Nuggs/Lakers: How about some numbers?
by Jezru on May 6, 2009 7:00 PM MDT
24 comments
Becuae of the constant harassment in my office over my shunning of the local lakers and because I root for my hometown Nuggies, I was forced to go inside the numbers for a little ammunition that I urge to all to throw in the faces of smug laker fan...
Check it out:
In the first round series, Denver scored a cumulative 542 points, outscoring the Hornets by a cumulative 121 points.
In the first round series, the Lakers scored a cumulative 533 points, outscoring the Jazz by a cumulative 46 points.
Now check this out:
If you factor in game one of the Dallas series, the Nuggets added another 109 points to the cumulative points total and 14 for the outscoring cume total.
Now if you factor game one of the Laker's series, you can only add 92 points to the cume points total and you have to subtract 8 points from their outscoring total because they are big fat losers thus far in round 2.
This gives the Nuggets a cume points total of 651 total points and the Lakers 625 cume points. Edge: Nuggets by by 26 points or 4.3 per game.
The outscoring cume totals are also interesting. Nuggets outscored their opponents by 135 points (WOAH!) while the Lakers have only outscored their opponents by just 36 points. The Nuggets have outscored the Lakers 3.75 times over. Even if you erased the lopsided 58 point victory from the Nuggs' total, it would still be over twice as many points than the Lakers. Impressive! Edge: Nuggets.
Now, let's not forget that being the one seed the Lakers have played lower seeded teams than the Nuggets and so it would stand to reason that the Lakers would have an easier time of it when it came to match-ups... The numbers here don't lie - the Lakers aren't having as much success in the playoffs as the Nuggets.
Why the point disparity? The Nuggets are playing lights out defense and the Lakers aren't. Assuming the Lakers are able to come back against the Rockets and we do match up in the finals (assuming we don't collapse to the Mavs) my money is where my heart is. Edge: Nuggets.
I want to see Kobe cry.
J
Write respectfully of your SB Nation community and yourself.
0 recs |
24 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Great Analysis
But if Shane Battier lets Kobe go off for 40, what chance do we have to keep him in check? That’s what I worry about. As great a defensive leap as the Nuggets have made this year, I just don’t see anyone on the team that is able to stop him.
- Jones is too small, even though he has the tenacity to fight over picks and stay with Kobe
- Kenyon is not fast enough, even though he has the hands and physical strength to body Kobe in the post
And nobody else on the Nuggets even come close. The only way I can see the Nuggets being able to neutralize Kobe is to double him and force the ball out of his hands and depend on our (gulp) rotations.
But, let’s remember: first things first. Two more dubs against Dallas, THEN we can start talking about our Lakers/Houston strategy.
by BeefySwats on May 7, 2009 9:20 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Seriously, we have taken care of business at home but that is the bare minumum if what you have to do in the playoffs. We still HAVE to win at least one game in Dallas and that will be a huge task. New Orleans gifted us our away win and were playing awful basketball for much of the series. You can guarantee the Lakers will start to figure it out. Looks like they are already on their ways to doing so.
by joshhopp on May 7, 2009 4:00 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
The key to guarding Kobe is not to think you can stop him because you can’t. But the important thing is not to let him get his teammates involved. He can shoot and make the jumper and there’s basically nothing you can do about that. But, if he is penetrating and dishing then he will kill us because the D gravitates towards him leaving people wide open all over the court. I advocate playing him 1 on 1 and switching defenders like we are doing with Dirk. If he scores 60 every night then you tip your hat to him but if he scores 30-40 the Nuggets can still win if they contain the other guys. In the NBA teams lose all the time when player’s get 30 or so points. The Nuggets use to have TWO 30 point scorers (AI and Melo) and still lost a lot. Making the game a 1 on 1 Kobe vs. the Nuggets is pretty much the only way to win a Nugs/Lakers series.
by thomasw78 on May 8, 2009 10:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rockets fan here.
I agree conceptually with what you’re saying as your bigs have done as fine a job defending and intimidating Dirk as anyone but I don’t think the Nuggets have the mindset from at the 1-2-3 to defend Kobe. Having Birdman, K-Mart and Nene to body up on Dirk is a great matchup for you guys. Having Battier and Artest to do what they can to stop Kobe is a good matchup for us. Those are probably 2 of the best wing defenders in the game. Basically, Jones is going to have hands VERY full.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 13, 2009 3:15 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed! Jones may be in over his head in that one (if it happens) ...
