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Mile High Meltdown

MC Homer Written by MC Homer, Friday May 29 2009
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      The Denver Nuggets showed their true colors, yet again. Before i get into that though, let me say, they had a fantastic year. “Special” was the word Chauncey Billups was coerced into using in his post game interview. No one expected Denver to make the playoffs, let alone make noise if they got there, when the season began. Then they traded for hometown hero, Billups. After a few weeks with Mr. Big Shot in the lineup, it became more than just a possibility of making the playoffs. As the year went on, not only would they make the post season for the sixth year in a row, but maybe they might even get out of the first round for the first time since the '93-'94 season. They did more than that though, they took the mighty Lakers to six games in the conference finals, then fell flat on their face.

 

     It was a valiant effort. I even heard numerous experts saying they thought Denver may have even been the better team. They supposedly have more firepower than LA, and when they wanted to, they dug their heels in and played some stifling defense, which, in turn, led to more offense. In the end though, they didn't have the mental toughness. I hesitate to say they were too immature, simply because they are a group of grown men, but they were nowhere near mature enough to be successful in the position they were in. What they lacked most of all was experience.


 

     Game six was a disaster for the Nuggets. They picked the absolute worst time to play their worst game of the playoffs, and it was at home too. On the other hand, Los Angeles looked unstoppable Friday night. I'm not sure there was anything Denver could have done to stop the runaway locomotive that was the Lakers in game six. Everyone chipped in for LA. Kobe had 35 on only 20 shots to go along with 10 assists. Odom and Gasol had 20 a piece. As a team they shot 56% (9/16) from long distance and the entire team didn't miss a single free throw, going a perfect 24 for 24. Oh, and they showed why they are the best road team in the NBA.


 

     Denver only had 14 assists on 32 made buckets. That's trying to do too much yourself. The Lakers had 28 dimes on 43 makes, that's finding the open guy. The Nuggets were out rebounded 38-27. Everything else was essentially a wash. What the Nuggets didn't have though was composure. The Lakers sensed blood in the water, and Denver did what they have been prone to do since, well, for quite a few years now, when their backs were against the wall, they lost hope. It is easy to do when you are in a must win game and you're losing, big, but what a let down for their fans.


 

     First it was the debacle late in game one on the inbounds pass, then after obviously not learning their lesson, the same thing happened in game three. I'm aware of the saying if if's and but's... but Denver could have been up 3-0 with game four at home and a chance to close out. Just like the Cleveland LeBron's and their series. They could just as easy been up 3-1, of course, they could also have been swept already if not for the Prince's answered prayer in game 2, but that wasn't my point.


 

     Time and time again, Denver's players would find a way to shoot themselves in the foot (good thing it wasn't the leg or they'd be facing jail time). If it wasn't the untimely inbounds screw ups, it was drawing technical fouls at inopportune times, like JR Smith at the end of the third quarter after burying a three at the buzzer in game three, a road win by the Lakers. I know the playoffs are an emotional roller coaster, but there comes a time when emotion needs to be set on the back burner, it can only carry you so far.


 

     In the end, you could tell the Lakers had been there before and the Nuggets had not. I question whether this Denver team, the way it is currently built, can handle another playoff run like this, or possibly a Finals run. I don't think their mindset is where it needs to be, nor do I think it is possible for the pieces they have to grasp that concept. I hate to name names, but Martin and Smith need to leave the 'tudes at the door because it only hurts their team. Even 'Melo is prone to a minor tantrum occasionally, shocking, huh? Emotion is great, but keep it in check boys. Everyone praised Billups for the job he did in transforming their locker room, and he did do a great job, but unfortunately, he's not a miracle worker. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Well, Chauncey can show his troops the right way to carry yourself on and off the court, leading by example and all, but he can't physically alter their mindset for them. Have a good summer guys.


 

     For back to back years, the Lakers have played well enough to earn a finals birth. Last year, they ran into a buzzsaw. Three future hall of famer's had an incredible season. This year is different. Their competition, while still elite, is not near the level it was last year. Besides, last year left a sour taste in LA's mouth. This year they are on a mission. If the Lakers play four games in the finals like they did in their closeout game in Denver, there is no doubt they will be raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy., and it doesn't matter who their opponent is. The Lakers finally get almost a week of rest after a brutally physical seven game slug fest with Houston and this six game title fight against the Nuggets.


 

     Four more wins and all the naysayers will shut their mou... wait, no, they'll find some other avenue to hate on Kobe and the Lakers, but that's okay, because they will have a nice shiny ring to float in the faces of critics while laughing on their the way (across town) to Disneyland. Denver was a test for Los Angeles, one they passed with relative ease. One more team awaits them. In this, their 30th finals birth, the Lakers wait to see who they play. Quite frankly, I don't think it matters. Not to them, not to their fans, not to anyone in the organization. Of course David Stern would give his left testicle for a LeBron vs. Kobe finals, or maybe he already has, but one thing is for sure, the best team in the Western Conference is knocking on the door, who will answer it? Orlando or Cleveland? Who ever it is better eat their Wheaties for breakfast, pack a lunch, and have a hearty dinner because it will be a dogfight to the end.


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