Last spring, there was almost a universal Lakers’ voice bemoaning a lack of continuity, their deadline-assembled roster no match for the bulldozing Denver Nuggets, who made every big shot and got every big stop during a Western Conference finals sweep.
The Lakers’ offseason, in no small part, was driven by the chance to respond — the vow to essentially “run it back” with small changes around the margins.
Yet those inside the locker room acknowledged a harsh, yet obvious, truth, following the Lakers’ 124-114 loss to Denver. They’re not close to beating the team that ousted them a year ago.