George Karl and Kobe Bryant speak about Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers – NBA Update
When the Los Angeles Lakers were leading their Western Conference first round series 3-1 against the Denver Nuggets, many would have expected them to wrap things up pretty easily. However in the past 4 days with two back to back wins, Nuggets have come back
to tie the series at 3-3 and turned the tide in their favour.
Much to the delight of head coach George Karl, who was very impressed with his team`s performances while on the brink of elimination twice. Now with Game 7 scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Staples Center, everybody would be experiencing nervousness
before heading into a game of such high magnitude.
Karl has come out openly to declare that he cannot wait for the game and even with all his experience is nervous for the first time in a very long time before the matchup.
“I'm nervous already,'' Karl said Friday ''I am 61 years old and I haven't been nervous, this nervous, for a game this early in a long time.''
However, he may not be the only one who is experiencing similar feelings of anxiousness as the game has so much on the line for both teams. For the Nuggets, a win in Game 7 would mean that they would have written their names down in the history books by
becoming only the ninth team in NBA history ever to comeback from a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series.
On the other hand if the Lakers fail to advance, they have only themselves to blame for getting into a situation like this in the first place, it would mean that another year has gone to waste and will face a lot criticism for their lack of intensity while
given the chance to wrap up the series.
Even though it is such a high pressure game, however, Kobe Bryant is not surprised to be in a situation like this as playoffs brings to life a completely different side to every team and a whole new level of intensity.
'I've seen a lot throughout my years, and I'm not that surprised,'' Bryant said ''They've played very well and got into a good rhythm now.''
This would be Bryant`s 6th game 7 in a much illustrious playoff career and he would expect his team mates to be on his side as they look to finally close out the series. Lakers have already blown two chances to advance into the second round and
their big men were very disappointing in those two games.
Pau Gasol could only managed 3 points in the Game 6 loss, a 17 point blowout by the Nuggets while Andrew Bynum looked to be asleep at time on the defensive end of the court. Kobe, speaking about Gasol, said that it was very unlike the Spaniard to be that
inefficient in a game and would expect him to come out strongly.
Bynum also believes that coming out strongly would be the only way to defeat this fast pace, never dying team of the Nuggets.
''They're just getting it done from everywhere,'' Bynum speaking about the Nuggets. ''Not everyone is putting in, so we're stuck in the same boat. The only way to win is to come out and play hard.''
Lakers would have available the services of their defensive specialist Metta World Peace, who will be making a return to action after a 7 match suspension.
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