LA Lakers vs. Denver - Series LAL wins (4-0)

[eatyourchildren]

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You shouldn't gloat. We've been there the last few seasons, and we haven't done anything worth mentioning so far other than taking a 3-0 lead over a flawed team with no confidence or cohesiveness.

We've been there? You mean making a trade for past-their-prime all-stars? I didn't realize that's what we'd done.

[Sedale Threatt]

Maybe I was dreaming, but didn't we get our asses bounced out of the first round of the playoffs the past few years?

[eatyourchildren]

Maybe I was dreaming, but didn't we get our asses bounced out of the first round of the playoffs the past few years?

And never did we, after the loss, have to say to ourselves--oh crap, how do we unload these old guys that we traded for?

[Sedale Threatt]

No -- but after suffering through the past three seasons of complete mediocrity, I suppose all of my hubris has been drained and I don't see the need to gloat about anything.

[eatyourchildren]

No -- but after suffering through the past three seasons of complete mediocrity, I suppose all of my hubris has been drained and I don't see the need to gloat about anything.

I love being born to a city whose major Basketball team gets to have dynasties every 5 years. There is no hubris needed.

Look at next year's starting squad 1-12, especially their ages. Feel free to pump your fist.

[Sedale Threatt]

I don't take anything for granted. Boston was every bit the dynasty L.A. was, and look how terrible the Celtics were for 20 years. All it takes is one major injury, or one stupid personnel decision, and you're right back at the bottom of the heap.

[LaL25]

Back to tomorrow's game...
As much as I'd like the Lakers to put everybody out of their misery with this series, I have a feeling that Iverson and Camby are going to have huge games, and if Kleiza keeps being consistent, there's a good chance they could win tomorrow.

That is, if Melo and Kenyon don't lose their cool and do something stupid...

[Ballings7]

Lakers really closed down the paint nicely in the last game, making Denver a jumpshooting team. Which is similar to what they did in all three regular season meetings, and other teams have done to them in the past.

That's basically what you have to do defensively against Denver, because they are (still) a below-average 3PT shooting team, and a streaky, inconsistent type of mid-range shooting team.

I'd be surprised if Denver wins tonight

[andykeikei]

Lakers really closed down the paint nicely in the last game, making Denver a jumpshooting team. Which is similar to what they did in all three regular season meetings, and other teams have done to them in the past.

That's basically what you have to do defensively against Denver, because they are (still) a below-average 3PT shooting team, and a streaky, inconsistent type of mid-range shooting team.

I'd be surprised if Denver wins tonight

I agree. People saying they are bad defensively, but to me their stagnant offense is what fail them. They couldn't get early break and easy points like they do in the regular season because the Lakers focus more on transition defense. Then the Nuggets seem to be out of tricks and are forced to go isolation each time they have the ball. It doesn't help with Melo being a black hole when he draws double or even triple team and he still wouldn't pass the ball.

[Ballings7]

Denver is not respectable defensively, either. That also is one of their flaws.

Steals and blocks, sure, but not in the way of traditional, solid defense. They've played disciplined-type defense in spurts and for certain random games over the years. But that ultimately means nothing when you don't play defense consistently. If anything they're inconsistent at best, and not a passable defensive team. If they were, then they'd play like it on a regular basis, which they do not.

They simply have to get better on both ends of the court. Most importantly, defensive-minded, and improve the 3PT shooting. Ditch the serious reliance on forcing TOs and getting easy scores.

[Frosty]

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I love being born to a city whose major Basketball team gets to have dynasties every 5 years. There is no hubris needed.

What city is that?

[Bgil]

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I agree. People saying they are bad defensively, but to me their stagnant offense is what fail them. They couldn't get early break and easy points like they do in the regular season because the Lakers focus more on transition defense. Then the Nuggets seem to be out of tricks and are forced to go isolation each time they have the ball. It doesn't help with Melo being a black hole when he draws double or even triple team and he still wouldn't pass the ball.

The Lakers are very good at transition defense when they scheme for it. They should be... after playing all those games against Phoenix and Golden State.

[Texas Longhorns]

What if Denver was to come back and get this to 7 games? That would be amazing. But, too bad it's all dreams of Carmelo...

[-G-]

Which Nugget will get ejected tonight?

[Ballings7]

7 technical fouls in this series for Denver... continuing on from the regular season where they led the league in technicals.

Technicals or not, they have to improve their mental toughness with their emotions and not let it effect their play. It's been a problem since 04-05.

Deal with the play/call/non-call briefly, and move on.

[fokker]

The Lakers will dominate wire to wire in what will be 48 minutes of half court garbage time...the half the Nuggets are on.

[Crooked-I]

Lakers getting lay up after lay up. Nuggets just don't learn.

[Iggyemu]

Wonder if the Lakers will be the only team to sweep the first round.

[Ballings7]

Lakers will be superior

[AIfan3]

I'm not even watching this game... The Nuggets will learn next year how to defend.. Hopefully..