Tribe Recap: Indians BLOW (another late inning lead)
April 30, 2009Alex Mack Welcomes All Challenges
April 30, 2009A star from the 2003 draft playing the best ball of his career. A new point guard that has brought leadership and an outside shot. A defensive minded PF that challenges shots and makes hustle plays. Role players coming off the bench capable of putting up 20 on any given night. Quick- am I talking about the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Denver Nuggets? Exactly.
This Denver team is impressive. Sure, watching them dismantle the Hornets anyone would be impressed. But look at how they have been built. It has been said here before, but Chauncy Billups has made Denver a legit title contender. He has come in and complimented Anthony, Nene, Martin and J.R. Smith. Throw in the wild card Chris Anderson and you have the makings of a great team. I think the tandem of Gasol and Bynum will be too much for Nene and Martin to handle, but suddenly that series looks really, really good. Much more than the free pass everyone was giving the Lakers at the start of the playoffs.
20 Comments
If I was the Lakers, I’d be worried about Chris Anderson, calling the man strange would be an understatement.
Yeah but as far as meth addicts go, he is run of the mill.
Birdman is a top ten NBA personality of all time.
The NBA’s most-inked team will be crushed by the Lake Show.
Without reading the post and reading only the Headline…no.
Bynum, and Gasol are two talented offensively to be bothered by the collective but under-sized force of Nene, Martin and the Birdman. Carmelo has been on and off all season, and he would have to lead the team against the Lakers. With Kobe’s clutch shooting, it would be hard for him to be able to do that, and I still think the Lakers are “capable” of winning that series in five games. In the end, it will probably go down to six or seven, but it should be closer than that based on talent level.
I think worried is a little too strong of a word to use. I do think Denver is the only team in the West with a realistic chance of beating the Lakers, but I just don’t see it happening unless the Lakers let it happen to themselves. The Lakers are just too deep for the Nuggets. I don’t think Kobe lets his team sleepwalk through this series and I’ll say the ever-predictable prediction of Lakers in 6.
I’m sure Anthony, Nene, Martin and J.R. Smith appreciated the compliments from Billups, but it probably has more bearing on your argument that they and Billups play together well.
Nice one Phil.
Don’t the Nuggets still have to get by the Mavs?
Rock: I think that Portland could have given the Lake show some problems, or at least a longish series. Looks like they won’t get by the Rockets though.
Funny, I thought the Lakers had to play the winner of the Portland / Houston series next. You’re jumping the gun a little bit on this column.
The Lakers only need to be worried if they bring the same intensity that they did in the first round. The seemed to play down to their competition and their bench continually let the opposition back in the game. If this happens in the next series I think Kobe may flash back to the Kobe of old and attempt to put the Lakers on his back, which I am not convinced will be successful in the playoffs.
I agree with Kevin. Portland has shown a real ability to get under the Lakers’ skin. I’m still praying that they pull it out against the Rockets.
I’m not sure who I’m rooting for in the Portland/Houston series, I just want someone to give the Lakers a series. I really like Portland because they’re so young and fun to watch, plus they give the Lakers trouble when they play them. I just don’t like the frontcourt matchup against of Pryzbilla or Oden/Aldridge vs Gasol/Bynum/Odom.
I do think the Rockets matchup well with the Lakers even though they were 0-4 during the year. I think Artest and Battier would help to “slow down” Kobe and Yao would be a tough matchup for Bynum/Gasol.
I’ll go Blazers though b/c they’ve atleast beaten the Lakers this year.
The Lakers will beat Houston in no more than 5. I suppose Dallas could beat Denver, but I don’t see it happening. The WCF has Lakers-Nuggets written all over it.
Nuggs are playing their best basketball right now, and Birdman isn’t top 10 personalities of all time, he is THE top personality, the dude is freaking hilarious
I don’t know Ricky, the Cavs’ very own Delonte West is special as well, just ask Jim Rome.
Rock: I agree, just giving you some crap. However, I do think the Blazers could spoil the party if they could just get past Yao.
Personally, I’m kind of rooting for the Lakers to make the Finals because I want the Cavs to crush the arrogant Lakers fan who are under the misguided belief that Kobe Bryant is in Lebron James’ league.
I didn’t see any of the Nuggets games… From what I gather it was more about Billups playing well and containing Chris Paul. To beat the lakers, they need ‘Melo to be a stud.
Not Happening. Lakers in 5, with 2 really close games.
@DocZeus. Um. They are in the same league. Whether we like it or not.
Birdman, baby……Whooooooo!!!!