In this next series between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers, all eyes will be on the superstar duel between LeBron James and Nikola Jokic, but the supporting casts on both teams will be just as crucial in deciding the series’ destiny. 

Gilbert Arenas, a former guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, believes that D’Angelo Russell is essential.

“If [D’Angelo Russell] plays the way he’s been playing this season, we’re winning the series,” Arenas stated. “With [Russell] scoring three points a night, we lost by one, two, or three points last year. Thus, it’s a whole different series if [Russell] is averaging the 15-20 he’s been averaging. Last year, he had to be benched.”

With a mere 32.3% shooting percentage from the field, Russell averaged 6.3 points per game against the Lakers in the previous year’s Western Conference Finals. 

The Lakers will need a better Russell in this rematch, even though it’s difficult to conclude that his improved play was the difference between the Lakers winning that series and being swept, as Arenas seems to be implying.

Even though the Nuggets defeated the Lakers last year, Nikola Jokic and his colleagues consistently minimize the series’ outcome in light of the rematch this year.

 Denver is aware that they will need to perform well since the Lakers are a highly motivated team in addition to being skilled.