Hold off on those "BEAT L.A." chants (for now)...

by Andrew Feinstein on May 15, 2009 1:16 AM MDT

One thing I forgot to mention in yesterday's column commending Nuggets fans for sticking with this organization for so long was how truly classy the fans were at Pepsi Center on Wednesday night.

Not only were there no incidents in the stands (other than the usual drunk idiot escorted out by security, but I didn't see anything), but when Jason Kidd went down hard and then recovered after attempting to foul Kenyon Martin in the fourth quarter, the fans gave him a well deserved standing ovation. And after the game was completely over and the Mavericks exited the Pepsi Center floor for the last time this season, the fans stood and cheered them on. Especially Dirk Nowitzki, who received the biggest ovation of them all as he walked off last and waved to the crowd.

But before that game was over, around the two minutes remaining mark, the Pepsi Center crowd erupted into a deafening "Beat L.A." chant. Thanks to another great home effort by the scrappy, left-for-dead Houston Rockets in Game 6, we'll have to sit on those "Beat L.A." chants for a few more days and may - may - not be able to deploy them at all.

I must confess that I didn't watch tonight's action as I was flying back to LA from Denver, assuming I'd be seeing the Nuggets face off against the Lakers at Staples Center on Sunday. Right before my plane took off, I checked the game score and saw that it was already 21-5 in favor of the Rockets. I did a double take. This had to be a technical glitch and the server was reposting the Game 4 score, I thought. Right before the stewardess asked me to turn off my phone, I refreshed the browser and saw that the score was now 23-9. Wow. It was happening again. Another unnecessary Lakers implosion at the hands of the Rockets.

With a second of allotted cell phone time left before take off, I sent my Benedict Arnold Lakers fan of a brother a text reading: "lakers suck - I expect them to lose and be tired for the nuggs series when i get off this plane".

And when I landed, there it was: Rockets 95, Lakers 80. Wow again.

Like most of you reading this, I still think the Lakers are winning on Sunday. But these Lakers should be ashamed of themselves. In fact, I sent this email to my Lakers fan friends tonight...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Andrew Feinstein
Date: Thu, May 14, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Subject: It must be nice...

...to play a team in the second round of the playoffs missing two of its three best players and starting a "center" who's generously listed at 6'6". I wish my Nuggets could have had such an easy ride to the Western Conference Finals. I guess we're just not that lucky...

-A

(If you're curious as to why I'm already talking trash to Lakers fans, it's because I adhere to the rule that my former boss and good friend Greg taught me long ago: It's better to talk trash and lose than to have never talked trash at all.)

So how do we in Nuggets Nation feel about this? Do we want the undersized, undermanned Rockets and the guarantee of home court advantage that comes with that? Or do we want the Lakers, the franchise that has devoured our and every other small market's playoff hopes so many times before? (I know who the NBA wants to see in that conference finals.)

What I love most about the NBA's seven game playoff format is that the better team always wins. Maybe one team gets really hot for a game or two, but out of seven games the superior squad prevails every time. So if the Rockets somehow beat the Lakers on Sunday, it won't be a fluke in my book.

That being said, I want the Rockets to win on Sunday. As much as I'd love to see a Nuggets/Lakers showdown, I'm a Nuggets fan first and an NBA fan second. I want the Nuggets to get to their first NBA Finals and any objective observer has to know that a matchup against the Rockets gives the Nuggets their best opportunity to do so.

But at the end of the day, the Nuggets might be in a win-win situation here. If the Lakers win Sunday as expected, they'll be exhausted and the Nuggets could steal Game 1 (due to be played Tuesday in LA, I believe), setting them up to take the series in six. And if the Rockets win, start saving your money for NBA Finals tickets, because that's exactly where the Nuggets will be in June.

Dare I say; Go Rockets?!!

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Comments

Thought this video nba.com put up today was pretty sweet and worth sharing.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2009/05/14/nba_20090514_den_playoffs_top10.nba/

by Anonymous on May 15, 2009 1:21 AM MDT reply actions

I'm a Raiders fan from back in the day. When the Steelers talked that "We didn't have Franco or Rocky Blier" shit, I was pissed. Cuz we beat them with both playing the first game of the season. But they forgot that.

In that spirit, I want the Lakers. I think (hope) they will be focused and I think we can beat them.

