Got a question you want answered? E-mail it to alextangent@gmail.com and I'll have it answered as soon as possible. If you liked this article, please comment! I really need your support!
The Team I'll be covering during the NBA Beat Challenge is the Los Angeles Lakers, the only other team besides the Boston Celtics that I believe have a shot at the Championship. LeBron probably won't carry the weight this year because of his back spasms, his last games haven't been his best. The Detroit Pistons are one possibility in the NBA Finals.
Now getting to the point, the first round match-up of the Los Angeles Lakers Versus the Denver Nuggets, playing at Los Angeles' Staples' Center.
So here's my breakdown.
Why will the Lakers advance?
The Lakers, in my opinion of course, are going to advance because of their excellent offense. Locking up the #1 spot in a VERY CROWDED Western Conference is definitely not easy. New Orleans Hornets' held it for a while, but lost the top spot. Now, the Denver Nuggets is an offense team, because of their big men. Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby, who was the defensive player of the year 2006-2007. The Nuggets also have 2 of the top scorers in the NBA, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. The Nuggets also have, who I believe deserves the Sixth Man award, J.R.Smith and also Eduardo Najera. Anthony Carter, Chucky Atkins, and all the stars on the Nuggets are sure to step up their game during this incredible first-round matchup. On the other side, the Lakers have, the #1 player in the league now, so fast and lethal, Kobe Bryant, who is also the 2nd in the NBA in the category (points per game). Andrew Bynum may be returning during the first round, that is not yet confirmed. The Lakers mid-season acquired Pau Gasol will be a new gun for Kobe. Derek Fisher will once again provide that stable hand and leadership that every team needs. Sasha Vujacic will whip out the three-pointers and disappoint them, and Jordan Farmar too. Lamar Odom will become aggressive (as if he already isn't) and grab 20 boards a game during the Playoffs. Hahaha. Radmonavic may even be a key player.
If you watch NBA and watch it closely, The Lakers are not a defense team until, say 4:00 left in the fourth quarter, whether they are down or up, because they know that that's when their opponent will try to start making a run. Denver on the other hand is a defense team, armed with a defense player of the year, along with a few all-stars, Denver will be one contender.
Stats for Both Team:All Key Players:
Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant: 28.3 point per game, 6.3 rebounds per game & 5.4 assists per game
Pau Gasol: 18.9 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game along with 3.4 assists per game
Trevor Ariza :5.5 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game & 1.3 assists per game
Sasha Vujacic: 8.8 points per game, 2.10 rebounds per game & 1.0 assists per game
Jordan Farmar: 9.2 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game & 2.7 assists per game
Luke Walton: 7.2 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game & 2.9 assists per game
Didier Ilunga-Mbenga: 2.0 points per game, 1.7 rebounds per game, 0.2 assists per game
Lamar Odom: 14.2 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game along with 3.5 assists per game
Ronny Turiaf: 6.6 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game
Derek Fisher: 11.7 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game
Denver Nuggets
Marcus Camby: 9.1 points per game, 13.1 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game
Carmelo Anthony: 25.7 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game
Allen Iverson: 26.4 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 7.1 assists per game
Eduardo Najera: 5.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game
J.R.Smith: 12.3 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game
Kenyon Martin: 12.4 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game
Chucky Atkins: 4.7 points per game, 1.3 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game
Anthony Carter: 7.8 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, 5.5 assists per game
Linas Kleiza: 11.1 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game
The Denver Nuggets are the 2nd in the NBA for Most Point Scored In a Game, behind the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers and the Nuggets are also two very different types of teams, one is a defense/offense, and one is a offense team, Nuggets being the defense/offense. The inevitable thing that is bound to happen is that they will both clash. In an interview, George Karl explained he likes to put up a shot fast, by telling his players,” Inbound the ball and get up the court within 2 seconds, and try to get a shot up within 10 seconds of that.” I have provided you all the stats of players on both teams (took a while), but that’s what I love to do, provide this community with great sports coverage. Now it's up to you to decide who YOU think will get out of the first round, but I know that my troops, the Lakers will come out on top with the Championship.
comments (11) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
Yea Lakers gonna go all the way plus Kobe Pau and Lamar will definetly step up their game during the postseason Denver also is a good team but as tough as the West is this year this will be a good first round match up
5 months ago
I'm not sure you explained things clearly, you said Denver is an offensive team, then said they were a defensive team with the DPOY, and that the Lakers are an offensive/defensive team.
I think Camby is a decent defensive player because he can put up his share of blocks and rebounds, but in terms of pure defense like sliding over to cover a guy, he is not among the best. The Nuggets are capable of playing great defense when they actually try to, but the problem is they don't always put in the effort.
The Lakers are not exactly a great defensive squad either, and they are accustomed to running like the Nuggets, so I don't think they are as different as you say they are except in the realm of discipline -- where the Lakers clearly have the Nuggets beat.
from 5 months ago
thanks for commenting but if you read clearly i wrote
The Lakers and the Nuggets are also two very different types of teams, one is a defense/offense, and one is a offense team, Nuggets being the defense/offense.
which means that NUGGETS BEING THE DEFENSE/OFFENSE
WHICH MEANS THAT THE LAKERS ARE THE OFFENSE TEAM (as i had typed)
read carefully you'll understand
i thank you very much for your comment annd reading please spread the word !
from 5 months ago
I definitely agree that lakers are not a defense team, as I had typed, but as far as defense goes, nuggets are better, but yes, lakers will win. Haha.
from 5 months ago
I see what you're sayin, I assumed you were referring to the Lakers as the defensive/offensive team because I actually think the Lakers are a better defensive team than Denver. It's not necessarily because they have better defenders, but because the Laker players actually put in more effort on a nightly basis....which isn't really saying much anyway. YTou're right, the Lakers should take this series, but if Denver actually plays to their potential it might be a long series.
from 5 months ago
totally agreed. Devner should be one of the top team in the ENTIRE NBA with all the insane good players they have. haha.
5 months ago
'Denver on the other hand is a defense team'???
Are you serious?? Please tell me you are joking....saying denver is a defensive team is a joke. They are rated 29th in opposition points allowed per game. this is a joke, do some research before coming out and saying they are a defensive team.
from 5 months ago
thanks for commenting but if you read clearly i wrote
The Lakers and the Nuggets are also two very different types of teams, one is a defense/offense, and one is a offense team, Nuggets being the defense/offense.
which means that NUGGETS BEING THE DEFENSE/OFFENSE
WHICH MEANS THAT THE LAKERS ARE THE OFFENSE TEAM (as i had typed)
read carefully you'll understand
i thank you very much for your comment annd reading please spread the word !
5 months ago
Yow wrote, "Denver on the other hand is a defense team" to that means your are saying denver is a better defending team which they clearly are not.
Also,
"The Lakers are not a defense team until, say 4:00 left in the fourth quarter"
I admit the Lakers do slack off on defense. they do have quarters or sometimes half's that are terrible but they dont wait until four minutes to go to start defending.
from 5 months ago
"Nuggets being the defense/offense. "
i clearly stated that
yes lakers dont play d till later in the game when its a close game either they're up or down
5 months ago
"Nuggets being the defense/offense. "
i clearly stated that
write a new comment