The Lakers went into Denver on Saturday night and beat the Nuggets 103-97 to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference finals series.During the regular season, the Lakers won 11 more games than the Nuggets and beat them in the season series 3-1.
Why then does L.A. feel like the underdog in this series? It feels like the Lakers should be down in this series, feels like they are the inferior team and feels like they're the ones happy to hang in games and see if they can pull it out late.
The Nuggets have controlled much of the three games, but they've now found a way to botch two of them at closing time. They led by eight heading into the fourth quarter on Saturday and were up two with a minute-and-a-half left.
It seems pretty simple at this point. If the Nuggets can figure out the endgame, they'll likely be making their first NBA Finals appearance as a franchise. It's going to take a change of mindset, but that's what teams wanting to take the next step do.
One of their problems is that until the Nuggets prove they can make winning plays down the stretch and do the little things, like take care of the ball and keep their composure, nobody's really going to believe they can get there.
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Denver Nuggets' Chauncey Billups (L) reaches for a rebound in front of the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol during the second half of their NBA Western Conference Finals playoff basketball game at the Pepsi Center in Denver May 23, 2009. REUTERS/Jed Jacobson/Pool (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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DENVER - MAY 23: Actor Michael Clarke Duncan cheers on the Los Angeles Lakers against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 23, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Clarke Duncan
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Denver Nuggets' Chris Andersen (c) skies for a rebound over the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol (R) during the second half of their NBA Western Conference Finals playoff basketball game at the Pepsi Center in Denver May 23, 2009. REUTERS/Jed Jacobson/Pool (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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The Denver Nuggets' Dahntay Jones (front) lays the ball up as the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol (C) and Kobe Bryant (24) defend during the second half of their NBA Western Conference Finals playoff basketball game in Denver May 23, 2009. REUTERS/Jed Jacobson/Pool (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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The Denver Nuggets' Chauncey Billups (L) reaches for a rebound in front of the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol during the second half of their NBA Western Conference Finals playoff basketball game in Denver May 23, 2009. REUTERS/Jed Jacobson/Pool (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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DENVER - MAY 23: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball around Carmelo Anthony #15 and Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 23, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Carmelo Anthony;Nene
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DENVER - MAY 23: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a dunk over Chris Andersen #11 and Anthony Carter #25 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 23, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Chris Andersen;Anthony Carter
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Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, left, battles Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol of Spain for a rebound during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals Saturday, May 23, 2009, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) goes up for a basket against Denver Nuggets center Nene of Brazil, right, during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals Saturday, May 23, 2009, in Denver. Lakers won 103-97 over the Nuggets. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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DENVER - MAY 23: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers points in the second half against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 23, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Jackson
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But the opportunity is there. The Lakers are vulnerable because the Nuggets have made them so. After all, if you take a look at how Denver played in Game 3, it's a wonder they were even in the driver's seat at all, let alone in good shape for three-and-a-half quarters.
Carmelo Anthony, who had scored 30 or more points in five consecutive playoff games, suffered through a miserable second half. He wound up with 21 points on a dismal 4-for-13 from the floor.
Chauncey Billups, the other matchup problem for the Lakers, threw up a 5-for-15 from the field. In other words, the two most important Nuggets played quite poorly and yet the Nuggets nearly won the game.
Kenyon Martin didn't do much, either, and Nene was only so-so. J.R. Smith was sporadic and Linas Kleiza wasn't nearly as effective as he was in Game 2. Point is, there were very few Nuggets who should have walked out of their locker room feeling like they had put together a nice ball game.
This is good news, by the way, if you're a Nuggets fan. Your team shot 39 percent from the field and went 5-for-27 from 3-point range, but you're pointing to a play or two down the stretch that cost you.
Don't. Think about how badly your team played throughout on Saturday night and how close they were to going up 2-1 in the series. The Lakers rode a big fourth quarter by Kobe Bryant and some timely jumpers by Trevor Ariza, but most of the rest of the game fell the Nuggets' way.
