The Los Angeles Lakers swept the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2008 NBA playoffs. That in itself is not so surprising. The thing that has everyone scratching their heads is how easy the Lakers have made it look. The best the Nuggets have managed is a 114-128 shellacking at the hands of Kobe and company. What happened to the explosive team of the regular season that was second in scoring? The Lakers have made Melo, AI, and the rest of the Nuggets look like they are in kindergarten. The Lakers are out-hustling out-scoring, and out-playing Denver. It looks like Kobe and Gasol are having the time of their lives, while Melo and the rest of the Nuggets are playing the blame game.
The Nuggets took an early exit from the playoffs for a fifth straight year. On paper the Nuggets lineup is as good as anybody else. With Anthony, Iverson, Martin, and Camby you would think they would be good enough to get it done in the rugged west. The bench is not bad either, with rising starts such as JR Smith and Linas Kleiza they add depth to a star studded team. The answer to this mystery is defense. With Denver perennially ranked near the cellar in total defense over the last few seasons it won't be able to get out of the first round without some major changes. The basketball sages say that defense wins championships, a championship is one thing that has eluded the franchise, if the Nuggets want to win they better learn how to play some "D".
2 comments:
Nice work, I liked it.
You dont give much credit for to the Lakers. I agree with what you said, but the Lakers are hot right now. Playing the best ball they have played since the 'Fab Four'. And with such a young talented team the Lakers are going to be good for a long time now. Nuggets did blow it. Even for an 8th seed team(only separeted from the Lakers by 7 games I think it was). West coast is too competive to be playing the way they were, with having that level of high caliber players on the team. 'AI' was not the answer. For the Nuggets to win, they need a true big man(center) and change there offense. Kick Karl out of Denver. Five years with nothing out of it is a waste. My thoughts anyways.
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