NBA Playoffs Rd 1: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

[King Taharqa]

(8) Denver Nuggets vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers
vs.

(8) Denver Nuggets

PG - #25 Anthony Carter - 6'2 195
Hawaii
7.8 PPG, 5.6 APG, 35% 3-PT


SG - #3 Allen "The Answer" Iverson - 6'0 165
Georgetown '96
26.5 PPG, 7.2 APG, 2.0 SPG, 34% 3-PT


SF - #15 Carmelo Anthony - 6'8 230
Syracuse '03
25.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 35% 3-PT


PF - #4 Kenyon Martin - 6'9 240
Cincinnati '00
12.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG


C - #23 Marcus "Candyman" Camby - 6'11 235
UMASS '96
9.2 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 3.6 BPG

Bench:
PG - #0 Taurean Green
SG - #1 J.R. Smith
SF - #21 Eduardo Najera
PF - #43 Linas Kleiza
C - #45 Steven Hunter

Head Coach
George Karl


(1) Los Angeles Lakers

PG - #2 Derek Fisher - 6'1 205
Arkansas-Little Rock '96
11.7 PPG, 40.6% 3-PT


SG - #24 Kobe Bryant - 6'6 220
High School '96
28.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 36% 3-PT


SF - #7 Lamar Odom - 6'10 230
Rhode Island '99
14.2 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.6 APG


PF - #10 Vladimir Radmanovic - 6'10 234
None '01
8.4 PPG, 41% 3-PT


C - #16 Pau Gasol - 7'0 260
None '01
18.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.5 APG

Bench:
PG - #5 Jordan Farmar
SG - #18 Sasha Vujacic
SF - #4 Luke Walton
PF - #21 Ronny Turiaf
C - #28 DJ Mbenga

Head Coach
Phil Jackson

--------------------------------------------------
Everyone on this board knows I've been dragging Bean the past few years about not making it out of the 1st round. Well as much as it pains me to say it, this is the year he finally gets it done. The Lakers have greatly improved their roster this year and are playing better as a unit. They should take care of the Nuggets in 5 games.

[Lonestar13]

even with a Gasol no show and Bynum out, Melo and A.I have no answer for the games most cut-throat finisher

[bLACKpANTHER]

sorry AI.. i will be rooting for you endlessly, but it wont help.. hopefully you can win a game or two and make it interesting..

Lakers in 5

[black1605]

I think this will be closer than I originally anticipated, but Kobe will come through more than he won't. Lakers in 6.

[chabber]

Lakers in 6.

[Hawk]

that could very well be the best 8 seed the playoffs has seen in a long time....that said...Lakers in 5

[kman72]

i think the nuggs are gonna pull a huge upset!!! YEAH A.I.!!!!!!

[Hawk]

did Denver have a tat contest in their dressing room? I've never seen a team with so much ink!

[Lonestar13]

Originally Posted by Northern Hawk

did Denver have a tat contest in their dressing room? I've never seen a team with so much ink!

so did they all lose?

[King Taharqa]

Lakers cruise to easy victory

Pau Gasol put up 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists to lead the Lakers to victory. Kobe had 32 points but most of it came from the FT line as he shot horribly from the field (9-26) with Kenyon Martin guarding him most of the day (how does that happen to the supposed MVP Love To Hate Roy? ). The fact Kobe could have such an off day and the Lakers were still able to win so easily only reinforces my opinion that Chris Paul is the true MVP of the league this year. Denver plays absolutely no team D, and I think its time people start questioning whether George Karl can get this team to the next level. They've got too much talent to be getting swept out of the 1st round every year.

[Kevin Greene]

[love to hate roy]

Originally Posted by King Taharqa

(how does that happen to the supposed MVP Love To Hate Roy? ).

I just saw this little jab....

All I can say is that I REALLY hope the Lakers and Hornets get matched up somehow. And with the MVP talk, like I've said before the main reason people were saying CP3 should get it is because his team was #1 in the west, which is where the Lakers finished. Kobe's stats are better, his team is better, and he can take over a game whenever he feels like it. Not to mention his "in the clutch" abilities. When are they announcing the MVP? I'm ready to say I told you so, haha...

[J-Vic]

I'll be 12 rows off the floor for tonights game. Hope Denver makes it competitive.

[love to hate roy]

Originally Posted by J-Vic

I'll be 12 rows off the floor for tonights game. Hope Denver makes it competitive.

Please report back and inform King T why Kobe is the best in the league. Thanks.

[J-Vic]

You can make a great argument for either Paul or Bryant. And you cant make a good argument against either Paul or Bryant.

Kobe is the better player - but the MVP isnt given to the best player.

[X-Clown]

Originally Posted by love to hate roy

Kobe's stats are better, his team is better, and he can take over a game whenever he feels like it. Not to mention his "in the clutch" abilities.

Statswise, Kobe isn't any better. Kobe gets more points, rebounds, and blocks per game, but Paul has better averages on assists, steals, a better field goal, three point, AND free throw percentage, and manages to have less turnovers a game despite playing point guard. Paul also didn't sulk at any point of the season like Kobe did through the first few weeks. Not to mention that the Lakers are coached by a guy who has 9 rings so one would think they should hav