Nuggets at Lakers
Regular Season Numbers and Rank
Defensive Field Goal Percentage
Los Angeles – 44.53% (6th)
Denver – 45.65% (14th)
Rebound Differential
Los Angeles – +1.35 (8th)
Denver – -1.29 (21st)
Point Differential
Los Angeles – +7.25 (3rd)
Denver – +3.70 (11th)
Shooting
Los Angeles – 47.64% (3rd)
Denver – 46.99% (6th)
3-Point Shooting
Los Angeles – 37.8% (6th)
Denver – 35.5% (19th)
Free Throw Shooting
Los Angeles – 76.92% (10th)
Denver – 75.07% (19th)
Turnovers
Los Angeles – 14.09 (11th)
Denver – 14.67 (21st)
Fouls
Los Angeles – 20.62 (15th)
Denver – 21.11 (17th)
Pace Factor
Los Angeles – 98.0 (6th)
Denver – 102.3 (1st)
Individual Matchups
Point Guard
Derek Fisher & Jordan Farmar v Anthony Carter & Chucky Atkins – Fisher has been huge for the Lakers this season. His leadership and 3-point shooting has been key to LA’s meteoric rise, and the torn tendon in his right foot hasn’t affected his play at all. Carter is really just a place holder who makes sure the Nugs get into their offensive sets early in the first and third quarters.
The spark that Farmar brings off the pine with his athleticism, play making, finishing and shooting ability is invaluable to the Lakers success. Jordan is the perfect compliment to Derek in that he plays the game faster and is able to stay with quicker players. Atkins is still rounding back into form after missing 58 games this season. If he’s able to contribute his 3-point shooting could help.
Shooting Guard
Kobe Bryant & Sasha Vujacic v Allen Iverson & J.R. Smith – If/when Kobe and Allen are defending each other it will be must see TV. Unfortunately I don’t think Iverson will be on Bryant all that much because triple ocho will eat him alive in the mid-post. Look for Kobe to on AI down the stretch though. The story is the same for both really; when they involve their teammates consistently they have a much better chance to win.
The bench guys both are 3-point shooting specialists. The difference being that Vujacic is also a quality defender. Sasha is also an agitator which is always a nice quality in the post season. J.R. doesn’t bring much else to the table besides shooting, but if he’s on Denver is tough to beat.
Small Forward
Vladimir Radmanovic & Luke Walton v Carmelo Anthony & Linas Kleiza – When Radmanovic’s head is into the game he makes LA ultra-dangerous on offense. Besides shooting Vlad can also put it on the floor and is an underrated passer as well. That said he has ZERO chance to stop Melo. Anthony is definitely stronger that Radmanovic and he’s probably quicker too. The Lakers may have to let Melo “get his” and focus on stopping everyone else.
Linas the Menace is one of my favorite players and would probably start for a lot teams in the league. He and Smith really give the Nugs a potent bench scoring duo. Walton has been slowed by a right hamstring injury recently. Not that it’s affected his play though because he still sucks. Unfortunately I don’t expect to see Trevor Ariza (broken right foot) until the Conference Final at the earliest.
Power Forward
Lamar Odom & Ronny Turiaf v Kenyon Martin & Eduardo Najera – Odom has really settled into his niche since the arrival of Gasol. Not only is he LA’s best interior defender and rebounder, but he also shoots over 50% and can lead a fast break at 6’10. Martin is not quite the athletic finisher/rebounder he was after microfracture surgery on both knees. Nevertheless K-Mart is still an effective player and knows his role in Denver’s scheme.
The backups are almost carbon copies of each other, except Turiaf is much younger and more athletic. Najera is the better shooter with range out to deep, but Ronny is tougher around the rim and a superior shot locker. Each guy will hustle every second they are out there though.
Center
Pau Gasol & Chris Mihm v Marcus Camby & Steven Hunter – The Nugs never faced Pau this season so they’ll have to adjust to the dimension he brings to the Lakers. Fortunately for Denver Camby might be the perfect guy to defend Gasol. Marcus has the length and quickness to stay with the Spaniard everywhere on the court. However in doing this Camby will no longer be able to help off Pau and protect his teammates’ backs. Marcus’ lack of offense will help Gasol conserve energy on that end.
The bench situation is dicey for both teams. Mihm looks the best he has in a while, but he’s still hampered by a bad right foot/ankle/Achilles. If he’s not moving well enough to compete D.J. Mbenga could get the call if needed. I don’t expect Andrew Bynum (left knee) back until the second round at the earliest. Hunter is getting the call only because Nene has been slowed by a strained right groin. I doubt any of the backups play much.
Coach
Phil Jackson v George Karl – This is another old school collision, but this time I see a clear cut winner. These guys are pretty even across the board except in one area. While Karl has the edge when it comes to in game adjustments, Jackson is one of the best all time at game-to-game adjustments. Anything the Nugs have success with you can be sure won’t work in the next game.
Overall
This is going to be a fast paced, high scoring and very entertaining series. Defense might be optional at times but intensity won’t be. I expect some serious trash talking to go on too as “Team Tat” loves to bump their gums.
For Denver to have any chance they are going to have to play some defense. The reason being they can NOT outscore LA. If it turns it an up and down affair the Lakers depth will wear the Nugs out. Denver must also remember to share the ball on offense no matter the situation. Melo and especially AI must avoid the temptation to try and “take over” when things get tough. Excessive amounts of one-on-one play will not beat LA’s defense.
The plan for the Lakers is simple, execute your triangle offense and take advantage of the Nugs porous D. If LA makes three or more passes in the half court they will get layup after layup after layup. The good news for Laker fans is they are versatile enough to win an up tempo game as well.
Prediction: Enjoyable to watch but with LA in control the majority of the time. Lakers in 5.
