If it's true the two most important positions in basketball are the point guard and the center, than the L.A. Lakers are going to be in for a doozy of a Western Conference final.
OK, so technically the Lakers haven't quite advanced that far yet. But after their 118-78 Game 5 blowout win over the Rockets, is it really going out on a limb to say L.A. is going to get there? Ditto for the Denver Nuggets, who lead the Mavericks 3-1 in the conference semifinals and have two cracks at putting them away on their home floor to close out the series.
The Nuggets, like the Lakers, might not quite be there yet, but is there really any harm – or danger – in projecting a Denver-L.A. conference final?
Of course not.
Coming into the postseason, the Lakers had to be considered the prohibitive favorites to advance to the NBA Finals. The Nuggets were a dark horse, and no better. But that was before we got a good look at each team, and now that we have, it's obvious the Nuggets have a chance.
If the Lakers have been exposed in two areas this postseason, it's been at point guard and up front, which just so happen to be two real areas of strength for Denver. Utah's Deron Williams was a problem for the Lakers in Round 1, and Aaron Brooks has caused headaches in Round 2.
Well, next up is Chauncey Billups, who has not only been the best point guard in the NBA playoffs this year, but he's got a better supporting cast to work with than either Williams or Brooks.
Billups has a combination of size, strength and quickness that makes him a tough matchup for any of the Lakers' ones, whether it's Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar or Shannon Brown.
There is a scenario out there in which Kobe Bryant will have to spend some time defending Billups, which is the last thing the Lakers need. Put it this way, it would behoove the Lakers if Bryant could match up with Dahntay Jones most of the series, and then periodically with J.R. Smith.
If Bryant has to go onto Billups for any length of time, it's likely going to have ramifications on the offensive end. It's a cliché, but it's true ... the more energy you can make Bryant extend on the defensive end, the less energy he'll have on the offensive end. No matter who does it, defending Billups is going to take energy.
Then, there's the recurring issue of the Lakers' toughness – or lack thereof. While the Lakers cakewalked to a gimme win over the Rockets on Tuesday, it's impossible to forget about Sunday's debacle.It wasn't just that the Rockets clobbered the Lakers on Sunday without Yao Ming, it was how Houston's scrappers and second-tier players outplayed, out-toughed and out-worked Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.
Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chucky Hayes dirtied up Sunday's game to such an extent that they rendered the Lakers' front line ineffectual. Gasol scored some points in the fourth quarter but that was long after the outcome had been decided.
Pretty soon, the Lakers will be looking at a front line of Nene, Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen. That front line is more talented, more physical and more athletic than Houston's front line.
The Nuggets are also a little nastier, which you know they'll try to exploit. You think Martin's going to let that slide?
Coming into the playoffs, it was a little crazy to think the Nuggets could challenge the Lakers. Now that we're into them, it would be a little crazy not to think they can challenge L.A.
Latest NBA Playoff Photos
Brent Barry (17) of the Houston Rockets leaps over actors Leonardo DiCaprio (L) and Kevin Bacon during Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, May 12, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)
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Guitarist Richie Sambora and his daughter Ava Elizabeth await the start of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series in Los Angeles,Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Lakers won 118-78. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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Actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick watch the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets during Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series in Los Angeles,Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Lakers won 118-78. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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Actor Leonardo DiCaprio watches the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets during Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Lakers won 118-78. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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Actors Leonardo DiCaprio, left, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick watch the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets during Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series in Los Angeles,Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Lakers won 118-78. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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California First Lady Maria Shriver attends Game 5 of a second-round NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Lakers won the game, 118-78. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Actor Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta, attend Game 5 of a second-round NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 12: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before taking on the Houston Rockets in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 12, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 12: Golfer Phil Mickelson shakes hands with Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers after the Lakers defeated the Rockets 118-78 in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 12, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Mickelson;Kobe Bryant
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Singer Katharine McPhee watches Game 5 of a second-round NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Lakers won the game, 118-78. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-13-2009 @ 12:28PM
leftymo said...
Too bad Denver is 1-11 in their last 12 games against the Lakers. LA has two legit 7 footers. Denver can't match that, and lastly the best player in the matchup is Kobe Bryant and Denver has nobody to guard him. Series over. 6 games b/c of the homecourt of Denver. But LA wins.
