"We could have been better, you don't have much room for error vs Denver": LeBron James, after falling against the Nuggets in series opener

The Denver Nuggets started their series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a huge hard-fought win. LA started the game great but couldn't maintain the pressure over the reigning champions. After the game, LeBron James broke down the reasons for their defeat, pointing out the things that his team need to improve in order to compete against Nikola Jokic's Nuggets.

LeBron James played an awesome first half in the first game of these Western Conference first round of the playoffs. The King started red hot from the field, scoring at his will. Unfortunately for him, the team wasn't able to keep up with the Nuggets starting the third quarter. Denver made LA fight for every shot they got as their phisicality slowly wore the Lakers out.

In the press conference, James addressed the Lakers issues with clearing the boards, as Denver generated a lot of points coming from their offensive rebounds. The Nuggets registered a total of 15 offensive boards, 11 more than LA.

"I thought we were playing good basketball (on the first half). I got some good shots, we were able to connect some good shots and build-up a 12-point lead and they cut that lead to three at the half," said LeBron. "They rolled that mommentum into the third and got up to a two-digit lead for themselves."

About the things that LA must improve, the King answered:

"Get bodies, hit bodies. It's challenging at times, Aaron Gordon does a great job at the dunker's spot, Joker and his ability to rebound his misses or just rebound in general, is a big team, they got a big team. We just got to do a better job on trying to get hits and collectively rebound in the defensive glass."

"We could have been better. We know you don't have much room for error vs this Denver team, especially on their home floor. They've through everything, they are the defending champions so you gotta execute, you gotta make shots, you gotta defend. You can't give them extra possessions, " declared the 21-year veteran. "They made shots, and we were not very good offensively, I thought we have some good looks but we weren't able to connect," concluded James.