiid’s Revenge
—Celts Therapy Session
—Chet or Paolo?
—The Pats got Maye! Yeah!
—Atlanta’s Penix Stunner
—Bo Nix… 12? Huh?
—Fav NFL Draft Picks
—Van’s draft family analysis
open.spotify.com/episode/0agV4I… – 2:36 AM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Will Nikola Jokic retire LeBron James? 🙈 pic.twitter.com/bccvqofkAF – 1:34 AM
Will Nikola Jokic retire LeBron James? 🙈 pic.twitter.com/bccvqofkAF – 1:34 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on the optimism he still has despite facing a 0-3 series deficit pic.twitter.com/DbfB4NctHK – 1:34 AM
LeBron James on the optimism he still has despite facing a 0-3 series deficit pic.twitter.com/DbfB4NctHK – 1:34 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
“They do not have a weakness offensively.” – LeBron, praising the Nuggets’ starting five. AK – 1:30 AM
“They do not have a weakness offensively.” – LeBron, praising the Nuggets’ starting five. AK – 1:30 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on the Lakers’ squandering leads in the third quarter in this series vs the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/jVk1zimLj6 – 1:25 AM
LeBron James on the Lakers’ squandering leads in the third quarter in this series vs the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/jVk1zimLj6 – 1:25 AM
The Ringer @ringernba
LeBron James and Anthony Davis vs the Denver Nuggets pic.twitter.com/f6bZWcrG4j – 1:15 AM
LeBron James and Anthony Davis vs the Denver Nuggets pic.twitter.com/f6bZWcrG4j – 1:15 AM
Austin Burton @AmaarBurton
After Game 2: “LeBron should’ve kept running the offense through AD and let D’Lo cook instead of taking over in the 4th quarter.”
Game 3: (Runs the offense through AD and lets D’Lo cook) pic.twitter.com/LAExepvB5F – 12:45 AM
After Game 2: “LeBron should’ve kept running the offense through AD and let D’Lo cook instead of taking over in the 4th quarter.”
Game 3: (Runs the offense through AD and lets D’Lo cook) pic.twitter.com/LAExepvB5F – 12:45 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Points this playoffs:
176 — LeBron and AD
131 — Rest of the Lakers combined pic.twitter.com/ddGWu4x3Ut – 12:41 AM
Points this playoffs:
176 — LeBron and AD
131 — Rest of the Lakers combined pic.twitter.com/ddGWu4x3Ut – 12:41 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
The Lakers’ season is effectively over. Denver has taken a commanding 3-0 lead and won 11 straight. AD had 33 points and 15 rebounds. LeBron had 26/6/9. AR had 22. DLo went 0-7 and was benched down the stretch.
Up next: Game 4 on Saturday. – 12:39 AM
Final: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
The Lakers’ season is effectively over. Denver has taken a commanding 3-0 lead and won 11 straight. AD had 33 points and 15 rebounds. LeBron had 26/6/9. AR had 22. DLo went 0-7 and was benched down the stretch.
Up next: Game 4 on Saturday. – 12:39 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
The Nuggets are the first team to beat LeBron 10 straight times. pic.twitter.com/jEgSHEvJhc – 12:30 AM
The Nuggets are the first team to beat LeBron 10 straight times. pic.twitter.com/jEgSHEvJhc – 12:30 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
LeBron & AD = 53 points
Jokic & Murray = 40 points
Rest of Lakers starters = 17 points
Rest of Nuggets starters = 49 points – 12:22 AM
LeBron & AD = 53 points
Jokic & Murray = 40 points
Rest of Lakers starters = 17 points
Rest of Nuggets starters = 49 points – 12:22 AM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Unless Jokic has an early retirement… Lebron will never win another title – 12:12 AM
Unless Jokic has an early retirement… Lebron will never win another title – 12:12 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Anthony Davis is subbing out with 7:32 left in the fourth quarter. Lakers going small with Rui Hachimura and LeBron James at the 4/5. – 12:11 AM
Anthony Davis is subbing out with 7:32 left in the fourth quarter. Lakers going small with Rui Hachimura and LeBron James at the 4/5. – 12:11 AM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Jokic on bench, LeBron AND Anthony Davis on the floor for the Lakers for the first 3 minutes and 16 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Nuggets win the minutes by 3. – 12:11 AM
Jokic on bench, LeBron AND Anthony Davis on the floor for the Lakers for the first 3 minutes and 16 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Nuggets win the minutes by 3. – 12:11 AM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
After 33 minutes, LeBron James goes to the foul line for the first time tonight. Might be some kind of record – 12:09 AM
After 33 minutes, LeBron James goes to the foul line for the first time tonight. Might be some kind of record – 12:09 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
After that last drive, LeBron got angry with the official after arguing Michael Porter Jr got away with elbowing him in the throat. – 12:07 AM
After that last drive, LeBron got angry with the official after arguing Michael Porter Jr got away with elbowing him in the throat. – 12:07 AM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
LeBron and AD both out there with Jokic out, Lakers must make a push here. – 12:05 AM
LeBron and AD both out there with Jokic out, Lakers must make a push here. – 12:05 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Aaron Gordon is a serious problem cover for the Lakers. Rui isn’t always attentive enough and he’s very tough for LeBron to match from an energy/activity perspective. AK – 11:59 PM
Aaron Gordon is a serious problem cover for the Lakers. Rui isn’t always attentive enough and he’s very tough for LeBron to match from an energy/activity perspective. AK – 11:59 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Lakers go into halftime up 53-49. LAL led by as many as 12 but the Nuggets, as they do, cut into it. AD 16p 7r 3a; LeBron 14p on 7-of-9 3r 4a; Reaves 10p. LAL shot 1-for-11 from 3. – 11:20 PM
The Lakers go into halftime up 53-49. LAL led by as many as 12 but the Nuggets, as they do, cut into it. AD 16p 7r 3a; LeBron 14p on 7-of-9 3r 4a; Reaves 10p. LAL shot 1-for-11 from 3. – 11:20 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Halftime: Lakers 53, Nuggets 49
It feels like LA should be up by more with how Denver is shooting and turning the ball over. DEN’s offensive rebounds (9) and second-chance points (12) have kept them in this. AD has 16 pts and 7 rebs. LeBron has 13/3/4. AR has 10 pts. – 11:20 PM
Halftime: Lakers 53, Nuggets 49
It feels like LA should be up by more with how Denver is shooting and turning the ball over. DEN’s offensive rebounds (9) and second-chance points (12) have kept them in this. AD has 16 pts and 7 rebs. LeBron has 13/3/4. AR has 10 pts. – 11:20 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Lakers lead at halftime again. 47-43. AD with 16, LeBron 14-4-3. Gordon with 14-9, Jokic with 11-6-3…. Neither team can shoot from 3, Nuggets 13 percent, Lakers 9 percent – 11:19 PM
Lakers lead at halftime again. 47-43. AD with 16, LeBron 14-4-3. Gordon with 14-9, Jokic with 11-6-3…. Neither team can shoot from 3, Nuggets 13 percent, Lakers 9 percent – 11:19 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Denver is as close as they’ve been since the opening minutes, with a 6-0 run boosted by 2 Lakers turnovers (LeBron, Russell), and a rushed 3 that missed (Russell), as LAL’s lead is 47-43 with 2:43 left in the 1st half.
LAL are 1 for 9 from 3, and DEN 2 for 14. – 11:10 PM
Denver is as close as they’ve been since the opening minutes, with a 6-0 run boosted by 2 Lakers turnovers (LeBron, Russell), and a rushed 3 that missed (Russell), as LAL’s lead is 47-43 with 2:43 left in the 1st half.
LAL are 1 for 9 from 3, and DEN 2 for 14. – 11:10 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James bullied his way toward the basket. Aaron Gordon motioned a traveling call, but the officials disagreed. – 10:57 PM
LeBron James bullied his way toward the basket. Aaron Gordon motioned a traveling call, but the officials disagreed. – 10:57 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
LeBron James is in the “Prime Year” hybrid LeBron 21s tonight — a tribute to his 21st season and Deion Sanders’ classic Nike DT Max 96 signature shoe. pic.twitter.com/d5cg4EbcdF – 10:50 PM
LeBron James is in the “Prime Year” hybrid LeBron 21s tonight — a tribute to his 21st season and Deion Sanders’ classic Nike DT Max 96 signature shoe. pic.twitter.com/d5cg4EbcdF – 10:50 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Lakers lead 33-23 after 1Q. AD 12p 5r; LeBron 8p on 4-of-4 5r; Reaves 6p; Rui 5p. Jokic was great for DEN, as always, w/ 9p 4r 2a but he did pick up 2 fouls. – 10:50 PM
The Lakers lead 33-23 after 1Q. AD 12p 5r; LeBron 8p on 4-of-4 5r; Reaves 6p; Rui 5p. Jokic was great for DEN, as always, w/ 9p 4r 2a but he did pick up 2 fouls. – 10:50 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
Lakers open Game 3 by scoring eight unanswered points. Michael Malone calls timeout one minute and 50 seconds into the game after LeBron James’ dunk in transition. – 10:23 PM
Lakers open Game 3 by scoring eight unanswered points. Michael Malone calls timeout one minute and 50 seconds into the game after LeBron James’ dunk in transition. – 10:23 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Pregame, Michael Malone talked about how important it was on the road for his Nuggets to get off to a better start, not get down by 12 or 20 when the Lakers are pumped up by their home crowd.
LeBron breakaway dunk makes it 8-0 Lakers to start Game 3 – 10:23 PM
Pregame, Michael Malone talked about how important it was on the road for his Nuggets to get off to a better start, not get down by 12 or 20 when the Lakers are pumped up by their home crowd.
LeBron breakaway dunk makes it 8-0 Lakers to start Game 3 – 10:23 PM
Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
A couple of Denver turnovers and a LeBron James block have the Lakers out to an 8-0 start in the first two minutes. Early timeout for the Nuggets. – 10:22 PM
A couple of Denver turnovers and a LeBron James block have the Lakers out to an 8-0 start in the first two minutes. Early timeout for the Nuggets. – 10:22 PM
NBA Kicks @NBAKicks
New Diamond Turf LeBron 21s for @KingJames at home! #NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/Jq44zoxUtu – 10:13 PM
New Diamond Turf LeBron 21s for @KingJames at home! #NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/Jq44zoxUtu – 10:13 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Florida has won four straight in Tampa.
The last time that happened, Bill Clinton was President, LeBron James had not won his first state championship, the Canes had four national titles and when that streak started the Dolphins had a starting quarterback named Dan Marino. – 9:53 PM
Florida has won four straight in Tampa.
The last time that happened, Bill Clinton was President, LeBron James had not won his first state championship, the Canes had four national titles and when that streak started the Dolphins had a starting quarterback named Dan Marino. – 9:53 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Anthony Davis (low back soreness) and LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. Denver. – 9:29 PM
Anthony Davis (low back soreness) and LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. Denver. – 9:29 PM
Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews
Banchero up to 31 points and 14 rebounds heading into the fourth. Per @StatsWilliams, he’s the youngest player with 30 pts. and 10 rebs. in a playoff game since LeBron James in 2006. – 8:49 PM
Banchero up to 31 points and 14 rebounds heading into the fourth. Per @StatsWilliams, he’s the youngest player with 30 pts. and 10 rebs. in a playoff game since LeBron James in 2006. – 8:49 PM
Nick Wright @getnickwright
Y’all can dislike that he said it (or who said it), but LeBron was right: The replay center needs to either be eliminated or totally readdressed this off-season.
That turning into an offensive foul on Embiid is WILD. – 8:01 PM
Y’all can dislike that he said it (or who said it), but LeBron was right: The replay center needs to either be eliminated or totally readdressed this off-season.
That turning into an offensive foul on Embiid is WILD. – 8:01 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Bron out two and a half hours early 👀
Do the Lakers get one at home tonight?
(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/9edPBnsy7R – 7:36 PM
Bron out two and a half hours early 👀
Do the Lakers get one at home tonight?