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5-13-2009 @ 4:10PM
Jay said...
Who are these "legit" 7-footers you speak of? OK, I got one: Pau Gasol. Now who's the other? I know for damn sure it isn't Andrew Bynum who is making Mbenga look like a far better option, so don't say Bynum.
5-13-2009 @ 4:13PM
Jay said...
Oh, and if you're thinking of throwing Odom out there as a "legit" 7-footer, then you must be a comedian. Odom is a "legit" underachiever.
5-13-2009 @ 1:39PM
craig said...
last time la played nuggets ..the nuggets won..Whos playing better right now? this will go 6...but its the nuggets on the winning end...in the end....
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5-13-2009 @ 2:52PM
roberto said...
no, the last time the nuggets played LA, the Lakers won. It was the end of the season.
5-13-2009 @ 11:46PM
nabpdcop said...
HEY CRAIGASS, when was the last time you watched a basketball game? You are a MORON and A HATER. You really think in a seven game series that the Denver Nuggets can beat LA? Better nstop smoking that CRACK............lolololololololol.
5-13-2009 @ 4:19PM
newnewsweetie said...
catch the highlights at http://www.USSports.TV
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5-13-2009 @ 4:44PM
craig said...
my bad....the nuggets beat the lakers the next to last time they played...90-79...but again...who is playing better now?
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5-13-2009 @ 5:45PM
Michael gifford said...
I don't think the Nuggets "A" game can beat the Lakers "A" game...however, and this is a big however, during the last half of the season, and particularly in the playoffs the percentage of time the Nuggets bring their "A" game is about 85-90 and the percentage of time the Lakers bring theirs is about 30-40...and unfortunately, the Lakers have grooved that as their pattern which gives a HUGE edge to the Nuggets...as for the regular season record well, any of the champions from MJ to Duncan to Kobe will tell you that the regular season is just that...regular but the Playoffs is a whole new season making the regular season's results moot. they are just the entry point to being able to have or not have home court...from there on, if the team doesn't shift gears, they're toast...it's likely (though I don't want it to be true but it is ) it's likely that the nuggets will beat the lakers...maybe in 6 maybe in 7 and if lakers play like game 4, the nuggets will win in 5
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5-13-2009 @ 6:01PM
niqs13 said...
NUGGETS all the way
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5-13-2009 @ 6:40PM
Nate said...
The only thing keeping Denver in the conversation for a Finals appearance is Denver fans and their somewhat valid argument about matchups and energy. However, L.A. is the far better team when you take a step back and look at everything, and not just one-one-one scenarios. It's a team game, and the Lakers have the better team.
Plus Bynum threw down a hefty performance last game, which leads me to believe he was purposely underachieving in the postseason so far because he felt Jackson didn't believe in him; now that he has his starting spot back, he's back to the 2-years-ago Bynum who was on his way to becoming the new 'Shaq', with added bonuses of free-throw shooting and a mid-range jumpshot.
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5-13-2009 @ 6:49PM
dmtrsh said...
I know last year was last year but what two teams were in the championship! T lakers are just that, the Lakers. They will win over Denver, soooo what Denver got hot in the playoff they still don't have anyone onther than Billups with championship experience and also no one that can handle the lakers in the paint. Yeah the lakers have a pattern of leting teams back into a series or games for that matter. but the lakers seem to get in gear when they have a challange. this was evident in the Utah series it seems that the lakers got bord so they went through the motions and the same for that ass kicking they received from Houston a few days ago. They thought that Houston was going to just lay down so the lakers played like that. but you see what happened last night, the lakers kicked that ass all night and i feel that even with Yao they would have won. so the story is that the lakers need a serious challange to get up for a team and as for denver the lakers will be up! so just because Denver won a few more games than the lakers (in the playoffs) don't mean crap. also the lakers match up better with denver than houston. so again denver will be watching the championship series ponderig next yesr!
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5-13-2009 @ 6:55PM
dmtrsh said...
I know my typing as bad so bare with me,...typing tooo fasttttt lol. Lakers will win over Denver no doubt!
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5-13-2009 @ 7:17PM
Martin said...
Someone might want to tell Michael Jordan that the most important positions are point guard and center. The Bulls won a lot of championships without having great players at those positions.
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5-13-2009 @ 7:19PM
dottiu6788 said...
