As the Los Angeles Clippers prepare to face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs, head coach Tyronn Lue made headlines with his curious response to a question about the Nuggets’ defensive strengths.
Lue was asked to highlight what he believed were the key strengths of Denver’s defense. His response—or lack thereof—has since sparked discussion.
When posed with the question, Lue appeared momentarily caught off guard. Instead of offering the customary praise often heard in pre-playoff press conferences, he hesitated and ultimately avoided giving a direct answer.
“I ain’t gonna tell you. I can’t remember. Good though, Law, but I ain’t gonna tell them what they’re good at… I respect the question, but I’m not gonna answer that one.”
A funny exchange between Tyronn Lue and @LawMurrayTheNU on the strengths of the Nuggets’ defense.
“I ain’t gonna tell you. I can’t remember. Good though, Law, but I ain’t gonna tell them what they’re good at… I respect the question, but I’m not gonna answer that one.” pic.twitter.com/Sza87UF405
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 16, 2025
Lue’s hesitation may stem from the Nuggets’ well-documented defensive inconsistencies this season. Despite boasting individual standouts like Aaron Gordon, Denver finished the regular season ranked in the bottom 10 in defensive efficiency. The team has struggled with perimeter defense and rim protection, issues that have been exacerbated by the absence of elite point-of-attack defenders.
These defensive shortcomings have been a point of concern for the Nuggets, especially as they enter the playoffs under interim head coach David Adelman following the midseason firing of Michael Malone. The Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, are expected to exploit these weaknesses in their quest to advance to the second round.