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on May 13, 2009 3:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I appreciate the vote of confidence for my Rockets
but I can’t possibly see them winning again in the Staples Center with Yao (that’s assuming they win Game 6 at home)
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 13, 2009 3:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Have some faith bro
It aint over yet. remember that we(the rockets) were told we had no buisness in the second round. And that all the guys at BSPN had out their bandwagon laker brooms. I think that we still have a shot. It’s slim, but still there. And to all you Nuggs out there, how upset are you that they (BSPN) don’t even have your name in the race. I guess everybody but the lakers/cavs should have just stayed home. Take out Dallas, then take out the Fakers. Go Rockets. my second favorite team is whoever plays the lakers.
by mutombo4life on May 13, 2009 4:13 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was more trying not to jinx the Nuggs, but I'm going for the Rockets too ...
Though it’d be fun to take the Lakers out as well … (if it happens)
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on May 13, 2009 4:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kobe and the Lakers
i agree with J above, nobody can stop Kobe, and the numbers on the Lakers show that actually when Kobe shoots over 20 shots a game they are a worse team. Kobe is going to get his, but when the others go off thats the problem. And our other defenders are active enough to slow those guys down. I mean come on personally I am not and never will be afraid of Luke Walton’s questionable at best offensive game. Nobody on that team besides Kobe scares me. Play him just like Dirk, let him get his 35 and D up the other stiffs!
by Mr.Clutch15 on May 14, 2009 2:07 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Just here checking out what Nuggets fans are saying.......I am sure the Houston fans will say I am counting my chickens too soon, but whatever.
“when Kobe shoots over 20 shots a game they are a worse team.”
Sorry I can’t let this one go. The reason that the Lakers are better when Kobe shoots less than 20 times is simple. If they are winning he either doesn’t have to shoot as much, or he is on the bench for the 4th quarter. Kobe RARELY shoots the Lakers out of a game, but quite often he has to try (successfully a lot of the time) to shoot them back into one. And for the record his biggest shooting volume games of his career are almost all wins.
I am not saying he doesn’t have bad games, but he very rarely starts out shooting a lot of shots. He usually facilitates (you know making your teammates better crap) early and shoots more later if necessary.
Just my opinion (referred to as JMO in the future). Actually not really opinion, mostly fact.
"Don't I know you from somewhere"?. "Nah, that ain't me, I'm from Buffalo" - Axel Foley
by pslakerfan on May 14, 2009 10:59 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
True,
But the fact remains is that you are not gonna stop Kobe, hes gonna get his so the focus should be on making sure he doesn’t cut your defense up and make other better. Volume shooter, i will live with Kobe shooting it 30 times. Hes still the selfish player he has always been, and opinion or not you can’t convince me otherwise. He gets in this mode, and everybody on his team stands around and watches him. That’s when they struggle.
Melooooooo
by Mr.Clutch15 on May 14, 2009 1:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Laker fan here and I come in peace
As my colleague above said, I wholly believe we play you Nuggets next. Sorry Rocket fans but I do not see you guys winning that series
Now back to the Nuggets. I understand you believe the Lakers have played “mediocre” teams thus far in the playoffs and that the Nuggets have done better against “top seeded” teams. Also you believe that your frontline’s ability to roughen up Dirk would automatically have the same effect against Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. I concur the Nuggets are a great team and now play good defense but your reasoning is VERY flawed in a lot of ways.
Firstly, Kobe is the one superstar in the playoffs that has faced very tough individual defenders against the Jazz (Brewer, Kirilenko, Harpring) and Rockets (Artest, Battier). Nonetheless, Kobe has lit it up from the field. He hasn’t played too much in the post because these are bigger defenders. Not playing in the post also means he hasn’t shot a lot of free throws because he hasn’t been fouled a lot
Secondly, the difference between Kobe and Dirk is Kobe can get you 40 points, Dirk (mid 30s) on any night and bodying up would NOT INTIMIDATE him like Dirk but make him zone in and focus on lighting you up more. The closest defender in terms of physicality the Nuggets have to Artest is Kenyon Martin and asking him to lock up Gasol and Kobe at the same time is asking too much. Matter of fact, asking him to lock up Kobe ALONE is asking too much. Check last year playoffs matchup
The playoffs are all about matchups and I think we match up comfortably with you guys. First off, our center (unlike Dampier) is not an offensive non entity so you can’t sag off and double team other players easily. Dirk is not really a post player but he had success when he wasn’t shooting jumpers and went into the post against your frontline. