Following the Denver Nuggets’ remarkable Western Conference finals sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, former NBA champion turned ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins questioned the physical conditioning of Lakers star Anthony Davis in comparison to the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic.
Perkins claims that Jokic outperformed Davis on both ends of the court throughout the series, despite past complaints of his physique. This article dives into Perkins’ comments, investigating the ramifications of Davis’ conditioning and the impact it may have had on the Lakers’ playoff exit, while emphasising Jokic’s overwhelming presence in the series.
The last thing I have to say about the Lakers!!! It’s time for AD to stop having these lazy ass off seasons and actually put that WORK in this Summer! Carry the hell on… pic.twitter.com/KYArn0di2x
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 23, 2023
Denver Nuggets Sweep Los Angeles Lakers, Advance to NBA Finals
The Denver Nuggets completed a historic sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers to earn their first-ever NBA Finals appearance. The Nuggets won Game 4 of the Western Conference playoffs 113-111, thanks to a spectacular performance by Nikola Jokic.
Despite LeBron James’ 40-point first-half performance, the Lakers were unable to overcome the Nuggets’ tenacious finish. Jokic eclipsed Wilt Chamberlain’s 1967 NBA record for triple-doubles in a single postseason with his eighth triple-double of the playoffs. He was effective on both sides of the court and made clutch plays when the Nuggets needed them most.
With five minutes remaining, the Lakers tried a late comeback, erasing a seven-point lead and tied the game. Jokic, on the other hand, replied with a clutch 25-foot fallaway 3-pointer to reclaim the lead. The Lakers were tied after Anthony Davis’ free throws, but Jokic’s strength and resolve allowed him to secure the tiebreaking layup over Davis.
James missed two important shots in the dying seconds, including a fallaway jumper, and the Nuggets’ defence, led by Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, stopped his last-ditch attempt at the buzzer. The Lakers were swept in a postseason series for the 11th time in franchise history.
With this monumental sweep, the Nuggets not only eliminated the Lakers for the first time in their playoff meetings but also achieved their first-ever playoff series sweep. They now look ahead to the NBA Finals, where they will face the Miami Heat, pending a historic comeback by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.
Kendrick Perkins comment on Anthony Davis
The Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets featured a showdown between two iconic big men. While there were signs of the epic duel, Nikola Jokic clearly overpowered Anthony Davis throughout the series, contributing to the Lakers’ humbling sweep.
Kendrick Perkins was disappointed with Davis’ performance in the series. Perkins believes Jokic’s physical conditioning is superior to that of the Lakers’ star. He pushed Davis to consider his goals and the type of player he wants to be, implying that Davis may need to accept his current level of play. Perkins praised Jokic’s performance and emphasised that, despite his physical flaws, he is a great player and Nuggets star outperformed Davis on both ends of the court.
Perkins’ comments highlight the daunting issue Davis will have in the upcoming offseason. Perkins is adamant that the upcoming season will be Davis’ final chance to prove to the Lakers that he is worthy of leading the team. He questioned Davis’ focus and growth during the offseason, emphasising the importance of next season in determining Davis’ future with the Lakers.
According to Perkins, Jokic’s superior physical conditioning had a big factor in his dominance over Davis, resulting to the Lakers’ dismal loss from the playoffs. The comments highlight the necessity for Davis to rethink his approach to fitness and upgrade his game to meet the demands placed on him.
What do you think about Kendrick Perkins’ comments on Anthony Davis’ physical conditioning and its impact on the Lakers’ playoff exit, as well as Nikola Jokic’s exceptional performance throughout the series? Let us know in the comments section.
