Draymond Green, Casualty Of LeBron James’ Greatest Comeback, Gives Lakers A Chance Against The Inevitable: “If Anybody Can Do It..”

The Los Angeles Lakers lived to enter a Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets. A leap from their previous playoff sweep and an end to Denver’s 11-game dominance over them. While they still face a 3-1 deficit, many are arguing whether LeBron James can spark a comeback and create history once again. The notions stem from James’ 2016 Finals against the Warriors, becoming the first squad to come from a 3-1 deficit. Interestingly, Draymond Green thinks the same.

“Do they have a chance to comeback? Yes, they have a chance to comeback and I’ll tell you why,” Draymond Green said on his podcast. With that, he urges D’Angelo Russell to “take that [matchup] up on the chin and go play well,” due to the Lakers’ high winning percentage whenever does. Moreover, he questions Denver’s bench, citing that LA can take advantage. With that, even though he thinks it is not “likely” for purple and gold to make a comeback, Green claims, “if anybody could do it, take it from me, Bron can pull it off.”

Draymond Green was part of the 2016 Golden State Warriors crew that gave up a 3-1 lead to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. It remains the greatest Finals comeback in NBA history, with James and Kyrie Irving going ballistic during the latter 3-game stretch.

However, LeBron is 8 years older now. Playing heavy minutes, with all defending eyes on him, that too against the team that currently holds a title takes a humungous toll on his body. He has clearly lost a step and cannot completely take over the game on a nightly basis. Nevertheless, always bearing heightened expectations of the fans, a 39-year-old James would be expected to repeat the same feat tonight when the LA team steps into Ball Arena.

LeBron James might miss his superstar teammate for Game 5

As LA faces another elimination game, there might be more concerns on the line for them than one anticipated. LeBron James’ superstar teammate Anthony Davis might sit out the Game 5. Davis was questionable before the Game 4. However, he saw a green light and came up with 25 points and 23 rebounds (65% shooting). Now, before Game 5, the Lakers face a potential void as AD sees another status change, from questionable to probable due to a wrist sprain. With that, he will be a game-time decision.

Moreover, Jarred Vanderbilt, the Lakers’ prime defensive option has been upgraded to questionable. However, that does not necessarily mean that he will see court time, just like Christian Wood in Game 4.

On the other hand, Denver saw Jamal Murray, Vlatko Cancar, and Reggie Jackson on its injury report. However, Murray’s calf problems and Jackson’s ankle sprain have seen relief since then while Cancar remains out due to undergoing a knee procedure.