(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/9edPBnsy7R – 7:36 PM
Nick Wright @getnickwright
LeBron can’t be 2nd Team All NBA because his team is the 7 seed, but the Clutch Player of the Year can…
Ahhh nevermind. – 7:07 PM
LeBron can’t be 2nd Team All NBA because his team is the 7 seed, but the Clutch Player of the Year can…
Ahhh nevermind. – 7:07 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Can Lebron and AD find a way to win Game 3 vs. the Nuggets? 🤔
@ZachLowe_NBA has doubts about the Lakers 😬 pic.twitter.com/JQHaPV3Mlc – 5:49 PM
Can Lebron and AD find a way to win Game 3 vs. the Nuggets? 🤔
@ZachLowe_NBA has doubts about the Lakers 😬 pic.twitter.com/JQHaPV3Mlc – 5:49 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
LeBron James’ return to Olympic team sparked by chat after NBA points record
nbcsports.com/olympics/news/… – 4:09 PM
LeBron James’ return to Olympic team sparked by chat after NBA points record
nbcsports.com/olympics/news/… – 4:09 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
LeBron at home in the playoffs:
28.4 PPG
8.9 RPG
7.2 APG
1.8 SPG
50.7 FG%
Back in LA tonight. statmuse.com/nba/player/leb… – 4:02 PM
LeBron at home in the playoffs:
28.4 PPG
8.9 RPG
7.2 APG
1.8 SPG
50.7 FG%
Back in LA tonight. statmuse.com/nba/player/leb… – 4:02 PM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope denies LeBron the ball. pic.twitter.com/BbJl00IYnJ – 1:46 PM
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope denies LeBron the ball. pic.twitter.com/BbJl00IYnJ – 1:46 PM
Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
You heard LeBron rant about it after Game 2. What IS “marginal” contact? It doesn’t show up in the NBA rulebook so I went looking for a definition. Here’s what I found and what it means for the playoffs: tomthefinder.com/p/it-might-be-… – 12:06 PM
You heard LeBron rant about it after Game 2. What IS “marginal” contact? It doesn’t show up in the NBA rulebook so I went looking for a definition. Here’s what I found and what it means for the playoffs: tomthefinder.com/p/it-might-be-… – 12:06 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Highest 3P% this playoffs (minimum 10 attempts):
63.6 — Brook Lopez
60.0 — Lu Dort
60.0 — Sam Hauser
54.5 — LeBron James
53.3 — Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/2lWlLQuOgM – 10:43 AM
Highest 3P% this playoffs (minimum 10 attempts):
63.6 — Brook Lopez
60.0 — Lu Dort
60.0 — Sam Hauser
54.5 — LeBron James
53.3 — Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/2lWlLQuOgM – 10:43 AM
More on this storyline
As much as Ham is liked personally by the organization — and this columnist — the truth is that the Lakers have not only been outplayed by the Nuggets, but Ham has been outcoached by Malone. “We’ve got to come with competitive pride … that’s all we should be concerned with, coming in here Saturday, having competitive pride,” Ham said Thursday. That competitive pride in Game 4 will be challenged by competitive chaos. If they get swept, it could be Ham’s last stand, and the players surely know it, because all signs have been pointing to it. Ham will be cited as the reason for this quote by LeBron James, who finished Thursday’s game with three turnovers and several other miscues while appearing weary in several long stretches. “We come out in the third quarter with not much energy or we can kind of lose track of rotations and detail that we had in the first half,” James said. “I think a lot of that played into it.” -via Los Angeles Times / April 26, 2024
Asked if the Lakers were overwhelmed by the Nuggets’ level of execution, James said, “You’d have to ask the individuals that question and see how they feel. It’s hard for me just to be like, ‘This is what I think that guy feels.’ … I can’t do that. I’m not a mind reader. I don’t know.” No one was able to ask Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell that question. After going scoreless in Game 3 on 0-for-7 shooting (0-for-6 from 3), he declined to speak to reporters after the game, according to a team spokesperson. “We’ve been — me and this guy [Davis] have been playing together for six years,” James continued. “We’ve been to the mountaintop. We’ve been close to the mountaintop. We’ve played a lot of games. We know what it takes to win. We know what it takes to win a championship and how damn near perfect you got to be. That’s not like something that’s so crazy to obtain.” -via ESPN / April 26, 2024
ClutchPoints: “We know what it takes to win a championship and how damn near perfect you gotta be.” LeBron James when asked what it takes to win in the Playoffs 🗣 (via @michaelcorvo_) pic.twitter.com/uBoVWfF0hS -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / April 26, 2024