The Los Angeles Lakers put up an even better fight this season against the defending champion Denver Nuggets compared to last postseason, not only in winning a game but also in terms of process and playing style. The purple and gold led for over 60% of the series and had a 20-point lead on the road in Game 2 until collapsing late.

The difference between last year’s playoff series and this one also showed some key improvement for the Lakers. One notable one was in how Austin Reaves was able to pester Jamal Murray for the majority of the series while D’Angelo Russell was able to stay on the floor, showing off defensive improvement after being unplayable last year.

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However, one major difference emerged during this series, which, in my opinion, ultimately decided the series directly and indirectly. The play of Rui Hachimura and Michael Porter Jr. for their respective sides went a long way in determining the eventual winner of the series. Whereas Rui struggled mightily throughout the five games for the Lakers, MPJ was one of Denver’s best players.

Let’s take a closer look.

The major difference between those two roles on the Lakers and the Nuggets and the domino effect it created will be a key priority for the Lakers to address this off-season. The Nuggets’ ongoing series vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves highlights that differential and importance even further.

Rob Pelinka certainly has some questions to face this summer, and this is one of the most important ones if the team wants to gain ground on the rest of the West, which looks to only be getting stronger.

Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT has a doctorate in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University, is a youth basketball coach at the U12 level and runs his own in-person and online sports medicine and performance business, 3CB Performance, in West LA and Valencia, CA in which he further combines his movement expertise and fitness training.