Playoff Preview: Lakers Roster
In the beginning of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers were at the center of trade rumors involving a then-disgruntled Kobe Bryant, who was frustrated that his Lakers team failed to win a playoff series for the third straight season. With possible trade scenarios being hyped and deals falling through, the Los Angeles Lakers made no drastic changes, except for a trade that sent Brian Cook to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Trevor Ariza. Then came the trade that shook the NBA world at midseason – seven-foot big man Pau Gasol joined the Lakers via a steal – er, deal – for former top-draft-pick Kwame Brown. With Andrew Bynum sidelined with an injury, Gasol helped to bolster the LA Lakers’ frontcourt alongside Lamar Odom.
Playoff Preview: Lakers Season
With all the trade rumors flying, the Los Angeles Lakers were under the spotlight more so than ever, winning just nine of their first 17 games of the season. Then, the Los Angeles Lakers watched big man Andrew Bynum blossom, turning in a solid 13 points, 10 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ first 35 games. However, after Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm went down with injuries, it seemed that the Los Angeles Lakers would head to the lottery. Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers brought in big man Pau Gasol in a monster of a midseason trade to fill the void left by Andrew Bynum while providing another scoring option alongside Kobe Bryant. Since the trade, the Los Angeles Lakers have been jockeying for the top spot in both the Pacific Division and in the Western Conference at large.
While the Los Angeles Lakers have hit highs and lows all season long, Kobe Bryant (playing with an injured pinkie finger) is having an MVP-caliber year – helping to make his teammates better all whilst putting up gaudy stats (28 PPG, 6 RPG, 5 AST). Spearheaded by Kobe Bryant’s heroic offense and defensive efforts to boot, the Los Angeles Lakers rallied their way up to the top of the Western Conference and battled with the likes of the New Orleans Hornets and the San Antonio Spurs for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. With a 57-25 record at season’s end, the Los Angeles Lakers locked up the top spot heading into the NBA playoffs and will face Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and the No. 8 seed Denver Nuggets.
Playoff Preview: Nuggets Roster
Last season, the Denver Nuggets brought in veteran point guard and All-Star Allen Iverson to form a formidable scoring tandem with Carmelo Anthony and finished with a 45-37 showing in the Northwest Division. This season, the Denver Nuggets had no problem scoring with A.I. and Melo on board and owed what little defense they play to former Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Camby. Check out the Denver Nuggets depth chart:
Playoff Preview: Nuggets Season
Last season, the Denver Nuggets’ team chemistry didn’t mesh in time for the playoffs, where the No. 6 Denver Nuggets fell to the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the first round. This season, the Denver Nuggets had an entire season for Carmelo and Allen Iverson to “mesh” and – in the latter stages of the season – that chemistry helped the Denver Nuggets streak into the playoff picture in a tight Western Conference. In the last weeks of the regular season, the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and the Golden State Warriors were still battling for the final two playoff spots. The Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets both took care of business down the stretch as the Denver Nuggets claimed the No. 8 seed on the last day of the season. The Denver Nuggets also finished with a 50-32 record – the Denver Nuggets’ first 50-win season since 1988. Now the Denver Nuggets must face the No. 1 seed Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
Playoff Preview: Head-to-Head
The Los Angeles Lakers are 3-0 in the season series against the Denver Nuggets, despite allowing Allen Iverson to go off for 51 points during one of those wins. While the Los Angeles Lakers have had to face the Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and the rest of the Phoenix Suns for the past two seasons in the playoffs, the Denver Nuggets are sure to give the Los Angeles Lakers a different look with Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and Marcus Camby leading the charge. Carmelo Anthony is one of the toughest players to guard, so expect Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, and Vladimir Radmanovic to rotate defensive duties on Melo. Iverson’s quickness and explosiveness will also be a tough match up for the Lakers.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers should win this playoff series if Kobe Bryant and his team can continue their regular-season magic, trust, and chemistry. Something has to be said for the Los Angeles Lakers who came away as the No. 1 seed in a Western Conference that’s stacked beyond belief. Moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher in particular – have had experience winning in the playoffs. On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets have lost in the first round of the playoffs four years running – in five games each time.
Playoff Preview: Schedule
The Los Angeles Lakers have earned every bit of their home-court advantage in the playoffs. At home inside the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers have tallied a 30-11 record. The Denver Nuggets, who are opening the playoffs on the road, posted a 17-24 record away from the Pepsi Center. The Los Angeles Lakers shouldn’t have a problem winning on the road, seeing that the Lakers boast one of the best road records in the league at 27-14.
| Event Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA Sun, Nov. 22, 2009 6:30 PM |  |
| Los Angeles, CA Tue, Nov. 24, 2009 7:30 PM | |
| Oakland, CA Sat, Nov. 28, 2009 7:30 PM | |
| Los Angeles, CA Sun, Nov. 29, 2009 6:30 PM | |
| Los Angeles, CA Tue, Dec. 1, 2009 7:30 PM | |
| Los Angeles, CA Fri, Dec. 4, 2009 7:30 PM | |
| Los Angeles, CA Sun, Dec. 6, 2009 6:30 PM | |
| Los Angeles, CA Wed, Dec. 9, 2009 7:30 PM | |
| Los Angeles, CA Fri, Dec. 11, 2009 7:30 PM | |
| Salt Lake City, UT Sat, Dec. 12, 2009 7:00 PM | |
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