The Frightful Four: How DFS, Vando, Gabe, and Goodwin Shut Down the Nuggets
In an era where NBA defenses are often overshadowed by high-scoring offenses, the quartet of Dorian Finney-Smith (DFS), Jarred Vanderbilt (Vando), Gabe Vincent, and Jordan Goodwin put on a defensive clinic against the Denver Nuggets. Their relentless energy, suffocating pressure, and ability to make plays on both ends of the floor turned them into a defensive nightmare—a “Frightful Four” that seemed to be everywhere at once.
Against a team led by reigning MVP Nikola Jokić, the Lakers had no dominant rim protector to anchor their defense. Yet, instead of crumbling, they leaned into their strengths: versatility, hustle, and high-IQ rotations. The result? A defensive masterclass that left the Nuggets struggling for air.
The Lakers’ defensive scheme relied on intensity and precision. Without a traditional shot-blocking big, they couldn’t afford to let the Nuggets dictate the pace inside. Instead, DFS, Vando, Gabe, and Goodwin executed near-perfect defensive rotations, contesting every shot, disrupting passing lanes, and making Denver work for every basket.
Pressure Defense: From the opening tip, the Frightful Four hounded ball handlers. Vincent and Goodwin, both known for their aggressive perimeter defense, made life miserable for Denver’s guards. They fought over screens, closed out hard on shooters, and forced turnovers that led to easy transition buckets.
– **Hustle Plays:** Loose balls? They were on it. 50/50 plays? They turned them into 80/20 plays in their favor. Hustling for every possession, diving on the floor, and never giving up on plays became their calling card.
Rebounding Battle:Despite lacking a dominant big, the Lakers crashed the boards with controlled chaos. Vanderbilt, in particular, played bigger than his size, using his length and athleticism to keep possessions alive. Finney-Smith boxed out bigger opponents, and Goodwin contributed as an underrated rebounder.
The Nuggets have one of the league’s most efficient offenses, built around Jokić’s playmaking and scoring ability. Slowing him down is nearly impossible, but the Frightful Four didn’t need to stop him outright—they just had to disrupt the rhythm of Denver’s attack.
The key? Relentless switching, perfect communication, and constant movement.
– The Lakers swarmed Denver’s stars, throwing multiple defenders at Jokić and daring others to beat them.
– Their rotations were flawless—no lazy switches, no blown coverages, just suffocating defense at every turn.
– On the perimeter, Vincent and Goodwin shut down driving lanes, forcing Denver into tough mid-range shots.
This game showed exactly how a team without a reliable rim protector should play: with intensity, intelligence, and effort.
– Every rotation was on time, every switch was sharp, and every contest was disciplined.
– The high-energy approach neutralized Denver’s size advantage.
– The ability to hit timely open threes added just enough offense to complement their defensive brilliance.
Against a team like the Nuggets, winning without a dominant big requires near-perfection defensively. The Frightful Four delivered just that, proving that heart, hustle, and execution can sometimes trump size and star power.
If the Lakers continue to play this brand of defense, they won’t just be a tough team to beat—they’ll be a defensive force that no opponent wants to face.
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