[LAL/DEN] Western Conference finals
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I don't see the Lakers winning a Game 6 in Denver, barring a serious injury on the Nuggets. Between the travel and elevation, plus the long series against Houston, I think they have to win it in LA in Game 5 or Game 7.
I'm taking Lakers in 5, because I really want to see the Lakers and Cavs go toes in the Finals. I think that would be the best Finals in a long time, maybe since Bulls vs. Lakers in '91.
I'm taking Lakers in 5, because I really want to see the Lakers and Cavs go toes in the Finals. I think that would be the best Finals in a long time, maybe since Bulls vs. Lakers in '91.
I think game 4 is either going to be postponed til what originally would have been past game 7, or more likely moved to an alternate Denver arena. I just don't see how you could argue against the WWE's rights. Maybe the Nuggets don't want to hurt their HCA at all, and they'll try to work things out and buy their way out of their agreement with the WWE.
He did last year.
Not downgrading the nuggets one bit but this is, apart from Billups and minus Camby, the same team the lakers steamrolled last year in the playoffs.
I give you that Billups has been a huge improvement over Iverson, and that Nene has given them a boost in this years playoffs. But unless Billups is going to bang with Odom, Gasol and Bynum and guard Kobe while he is at I dont see what has changed with these Nuggs besided the point guard.
Not downgrading the nuggets one bit but this is, apart from Billups and minus Camby, the same team the lakers steamrolled last year in the playoffs.
I give you that Billups has been a huge improvement over Iverson, and that Nene has given them a boost in this years playoffs. But unless Billups is going to bang with Odom, Gasol and Bynum and guard Kobe while he is at I dont see what has changed with these Nuggs besided the point guard.
How about that Carmelo has finally matured and has become the 4th best player in this league (behind Lebron, Wade, and that other guy)?
How about that George Karl has finally instilled some DEFENSE into this team?
How about that these Nuggets are 8-2 in the playoffs, and with the exception of the Cavaliers, have played better than any other team in these playoffs by a MILE?
And you can't just say "besides the point guard" as if Chauncey Billups is just another player on the roster. The fact is, he single handedly turned this team from a perennial western conference punching bag into an elite team.
And last I checked, Derek Fisher was your starting point guard. The same guy who up until Game 7 in the Rockets series, missed 13 of 14 3-pointers, and made Aaron Brooks look like a hall of famer. I can't WAIT to see what those old legs are going to look like trying to slow down Chauncey Billups. I hope he's refining his pathetic flopping skills, because that's his only chance to slow Billups.
How about that George Karl has finally instilled some DEFENSE into this team?
How about that these Nuggets are 8-2 in the playoffs, and with the exception of the Cavaliers, have played better than any other team in these playoffs by a MILE?
And you can't just say "besides the point guard" as if Chauncey Billups is just another player on the roster. The fact is, he single handedly turned this team from a perennial western conference punching bag into an elite team.
And last I checked, Derek Fisher was your starting point guard. The same guy who up until Game 7 in the Rockets series, missed 13 of 14 3-pointers, and made Aaron Brooks look like a hall of famer. I can't WAIT to see what those old legs are going to look like trying to slow down Chauncey Billups. I hope he's refining his pathetic flopping skills, because that's his only chance to slow Billups.
I think one of the more overlooked factors for the Nuggets has been the Birdman. Seriously, Andersen has been playing superb defense for a while now. Kevin Arnowitz had a nice piece on Andersen's defense on Nowitzki and I wasn't one bit surprised to see that the only game Dallas won was when Andersen was sitting out due to illness. Aside from Andersen, I think the whole Denver bench has improved tremendously. Smith, despite still being a knucklehead, is quite a bit more mature than he was earlier in his career. The Birdman is a very nice disrupter off the bench (in that regard a bit similar to Zo's role in Miami's championship) and even Anthony Carter is playing quite well of late.
It's fascinating how much two simple trades (I never liked Camby and actually thought dumping him was a smart thing to do) have changed the whole mentality of the team. I can definitely see them taking the Lakers to the edge, especially if the Lakers don't change something about their mental toughness. Maybe a few yoga and meditation sessions will help...
It's fascinating how much two simple trades (I never liked Camby and actually thought dumping him was a smart thing to do) have changed the whole mentality of the team. I can definitely see them taking the Lakers to the edge, especially if the Lakers don't change something about their mental toughness. Maybe a few yoga and meditation sessions will help...
Go Nuggs!!!!!!
Someone mentioned nobody being able to match up with Kobe. While obviously, no one can stop him when he is on, Dahntay Jones is one hell of a defender. Kobe will have to work for his baskets. I think Nene, K-Mart and the Birdman will give the Lakers front line some problems as well. The Nuggets match up really well.
Someone mentioned nobody being able to match up with Kobe. While obviously, no one can stop him when he is on, Dahntay Jones is one hell of a defender. Kobe will have to work for his baskets. I think Nene, K-Mart and the Birdman will give the Lakers front line some problems as well. The Nuggets match up really well.
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