But the last thing I want to hear when the Nugs make it to the Finals is that we didn't beat the Lakers at their best to get there.

by DeAngelo Starnes on May 15, 2009 1:28 AM MDT reply actions

I think the "Beat L.A." chants that I was a part of were just warm wishes to Houston fans!!

-Gimosabi

by Anonymous on May 15, 2009 1:53 AM MDT reply actions

How interesting... I'm now of the opinion that the Lakers have some real issues and look uninspired. If they took care of business in Game 6 at Houston, I thought the best our Nuggets could do would be to win 2, with LA taking the series in 6. Now, I think we can beat the Lakers. However, I think that we'd need to win one of the first two in LA and seal the deal in a Game 6, because I'm not sure we could win a Game 7 in LA. I see this series as a toss up now, with the Nuggets having a real chance. I really really hope GK is using this time to devise some mastermind plan to get the job done.

That said, of course I'd like us to face Houston. With home court advantage and Houston's missing pieces, I think we'd make it to the Finals, maybe even in 5 games again... I am not convinced that Houston's 3 -1 record against us in the regular season is relevant.

Either way, I hope the rest is good. I hope all the players get together, have a BBQ, and watch Game 7 together. I hope the coaches are getting ready. WCFs here we come!!

by Bee on May 15, 2009 8:04 AM MDT reply actions

I don't know, I think the NBA might be secretly thrilled with a Denver Cleveland final. Not just Melo v LaBron, how about Nene v Verajao? I'm certain Stern sees Brazil as a huge growth market. There's a reason you can read the Nuggets website in Portuguese. And houston would still be a big ticket in china even with Yao on the sidelines.

Yes Nike has invested a huge amount in their puppet stars, but Melo has a Nike shoe, too, and his tale of redemption could prove marketable in it's own way.

Anyway, I don't care who we play. If we play with even half the heart the Rockets are showing, we'll get to the finals. I'm just happy Scola has been able to show again what kind of baller he is. I think he's better than Manu - his game is far more pleasing to watch, that's for sure.

by jakester on May 15, 2009 8:12 AM MDT reply actions

Jakester,

His game might be pleasing if he washed his hair once a month or so. He'd score on me because I'd be afraid of getting too close to that hair.

If nothing else, the Rockets are giving Denver the blueprint to beat the Lakers. The rockets have a significant size problem and are still winning. Hopefully Billups is practicing his pick and roll with Nene and Anthony. Also, Billups should be practicing his post up moves if Houston wins.

Go Houston. Would love to see Denver with home court. Those puppet commercials, especially the one with the chalk, are pretty funny, but also arrogant. They are assuming that will be the finals matchup, and that should irritate every other team. It would be great if neither L.A. or Cleveland make the final.

by KarlSucks on May 15, 2009 8:23 AM MDT reply actions

the question is, what would be better for the Nuggets? LA or Houston? The answer has to be LA. We have had so much difficulty with the Lakers that a WCF win would both gear the Nuggets up and increase their confidence.

I have this belief that if a football team at 4th and 2, cannot rush for 2 yards to win the game that they don't deserve to win the game. In the same vein if we cannot take out out nemesis with them holding home court, then we don't deserve to go to the finals.

Taking in to consideration all the disrespect the Nuggets received this year, a win against the Lakers would shut up the naysayers once and for all. However, if we lose, they will have the last word, and the word will be something like - "fluke."

Sometimes the harder road - is the best road. We beat Los Angeles and there will be absolutely no doubt that we can be the NBA Champions.

No doubt.

by SpokenWar on May 15, 2009 8:35 AM MDT reply actions

We have no shot at beating the Lakers. We need the Rockets to win!

by AndyFeinberg on May 15, 2009 9:06 AM MDT reply actions

Did you see the mention of firegeorgekarl.com in the USAToday article about Karl and the Nugs. You even got a shout out from Melo.

The Rocket's are a nice story but they have no shot against the Lakers at home. Let's hope they make them nice and tired though.

