Nuggets' Determined Defensive Efforts Good Sign For Coming Playoffs

Sunday night's win against the Minnesota Timberwolves saw a strong performance from the hottest team in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets, who have now won seven straight games.

Not only was the game a dominant offensive performance, but also on defense, where the Nuggets only allowed 87 points, on 41 percent shooting by the T'Wolves.

Denver was demonstrative on defense, out rebounding Minnesota by 11, blocking four shots, and stealing the ball eight times.

This game was an exemplary example of how well the Nuggets can play defensively, which can lead them to easier wins overall.

Admittedly the T'Wolves are a sorry team, 24 games out of the playoffs, but the Nuggets have played hard-working defense game-in and game-out this season, a good sign as we come into the crunch time.

Indeed, "an overall commitment to defense," something head coach George Karl promised before the season, has been brought to the Mile High city in 2009.

Certainly there is a difference this season, as the Nuggets give up 100.75 points per game, compared to the 107 they allowed last year.

Another change from last season is a defensive-minded guard starting for Denver, in Dahntay Jones. He regularly starts games and second-halves due to his high defensive intensity and great man-to-man play.

Jones is the Nuggets' best defending guard, usually matching up with the opponents best scorer, and has shown he is more than capable of doing so.

Look for him to play against Ronnie Brewer of the Jazz, or Antoine Wright of the Mavericks, neither big scorers, and either should be contained relatively easily by Jones.

That is of course if the standings stay similar to where they are now.

Like Jones, Kenyon Martin is a starter that can play solid defense.

He is physical and strong against opposing power forwards, and uses his quick hands to often swipe away steals.

K-Mart is all over the floor on the defensive end, guarding the likes of Kobe Bryant one game, to Tim Duncan the next.

Martin will likely be matching up against Utah's Carlos Boozer, or Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki. Both players are very talented, and K-Mart's play will be essential to the Nuggets' hopes of moving past the first round in the playoffs.

Chauncey Billups is a man to be reckoned with when it comes to defense, as he commits to playing hard every game.

His size at 6' 4" makes him one of the biggest point guards in the NBA, and he leads by example, getting all Denver players to put energy into defense.

Billups has a tough assignment seemingly every night in the NBA, and will play against Deron Williams of Utah, or Jason Kidd of Dallas if the Nuggets draw one of those opponents in the first round.

Both are accomplished passers, and Williams can score well too, averaging 19.2 points per game.

Other players contribute to the overall defensive improvement as well, including Anthony Carter, and Chris Andersen.

Carter, the veteran backup point guard, can be seen stealing passes night-in, night-out, and playing solid defense. George Karl believes Carter is Denver's "best perimeter defender."

Chris "The Birdman" Andersen has been huge to the Nuggets this season. He is second in the league in blocks, while only playing 20 minutes a game off the bench.

When he is not blocking shots, he is effecting them, forcing opposing players to alter shooting paths, ultimately missing them.

Also, the entire team's energy goes up when "Birdman" is in, as he runs, dives for balls, and gives everything.

Undoubtedly, the Nuggets' depth has led them to the top of the Western Conference, as the only team besides the Lakers to surpass 50 wins to this point.

Players like Carter, Andersen, and J.R. Smith, who's nickname is "Instant Offense" for a good reason, all bring ferocity, energy, and a desire to play hard.

This year, as opposed to other recent playoff busts, all of the starters have a more-than-capable backup ready to come in when they need rest.

The Nuggets are no longer just a team with a great starting five, that loses leads when starters rest. Now, the backup squad is so efficient it out-plays the starting unit some nights.

The general depth of Denver has gotten the Nuggets to this point, and will help carry them through the playoffs. Denver is confident, playing well, and not too many teams will want to face them as the playoffs begin.

Look for Denver to finally move past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in the Carmelo Anthony era.

This team could actually make a deep run in the playoffs in 2009, and would match up well with the LA Lakers for the Western Conference Championship.

In the end though, Denver would be losing out in height to LA, and would most likely lose to the West's most dominant team this season.

All in all, winning a series or two will be a great experience for young players like Anthony, Nene, Smith, and Kleiza, among others.

It will also point to the fact that the Nuggets have found something worthwhile in this particular team, clearly getting the better end of the biggest trade of the year.

Chauncey Billups has brought leadership, humility, and a winning attitude to altitude. Billups should be among Kobe, LeBron, and Dwayne Wade in MVP talks, but instead is ignored.

He is the chief reason the Nuggets have rocketed to the top of this extremely competitive West, and why Denver will open many eyes across the nation in the playoffs.