This is not just tonight’s game, it stems back to the 20-21 season after the Lakers won the championship. We know he is inconsistent but why?
-
Are teams guarding him in specific ways?
-
Does he have weaknesses offensively that teams exploit?
-
Is he slow? This can definitely make guarding a bit easier if you’re not as mobile.
We know what he’s capable of so it is mind-boggling how up and down he can be. He’s not a #1, but that doesn’t mean you play like a #3 every other game.
Jump shot taking a nose dive has made him easier to defend. He has never been an outstanding perimeter shooter but he’s worse now and more reluctant. That makes him a little more limited as an offensive threat and easier to neutralize.
He playing the 5 vs the 4 does make a difference…he doesn’t have the size advantage compared to most of his matchups these days and gets pushed off spots by bigger centers. But ultimately u/NbaKOLeWorld is also right…AD isn’t a creator. He’s the ultimate play finisher with solid post up/face up ability. Lakers guard play was poor tonight and the Nuggets did a very good job taking away the roll. Lakers guard play was horrible. That’s the biggest causation of what happened tonight.
AD isn’t always the most naturally aggressive and that is a factor too.