Good stuff.

by Pusherman on May 15, 2009 9:12 AM MDT reply actions

Not only were there no incidents in the stands
That is a lie. There were four fans who were doused with beer and security had to move them to other seats. Other papers reported it, why didn't you. This reporter did not do his/her job.

by Anonymous on May 15, 2009 9:20 AM MDT reply actions

Totally disagree Andy. Totally. I understand your pessimism, but have you been watching the Lakers lately? Why do you think we don't have a shot?

by Bee on May 15, 2009 9:25 AM MDT reply actions

Pusherman - do you have a link to that article?

by Anonymous on May 15, 2009 9:28 AM MDT reply actions

Thanks for the link Andrew... Also, I was responding to "AndyFeinberg" who posted in this thread (not you). He says "we have no shot at beating the lakers." I disagree with that.

by Bee on May 15, 2009 9:39 AM MDT reply actions

@Bee -

I realized that after I commented, and took down my comment but forgot to leave up the link. Here it is again for everyone...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/nuggets/2009-05-14-george-karl-title_N.htm

by Andrew on May 15, 2009 9:44 AM MDT reply actions

Dare Dare

by Matt on May 15, 2009 9:46 AM MDT reply actions

When I was at game 5 of the first round and the chants of "We want Dallas" started, I smiled and joined in. At game 5 of the second round series, hearing the chants of "Beat L.A." (actually, a weak wave of "We want Kobe" started before that) made me wince a little.

But after last night's Rockets-Lakers game, I'm convinced anything can happen - even beating the Lakers.

Win or lose, I'm hoping the Rockets send Sunday's game into triple overtime, so whichever team we get Tuesday is gassed.

by JTR on May 15, 2009 9:50 AM MDT reply actions

Fly Frontier and you could have watched the game....

by Vanilla Gorilla on May 15, 2009 9:53 AM MDT reply actions

Well, Anon, this is a blog. I don't think there are any reporters on staff here.

Moving on, I'm with DeAngelo. I don't want to hear anyone saying that the Nuggets didn't face the Lakers to make it to the Finals, or even that the Lakers weren't at their best if we beat them.

It's almost a lose-lose situation here.

- Play the Lakers and lose: no respect.
- Play the Lakers and win: no respect, because LA wasn't at their best.
- Play the Rockets and win: no respect because we didn't beat the Lakers to get to the Finals.
- Play the Rockets and lose: I don't even want to think about it.

We're like the Rodney Dangerfield of NBA teams.

Bottom line is that I think we NEED to beat the Lakers to get to the Finals. It would be so sweet, considering that they swept us in the first round last year. Talk about redemption!

I don't think that Houston will beat LA on Sunday. But I do honestly believe that we can win the series, especially with the way we've been playing. Yesterday KarlSucks mentioned that the regular series record with the Lakers is misleading because of personnel and injuries. Also, we're a whole new team in the playoffs. And so, it seems, are the Lakers.

I stand by my comment yesterday. The NBA's dream matchup this season should be Cleveland/Denver. I read something about only people in certain cities don't want it to be Cleveland/LA, but I think the only people who do want to see LA are Laker fans. The Nuggets have a better story and a better team.

Bring it on.

GO NUGGETS!

by Do We Have Any Plays? on May 15, 2009 10:31 AM MDT reply actions

Hey Andrew, I hope you purchased KeepGeorge.com

by Do We Have Any Plays? on May 15, 2009 10:35 AM MDT reply actions

I'll be happy with either team. At the end of the day, I care the most about advancing, therefore I want Houston to win. If we end up with LA, we have the chance to enhance our prestige if we are able to move on, and therefore that would a sweeter outcome, albeit a riskier one.

I disagree that a path to the finals that involves beating LA would not garner the respect that it should have if they weren't struggling against Houston. If we come out like we did against NO and play tough, shut-down defense while demonstrating our offensive prowess, the national media will run away with the story.

I can't wait for Sunday to see who and when we play. Is this for real?

by parce on May 15, 2009 12:01 PM MDT reply actions

@ Do We Have Any Plays?

KeepGeorge.com? How about anotheryearwithchauncey.com? he already has bringbirdmanback.com. We could do melomatured.com. kmartisback.com, jrsmithplaysdefense.com or jrswishplayftwinsteadofstats.com, neneisapowerhorse.com. If we want another blog to inspire the team with something we need to happen we could always go with benchkleizaandgivebalkmansomeminutes.com as well.

There are so many reasons we are playing so well right now, and I get excited about each one of them. It's amazing to watch a team come together like this. Hopefully we can keep it up.

Mordecai

by Anonymous on May 15, 2009 1:35 PM MDT reply actions

RE anonymous post: Thought this video nba.com put up today was pretty sweet and worth sharing.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2009/05/14/nba_20090514_den_playoffs_top10.nba/
============================
I was surprised that the Swish-to-Carter-to-Swish-behind-the-back-to-Melo-Jam from Denver-Mavs game 1 wasn't a top 10 moment in the NBA eyes.

