Denver vs. Lakers playoffs -- then and now

Any seven-game series is a match-up of adjustments. Each team needs to find weak spots to use to attack their opponent. And each team needs to fix problems in its own offensive game plan and defensive schemes. In last night's game the Nuggets were more patient when they had the ball and didn’t go with the quick jump shot. The Lakers were more patient with their offense and got their shots from areas that were not available to them in Game 1.

Denver played a zone much of the time and that limited the effectiveness of Pau Gasol. But Pau got enough done to hold down his job. The effective shooting of Kobe Bryant was the key factor that was crucial to the Lakers success. I’ve heard Charles Barkley describe Kobe as a “fast car” when you need to get somewhere in a hurry. He was all of that in this game. He shot 18 for 27 from the field, including 5 of 9 three pointers. Pau and Luke Walton provided offensive support scoring 18 points apiece. Denver was successful for awhile by crashing the offensive boards for second shots, and the Nuggets out-rebounded the Lakers 45 to 41.

The Lakers passing is still a dominant factor in this matchup, and again they shared the ball for 33 assists (a great Lakers number!). The only disappointment for the Lakers was the ineffective play of Lamar Odom, who scored only four points with four rebounds and six assists. But Lamar won’t be down for long. You can expect him to come back strong in the following game. The Lakers will have their work cut out for them in Denver and this series could be a long one, but I think Kobe will be the decisive factor. Today’s Nuggets run and gun also, but they will need to slow the Lakers with effective defense. Marcus Camby is an effective shot blocker but hasn’t been a dominant force in the paint on a regular basis. Pau Gasol is a real problem for the Nuggets to contend with if they want to focus their defense on stopping Kobe. Needless to say, I think this will be an interesting series.

I remember back in ’79 when the Lakers beat the Nuggets 2 to 1 against the team led by David Thompson. Anytime a professional team must play in Denver there must be an allowance made for the altitude, which is over 5,000 feet. That has a major impact on the stamina of teams that train at sea level. It takes a week or so to acclimate to the additional altitude, which has a dramatic effect on an athlete’s heart and lungs. This is a serious home court advantage and it has led to some major misjudgments by anyone trying to assess the Nuggets' chances. But, Denver has had some great athletes compete for them. Thompson, Fat Lever, Alex English, Calvin Natt and Dan Issell come to mind. And of course three-point threat Michael Adams. In those days, Denver played an up-tempo game to take advantage of their quick, mobile shooters, who would score score score. I remember a scoring title race one year when David Thompson and George Gervin vied for the scoring title to the last game of the regular season. David scored 60-something, if I remember correctly, to take the lead. George Gervin then scored 75 or so to clinch the title later the same day. I am looking forward to see which players emerge as this generation's leaders.

(Photo credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Comments

[fred warrick]

good luck to the players and staff

this squad has become interesting to watch, with a lot of sub-plots as the season wore on

the return of Fisher to calm the backcourt
the development also of Farmar and Vujacic, the energy of Turiaf
the development of Bynum - then his injury possibly derailing the team

the acquisition of Gasol

plenty to study, digest and hopefully watch in the upcoming rounds

[Swoop]

Regardless of the altitude I still say the Lakers will Sweep. Nuggets just don't have heart.

[rashad]

Kareem,
If you had to fix the Nuggets what would you do? They have the talent to win it all, but clearly they are falling short.

[Victor Hudson]

Hello Kareem,

Many thanks for the great recap of last night's game and also for the glimpse inside the game from a professional basis. I hope you continue with these little nugggets of insight through out the playoffs. I am one of your millions of fans who has one of your autographs books when I met you in San Francicso, many yrs ago at a local bookstore.

Namasté
Victor

[Glenna Matthews]

Dear Kareem:

For years, I showed off to male friends by claiming to know the identity of your fellow players on the 1965 freshman team. I was certain about guards Kenny Heitz and Lucius Allen and forward Lynn Shackelford (with a great corner shot) and took a guess at Mike Lynn as the other forward. Recently someone challenged me about Lynn. Who was the fifth starter? Thanks, Glenna Matthews p.s. I've remembered as much as I have, because you and your teammates were so thrilling, and I watched as many games on TV as I could.

[fred warrick]

it's always seemed as if every year's NBA playoffs, in fact every series, has subplots and side stories. maybe that's what makes them compelling, even though they seem to drag on occasionally.

this series contains more potential focal points than most...

the Lakers this year have the development of the bench players into a very productive unit, the growth of Bynum under your tutelage, his subsequent injury which could have derailed the season, and the blockbuster trade for Gasol - a big man who fits perfectly into Phil's offense.

the Nuggets have a cancer survivor, a DUI, a high schooler growing up(JR Smith) and a coach versus son with the Karl's

[Clay]

Well, I'll just add my praise to the many who have written before me for this wonderful blog. Your book "Giant Steps" with Peter Knobler remains one of the very bests sports biographies ever.

A clarificaiton: Thompson took the lead in the scoring race by scoring 73 points on the last day of the season in 1978 (not 1979). Gervin knew he had to get at least 61 points to take the scoring title. He got 63.

The scoring title was still a pretty big deal in the 1970's. It is not nearly so much now.

[phil]

Great comments on your ESPN interivew. I had an opportunity to see the Celtics play on a regular basis during the Russell- Cousey-Heinson-Sharman-Luscatoff era....my dad had season's tickets.
Nothing like watching the St. Louis Hawks & Bob Petit, & Hal Greer, Dolph Schayes, Wit Chamberlain, etc.
Saw one of the highest scoring games in the NBA at the time. I believe it was a day game against Minneapolis.
Tell Andrew I hope he's feeling better, and I wish him & the Lakers all the best....Be patient, & enjoy... it's his time.

[Jon K.]

Kareem,

You've studied Kung-Fu and Chinese medicine (as I have for 20+ years.) Will you do me a HUGE favor and drive down to Chinatown (or call up a skilled Chinese herbalist) and buy Andrew Bynum a quality bottle of Dit Da Jow (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dit_Da_Jow) for his knee? Please?

The Chinese herbal liniment is made for injuries like Trevor Ariza's and Andrew Bynum's. My martial arts master broke his foot (and this was a 65 year old man we're talking about) and he put Dit Da Jow on his foot three times a day for nine days and it was perfectly healed. This is the same injury that it took Trevor Ariza months to heal.

The stuff is made to accelerate healing of bone, increase circulation, decrease swelling, and strengthen ligaments and tendons. The stuff smells a little funky, but there's no side effects and there's nothing illegal about it.

I and various masters I've learned under have used this stuff and I can personally attest to its effectiveness in accelerating healing of injuries like Ariza's and Bynum's.

Please. Please. Please. Please. Please, look into it. I just want to help.

There are varying qualities of Dit Da Jow out there, but if you can find a master herbalist (and there are dozens available in Chinatown and Monterey Park), you'll be able to get some top quality liniment that will truly be helpful.

Please at least give me the courtesy of looking into it. I honestly believe it will a great help to Andrew Bynum.