[jwplayer zlzXpc4k]
How much of an impact it is having is probably minimal, but the heckling of Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets from the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the series adds an entertaining aspect to the Western Conference Finals, currently led 2-0 by the Lakers.
According to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes, Lakers big men JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard have been talking trash when their teammates are guarded by Nikola Jokic or Michael Porter Jr.
Once the Lakers’ bench saw it was Jokic tasked with guarding Davis, it brought the noise with JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard screaming, “Thanksgiving, steak dinner, appetizers, filet mignon and potatoes, a glass of champagne!”
Porter Jr. missed his second free throw, and Rajon Rondo threw the ball ahead to Davis, who faced up Jokic and maneuvered his way around the big man for a bucket in the paint. McGee shouted, “Told you it was a feast out there!”
Jokic was excellent in Game 2 and he’s generally unflappable, so the trash talking probably hasn’t had a great effect. But obviously the Lakers are hoping it can have some kind of cumulative affect on the Nuggets, even though Denver has had an unpredecented run through the postseason, where they seem impervious to long odds and big deficits. While McGee and Howard are entertaining, the Lakers need their strong play to continue if they are up 2-0.
[lawrence-related id=34567,34562]