Fish matches up well with Chauncey because they are about the same size. But Fish didn't matchup with the quicker and younger Brooks. Chauncey is in now way as quick as Brooks.
I don't believed LA will have ANY problems with Denver. The key for LA is Bynum's rotation back into the starting lineup and gaining confidence. Bynum had 14 points and 6 rebounds in the last game and look more mobile on defense. So, I expect Gasol to move back to forward. This matchup presents issues for Denver.
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5-13-2009 @ 7:23PM
dottiu6788 said...
I agree with you. How the Lakers play Houston is no indication of them as a team. The Lakers know how to play GREAT basketball when it counts. They did it all season long when they ended long winning streaks of the Cavs and Celtics. The Lakers walked into the playoffs with an attitude of playing in the finals. These games in between are small to them because they did this last year. Sweeping Houston would have meant nothing to them. This is why they seem to play teams they KNOW they can beat, non-chalant.
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5-13-2009 @ 7:26PM
dottiu6788 said...
The last game between Denver and LA, LA won. LA stopped Denver's 7 game winning streak, just like they stopped the Celtics and Cavs streaks.
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5-13-2009 @ 9:31PM
Michael gifford said...
"sweeping Houston would have meant nothing to them" Really??? so let me get this straight...teams don't benefit from extra rest and preparation time for the next opponent??? Sweeping a team means Actually at LEAST 3 things, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'VE BEEN TESTED IN ROUND 1 AND WILL BE TESTED IN ROUND 3...
Item 1. Rest...first and foremost in physical series in particular, rest is a key factor in recovery time which allows for top players to play at their ultimate level for the maximum time if needed. It also repairs minor injuries which, while they can be overridden by being tough minded, are much better dealt with if not present to have to over ride.
Item 2. Extra preparation time. Dealing with a team's tendencies in regular season is one thing, dealing with what they show in playoffs is another, especially as they face opponents one can observe the adjustments being made over the course of a game as well as a series, and as many have said, winning playoffs is a matter of making the best adjustments to what your opponent throws at you. You also get to practice some surprises that the teams haven't seen with extra time.
Item 3. The Image of Invincibility...this is an important "X" factor. If a team blows out teams regularly (ie. Cavs) they get an edge of seeming superiority...other teams get that just so slight "they're very tough to beat" phrase in their head and whether it's a player or a whole team...that sense of difficulty entering a player's psyche can either galvanize a team or demoralize it. it's a 50-50 chance...and while some may say that "champions don't succumb to that" ask anyone who plays against Tiger Woods in the final round of a tourney if it doesn't make them a little nervous that no matter what, he'll pull it off.
So far what have the Lakers shown?
A. they can come from behind
B. they can and do frequently blow big leads which means "stick around, you'll get a chance" to other teams
C. they have flashes of brilliance and championship play...but only flashes
D. they are basically inconsistent and NOT a team to bet on if consistency is a factor in the outcome...
So...all in all...will Lakers beat Nuggets? Maybe...but now, instead of being concerned about lakers, the Nuggets, after their own strong showing, could give a crap that their next opponent might be Lakers...to them, they're just another team...not a good feeling to leave an opponent with...
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5-13-2009 @ 9:37PM
Michael gifford said...
one last thing...for those who are soooooooooo certain the Lakers, or ANY time is a lock to win it all either at conference or championship level, then by all means prove your certainty by betting the house, the farm, the car, your kids college fund and whatever spare cash you have left from the last 8 years of the leadership debacle in this country...AND maybe you'll win heaps of cashish to brag about...and maybe, just maybe, you'll lose it all...the bookies in Vegas would love to take your money. Otherwise, and "certain 'X' teams will win' points of view are just mouth with no backup...so I pose the question "Just how certain ARE you?" For me, while I'd love to see Lakers win, I'm not all that certain...and after what Celtics have shown so far...I'm not all that certain Cavs will win East either. It's probable, but not certain.
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5-13-2009 @ 11:52PM
leftymo said...
Sorry Nuggets fans, you know they don't stand a chance against LA. It may look close but Kobe + Pau > Chauncey + Melo. Nuggets have no experience going this far sans Billups. Lakers are just bigger. Should be a good series, but let's not get crazy here. LA will be favored, just like Denver was favored against Dallas & NO.
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