I was even more surprised that Melo's winning trey from game 3 was picked number one. Not that it wasn't worthy - it was - but I'm surprised the NBA wanted to feature a play they say their refs hosed.

by JTR on May 15, 2009 3:00 PM MDT reply actions

Mordecai - Funny stuff.

benchkleizaandgivebalkmansomeminutes.com

I've been trying to figure this whole thing out regarding LK vs Balkman. I'm trying to understand what GK is thinking.

Does anyone think LK is getting the time because Karl is convinced he would be more of an asset against the Lakers? I just looked back through last year's playoffs, and remembered that LK was moved into the starting lineup for games 2 - 4. After a quick newspaper search to remind me of exactly why, it was to get more height. But, LK performed well. He missed a double-double in games 2 and 3 by 1 and then 2 rebounds. He fizzled out in game 4, but performed well in the series, averaging 14 pts. Could this be why GK stuck by LK when Bird got sick? Trying to get him ready for the Lakers?

And what would have to happen to get Balkman minutes? George Karl has to be seeing that Houston's "little" bigs have been doing a nice job against LA. Maybe Balkman could contribute??

I'm open to any theories... but really can't figure this rotation issue out (the same exact way I can't really figure out the rotation with AC and Billups in at the same time with JR normally riding the pine).

by Bee on May 15, 2009 4:24 PM MDT reply actions

Anon the 4 dallas fans that got "Beered" actually didnt get beered. i was sitting in the next section and saw the whole thing. One of them dumped a bottle of water over the other one's head. Then that one got up and started screaming for the usher. when security and ushers got there he said that thepeeps behind them dumped their beers on on him . next everyone around them told security what really happened. The security guard smelled his shirt....it didnt smell.... so they all four got booted. my buddy and I followed them out as the security did escort them to the exit. They were trying to start the whole thing!

GET YOUR STORY STRAIGHT!!!!!!!!

by 1nugs1 on May 15, 2009 4:28 PM MDT reply actions

Kleiza and Najera always seemed like a one-two punch. Scoring and hustle. But now there's no yang to Kleiza's yin.

One might say he is yang-less.

When people refer to Denver's bench, it's really JR and Birdman, with the occasional AC thrown in. Now I know shortened rotations are the norm in the playoffs, but adding Balkman to that mix gives us even more hustle. Why, George, why??? Give the guy some minutes, will ya? What's the worst that could happen?

It just seems like there's no place for Kleiza on this year's team...

by Do We Have Any Plays? on May 15, 2009 4:41 PM MDT reply actions

I believe we have actually gained enough respect through these two rounds that not playing LA would not have the "yeah, but they didn't have to play the Lakers" stigma. We have our own Buzz now.

I must admit that I have thought the Lakers length would be a factor we could not overcome, but now agree with the poster who said that Houston has given us a blueprint on exactly how to do just that. The question is, do we have the matchups to do so?

I look forward to seeing GN's take on this.

by My3Cents on May 15, 2009 6:21 PM MDT reply actions

I want the Lakers to win, because I want the series to be interesting. Having Carmello, Lebron, and Kobe all in the final-four is going to be awesome. I am just sad that KG is out because it's not the same Boston team without him.

I absolutely hate watching the Rockets play-although it's marginally more interesting without that lumbering tree-trunk Yao in there knocking everybody over and clogging up the lane.

I am really enjoying watching the Nuggets play because I like HOW they play. Everybody is accepting their roles and playing for the good of the TEAM. ( Although sometimes JR Smith's shot selection makes me reach for the bottle of Maalox that I keep handy for nugs games. ) The team chemistry bodes really well for our chances I think.

I was a huge fan of Camby and thought letting him go was a terrible idea, but I guess in the end, it was that trade that made it possible to ultimately wind up swapping AI for Billups- which has made all this possible.

And Nene plus the Birdman equals a Camby I think. That's worked out better than anybody could have hoped. The birdman swoops around changing and blocking shots like Camby did, and he also rebounds and cleans up garbage around the rim. Nene is coming though with clutch offense as well when the shooters are off.

And with everybody healthy for once, ( Kmart / Nene )I think this could be the year we have been waiting for!

Bring on the Lakers!

http://tyharris.wordpress.com

by Anonymous on May 16, 2009 11:18 PM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.