This wasn't just any Lakers team the Nuggets faced on Saturday, either. No, that was a desperate Lakers team and it was obvious. Coach Phil Jackson was, by far, the most animated he's been in the postseason.
He actually stood several times during the game, raised his voice on occasion and even used a timeout once to stop a Nuggets run. Not that there were many of them.
The Nuggets' 97 points were well below what they had been doing at the Pepsi Center. They had scored 107 points or more in each of their previous six home playoff games and came into Game 3 averaging 113.
That the Nuggets struggled so much from the field and yet were right there in a position to win the game speaks to the improvement they've made on defense and with their mental approach.
There's little doubt that this Nuggets team is very different, and much better, than the one-round-and-out Nuggets of the past five years.
Are the Nuggets better than the Lakers? Right now, it sure seems that way. Even if they are down 2-1.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-24-2009 @ 2:22AM
Martin said...
I keep seeing these articles about how the better team lost. The authors then go on to list those players on the losing team who had sub-par games, while failing to discuss the players on the winning team who similarly played poorly as well as the players on the losing team who fared better than usual. Thus, in this article, the author fails to mention that Fisher was 2 out of 6 for four points, Bynum was 2 out of 6 for seven points, and the Laker bench was only 5 out of 16 (and 1 out of 7 from 3 point land) for only 15 points. And Denver got 15 points from Anderson and 10 more from Jones, which is 14 more than they usually get from those two players.
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5-24-2009 @ 1:14PM
ozarkdaze said...
. . . and you could have mentioned the Lakers missed 14 free throws. This is usually a very good free throw shooting team that had an off night at the line. If they would have hit their normal 80 percent this game would have been a blowout and these "analysts" would be scrounging for something to write about.
Also, it sure looks like the refs are doing whatever they can to help the Nuggets -- but somehow that isn't working for them either.
5-24-2009 @ 2:52AM
uwreckme2 said...
The lakers do what all great teams are able to do. Turn it up to another level when it's time to finish an opponent off. Just like any sprinter in a race knows you never go all out at the start so you can save your stamina and endurance for the final stretch.. the Lakers are doing just that.
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5-24-2009 @ 5:09AM
mrholt3 said...
Its simple folks, experience over youth will always get the job done in the end!!
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5-24-2009 @ 5:42AM
obamaizadope said...
The Nuggets are getting to the hole far too easily. If Bynum is going to sit for 27 minutes a night, at least have him use up his 6 fouls knocking some people on their butt..
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5-24-2009 @ 6:13AM
uticabob said...
These articles by Laker Haters make me sick. Come on idiots, Lakers could be up 3 - 0. Ok, Nuggets could be 3 - 0. BUT THEY'RE NOT!!! Reason? Lakers are a championship team, loaded with talent and above all: EXPERIENCE. Shoulda, coulda, woulda....bottom line is Lakers are up 2 - 1 and going to win in 6. Let me say it again; Lakers in 6. All your excuse making doesn't change the fact the Lakers know how to win and WILL!
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5-24-2009 @ 7:13AM
knowledge said...
So let me get this straight. Kobe scores 40+ points in two games, Trevor Ariza makes two wonderful plays, Gasol does his thing on the court ultimately leading the Lakers to a 2-1 series lead. While on the other coast, Cleveland chokes away 2 huge leads and needs a last second 3 from Lebron James to tie their series 1-1 apiece. This article basically explains to the readers how beatable the Lakers are. While on an article displayed yesterday, it basically crowned Cleveland champions of the world after 2 games. So I'm just curious as to what will be written about if the Lakers win in 6 games (you are correct uticabob)? Will they still be vulnerable? beatable? Or better yet, what will they write about if "King" James (option A,B,C or D) loses to the lowly Magic? (no disrespect to Orlando cuz Im rootin 4 ya)
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5-25-2009 @ 6:30PM
cjohn2112 said...
your rooting for the magic?...thats gonna come back and bite you when they beat your lakers in 6
5-24-2009 @ 7:37AM
marylulu325 said...
The media and the refs are always giving the Lakers a thumbs down. Meanwhile Kobe was MVP last year, this year the team is not playing the
best bust here they are 2 up in the semi-finals.