Defensive Field Goal Percentage
Los Angeles – 44.53% (6th)
Denver – 45.65% (14th)
Rebound Differential
Los Angeles – +1.35 (8th)
Denver – -1.29 (21st)
Point Differential
Los Angeles – +7.25 (3rd)
Denver – +3.70 (11th)
Shooting
Los Angeles – 47.64% (3rd)
Denver – 46.99% (6th)
3-Point Shooting
Los Angeles – 37.8% (6th)
Denver – 35.5% (19th)
Free Throw Shooting
Los Angeles – 76.92% (10th)
Denver – 75.07% (19th)
Turnovers
Los Angeles – 14.09 (11th)
Denver – 14.67 (21st)
Fouls
Los Angeles – 20.62 (15th)
Denver – 21.11 (17th)
Pace Factor
Los Angeles – 98.0 (6th)
Denver – 102.3 (1st)
Individual Matchups
Point Guard
Derek Fisher & Jordan Farmar v Anthony Carter & Chucky Atkins – Fisher has been huge for the Lakers this season. His leadership and 3-point shooting has been key to LA’s meteoric rise, and the torn tendon in his right foot hasn’t affected his play at all. Carter is really just a place holder who makes sure the Nugs get into their offensive sets early in the first and third quarters.
The spark that Farmar brings off the pine with his athleticism, play making, finishing and shooting ability is invaluable to the Lakers success. Jordan is the perfect compliment to Derek in that he plays the game faster and is able to stay with quicker players. Atkins is still rounding back into form after missing 58 games this season. If he’s able to contribute his 3-point shooting could help.
Shooting Guard
Kobe Bryant & Sasha Vujacic v Allen Iverson & J.R. Smith – If/when Kobe and Allen are defending each other it will be must see TV. Unfortunately I don’t think Iverson will be on Bryant all that much because triple ocho will eat him alive in the mid-post. Look for Kobe to on AI down the stretch though. The story is the same for both really; when they involve their teammates consistently they have a much better chance to win.
The bench guys both are 3-point shooting specialists. The difference being that Vujacic is also a quality defender. Sasha is also an agitator which is always a nice quality in the post season. J.R. doesn’t bring much else to the table besides shooting, but if he’s on Denver is tough to beat.
Small Forward
Vladimir Radmanovic & Luke Walton v Carmelo Anthony & Linas Kleiza – When Radmanovic’s head is into the game he makes LA ultra-dangerous on offense. Besides shooting Vlad can also put it on the floor and is an underrated passer as well. That said he has ZERO chance to stop Melo. Anthony is definitely stronger that Radmanovic and he’s probably quicker too. The Lakers may have to let Melo “get his” and focus on stopping everyone else.
Linas the Menace is one of my favorite players and would probably start for a lot teams in the league. He and Smith really give the Nugs a potent bench scoring duo. Walton has been slowed by a right hamstring injury recently. Not that it’s affected his play though because he still sucks. Unfortunately I don’t expect to see Trevor Ariza (broken right foot) until the Conference Final at the earliest.
Power Forward
Lamar Odom & Ronny Turiaf v Kenyon Martin & Eduardo Najera – Odom has really settled into his niche since the arrival of Gasol. Not only is he LA’s best interior defender and rebounder, but he also shoots over 50% and can lead a fast break at 6’10. Martin is not quite the athletic finisher/rebounder he was after microfracture surgery on both knees. Nevertheless K-Mart is still an effective player and knows his role in Denver’s scheme.
The backups are almost carbon copies of each other, except Turiaf is much younger and more athletic. Najera is the better shooter with range out to deep, but Ronny is tougher around the rim and a superior shot locker. Each guy will hustle every second they are out there though.
Center
Pau Gasol & Chris Mihm v Marcus Camby & Steven Hunter – The Nugs never faced Pau this season so they’ll have to adjust to the dimension he brings to the Lakers. Fortunately for Denver Camby might be the perfect guy to defend Gasol. Marcus has the length and quickness to stay with the Spaniard everywhere on the court. However in doing this Camby will no longer be able to help off Pau and protect his teammates’ backs. Marcus’ lack of offense will help Gasol conserve energy on that end.
The bench situation is dicey for both teams. Mihm looks the best he has in a while, but he’s still hampered by a bad right foot/ankle/Achilles. If he’s not moving well enough to compete D.J. Mbenga could get the call if needed. I don’t expect Andrew Bynum (left knee) back until the second round at the earliest. Hunter is getting the call only because Nene has been slowed by a strained right groin. I doubt any of the backups play much.
Coach
Phil Jackson v George Karl – This is another old school collision, but this time I see a clear cut winner. These guys are pretty even across the board except in one area. While Karl has the edge when it comes to in game adjustments, Jackson is one of the best all time at game-to-game adjustments. Anything the Nugs have success with you can be sure won’t work in the next game.
Overall
This is going to be a fast paced, high scoring and very entertaining series. Defense might be optional at times but intensity won’t be. I expect some serious trash talking to go on too as “Team Tat” loves to bump their gums.
For Denver to have any chance they are going to have to play some defense. The reason being they can NOT outscore LA. If it turns it an up and down affair the Lakers depth will wear the Nugs out. Denver must also remember to share the ball on offense no matter the situation. Melo and especially AI must avoid the temptation to try and “take over” when things get tough. Excessive amounts of one-on-one play will not beat LA’s defense.
The plan for the Lakers is simple, execute your triangle offense and take advantage of the Nugs porous D. If LA makes three or more passes in the half court they will get layup after layup after layup. The good news for Laker fans is they are versatile enough to win an up tempo game as well.
Prediction: Enjoyable to watch but with LA in control the majority of the time. Lakers in 5.
posted by D$ at 12:04 PM
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