In the aftermath of the Los Angeles Lakers’ heartbreaking 101-99 defeat to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their Western Conference playoff series, one of the most debated topics has been LeBron James’ late-game decision-making. Surprisingly, ESPN First Take co-host Shannon Sharpe has joined the chorus of critics questioning the four-time NBA MVP’s choices.
With the game tied at 99-all and just 29.4 seconds remaining on the clock, LeBron James had the ball in his hands. Utilizing an Anthony Davis screen, the 20-time NBA All-Star found himself with an open shot opportunity after defender Kentavious Caldwell-Pope fell to the ground at the 18.3-second mark. However, James’ shot missed its mark, setting the stage for a dramatic Denver comeback.
On the ensuing possession, Jamal Murray took control for the Nuggets, taking his time to read the defence before making his move against Anthony Davis. With just 3.2 seconds left on the clock, Murray drove right and launched a fadeaway shot that found the bottom of the net as the buzzer sounded, giving the Nuggets a commanding 2-0 series lead.
In the aftermath of the Lakers’ loss, Shannon Sharpe expressed his discontent with LeBron James’ decision to take the shot with 13 seconds left on the game clock and a six-second differential between the shot and game clocks.
“I don’t understand. There is a six-second differential between the shot clock and the game clock. Why would LeBron take a shot with 13 seconds left on the clock?” questioned Sharpe during his podcast Nightcap. “You still have seven seconds to play. You want to give them as little time on the clock as you possibly can, why would you shoot that shot?” [1:10 onwards]
Adding to the post-game drama, LeBron James aimed at the game’s officiating, expressing his frustration with the missed calls that he believes contributed to the Lakers’ collapse.
“I don’t understand what’s going on in the replay centre, to be honest. What f— do we have a replay centre for?” questioned James. “It makes no sense to me… What are we doing?”
With the series shifting to Los Angeles for Game 3, the Lakers find themselves in a must-win situation as they look to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole against the Nuggets. The critical matchup is set to take place at the Crypto.com Arena on April 25, with both teams eager to gain the upper hand in what has become a heated playoff battle.
The Lakers’ Game 2 loss has opened the door for intense scrutiny and debate, with LeBron James’ shot selection and the game’s officiating becoming focal points of discussion. While Sharpe’s critique adds another layer to the ongoing narrative, it’s clear that Game 3 will be pivotal for both teams as they seek to gain momentum in what promises to be a thrilling playoff series.
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