Give Kobe and the Lakers a thumbs up. Some people just cant praise those that are GOOD.....
Lets go LAKERS & KOBE. I know you can do it.
Your experience in the playoffs should pay off.
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5-24-2009 @ 7:38AM
jay said...
Mr. Steinmetz (I use the mister loosely) your a freaking idiot. Are you actually compensated for your analysis in the denver/laker final. How can denver be the favorite when they have to win 3 out of 4 games with 2 of the remaining games being in LA. Are you serious. Get a new job please! You disgust me,
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5-24-2009 @ 9:44AM
ontvag said...
The mental gymnastics and wishful thinking in this article are truly breathtaking and utterly laughable. Up is down, night is day, and the tooth fairy is going to deliver the West's title to Denver on a silky white pillow. He should answer his true calling and work for a politician.
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5-24-2009 @ 9:53AM
jimtheatre said...
Well once again the lakers lose in the press and win the game, It is so hard for me to comprehend how (you think) intelligent sports writer writes and article that says the winning team is losing. I wonder if we were watching the same game. The headline always reads king james winner kobie ball hog. Sad that you so called sports writers have any common sense what so ever. Why not oppose to what you are doing write about the winning team and how great kobie was to get 40 count it 40 points to win the game. Carmillo got I think the state was 15 or even 20. I am not reading your article again because I would like to read an article that tells the truth about the game not your truth which is a lie.
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5-24-2009 @ 11:03AM
RICK said...
STEINMETZ,
YOU SAY DENVER IS IN CONTROL BECAUSE THEIR TWO STARS PLAYED SUBPAR. AND WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER LAKERS BESIDES KOBE, GASOL AND ARIZA. WHERE IS THE POINTS FROM FISCHER, ODEM, WALTON, SASHA AND FARMAR????? IF YOU THINK THE LAKERS HAVE BEEN PLAYING AT THEIR PEAK THEN YOU HAVEN'T BEEN WATCHING THE GAMES ONLY READING THE STAT SHEETS !
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5-24-2009 @ 11:07AM
RICK said...
5-24-2009 @ 8:47AM
sandytarrdesign said...
The rapist pig lowlife shouldn't even be allowed on the court.
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================
YOU ARE A MORON !!!!!!!!!!!!
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5-24-2009 @ 11:07AM
cabinetec said...
Sandy go knit or do something you know something about
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5-24-2009 @ 11:13AM
cabinetec said...
Matt your a sprots writer and you still dont understand that what the Lakers are doing is what separates a champion from the rest of the teams????? THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN. Anyone who follows sports knows that is what makes a champion a champion. Matt id be ashamed to call myself a sprots writer if I only possesed the knowlage and ability that you have. Your article is a JOKE.
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5-24-2009 @ 11:42AM
mike said...
Lakers played a "C" game and you think Denver is favored? You're a MORON thats right MORON! I'm tired of you sportswriters, who never laced up any thing but their Rockports write about sports and players. King James, takes 30 shots he Mr. Great! Kobe takes 30 shots he all of a sudden a "Ball Hog"! What a joke; you should fire yourself and save the Boss from having to do it later.
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5-24-2009 @ 11:53AM
50 Million said...
The Nuggets have proved that they are choke artists of the highest caliber. In the last two
games they could not even get an inbound pass in in crunch time. They let their emotions get the best of them and don't have the demeanor to get to the next level. Kobe is as cool as the other side of the pillow. GO LAKERS!
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5-24-2009 @ 11:54AM
Bobbie said...
Ha ha! I LOVED watching kobe trying to gasp for air! That's what playing a mile high will get you! So funny, you'd think the lakers had never been here before. Sorry laker fans you are used to a team that comes out and blows Denver away...not this time. It says a lot by the fact that the lakers are struggeling so hard.
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5-24-2009 @ 6:11PM
Bryan said...
Yeah, all the Lakers could do was beat the nuggets on their home court where they were undefeated in the postseason.
Lakers are grabage because all they did was stop a 16 game home winning streak and didn't blow them out.
Shut up. Stop being an idiot.