Nuggets-Hornets: A Series in the Present, Stacked with History

J.R. Smith and Chris Andersen are completely different basketball players, and likely people also, although their pasts are eerily similar. One was once young, irresponsible, and in trouble, the other was too.

Not long ago the two Denverites were living in New Orleans, playing a game that seemed just like the city, "Big (and) Easy."

Much to both their surprise, the NBA may make a person "big," with a huge salary and the stardom that comes from playing in the national spotlight, but it doesn't necessarily make life "easy."

J.R. Smith was originally taken in the first round (18th overall) by the Hornets straight out of St. Benedict's Preparatory School, after he was named the MVP of the McDonald's All-American game in 2004. 

Smith then played for two seasons with New Orleans, both were up-and-down efforts.

As a rookie, J.R. played in all but six games, and was held out of five as coach's decisions. He started for more than half the season, 56 games, and averaged over 10 points per game.

In his second year, Smith found it hard to stay out of head coach Byron Scott's doghouse, the two constantly arguing with one another.

J.R. was subsequently held out of 20 games in 2005-06, and was eventually traded at the end of the season to Chicago. The Bulls then traded him to Denver for Howard Eisley and two 2007 second-round picks.

Since arriving in Denver, Smith has flourished on the court, even when his ego and mouth still was getting him in trouble.

J.R. had immediate increases in his stats across the board, most glaring was his points at 13 per game, up almost double from the previous season.

Though, in his second season with the Nuggets (2006-07), and first playoff experience, he played badly and got into a dispute with head coach George Karl during the playoff loss to the LA Clippers.

Subsequently, Smith was suspended for the first three games of the 2007-08 season, and was subject of trade rumors.

In the offseason following his arguments with Karl, Smith acted immaturely again by getting into an automobile accident while driving with friend Andre Bell.

Both Smith and Bell were thrown from the car, J.R. only suffered minor injuries but Bell was not as lucky, stricken with numerous head injuries and died a few days later.

Smith said he grew from the experience and would act in a more mature way.

This season has by far been J.R. Smith's best as an NBA player, although it has not been smooth sailing throughout.

Again at the start of this season, Karl and Smith were not on good standing, as Karl said the two "were not on speaking terms".

Smith has played more under control this season than in past years though, shooting less from 30 feet, and more from 23 feet nine inches, the distance of the three-point line.

He has averaged career bests in 2008-09 with 15.2 points, 2.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. Also, his defensive efforts have grown and Karl even started him 18 games this year, after getting zero starts last season.

His best game came against Sacramento on April 13 as he had a career high 45 points, and a Nuggets record 11 three-pointers in the contest.

Like Smith, Chris Andersen played with New Orleans, only he came back to Denver, the team he began his NBA career with.

Andersen played for three years with the Nuggets to begin his career, averaging around four points per game, and was a good backup to veteran Marcus Camby. In 2004, he signed with the Hornets as a free agent.

Andersen could not stay out of trouble though, as in 2006 he was suspended for two years for his fourth positive drug test, the first three were for marijuana but allegedly he was on cocaine for his fourth positive.

Many thought the young center was done in the NBA, and likely his life was over as well.

Chris "Birdman" Andersen though kept practicing, and kept himself in playing shape, and was resigned by New Orleans in 2008, then released by the team in the off season.

The Nuggets, Andersen's only other team, had a great interest in the lanky, long, and skinny defensive specialist, particularly after the team dumped expensive big-man Camby.

Some, including myself, were skeptical about what the Birdman could bring to the Nuggets, and if he could even make it up and down the floor anymore.

What Andersen has shown this season has been nothing short of spectacular, forcing critics to eat lots of crow.

Again, like Smith, Birdman has had a career year in 2008-09 for Denver, a huge force off their bench all season.

He has played great, averaging 6.4 points, and 6.2 rebounds, but his brilliant stat has been blocked shots, and with 2.5 per game was second in the league in the category. All that and the man only averages 20 minutes per game!

Andersen is the hustling man's hustler, in continuous motion, running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. He gets in great position on defense, dives for loose balls, and can even still throw down an alley-oop when he gets a chance.

All in all, what makes this Nuggets team the best in 25 years has been their depth, and Smith and Andersen have been the chief factors why.

J.R. Smith goes by "Instant Offense" and can score from seemingly anywhere on the court. He can pull up for three, or blow past defenders to dunk hard on someone.

Birdman Andersen is amazing on defense, seeming to always be around the ball and effecting shots when he's not blocking them.

The two complement each other well, and at times the backup squad outplays the starters because of Smith and Andersen.

No matter what happens, Smith and Birdman will be huge in this series, especially as they both have chips on their shoulder concerning being let go or traded by the Hornets.

Look for Smith to drain some key three-pointers, throwing up three fingers on each hand as he usually does, yelling at Byron Scott, and putting a smile on George Karl's face.

Andersen will be all over the court as he routinely is, and will block many shots in the series, acting as a dominant force on defense.

The Denver Nuggets will win this series, and much of the reason they are a better team than New Orleans overall is their depth.

The Hornets starters will be run down, as the Nuggets will have fresh legs on the court much of the games.

Thanks to Smith and Andersen, Denver will break it's playoff-winning drought, getting a victory for the first time in the 'Melo era, and first playoff series win in a decade in a half.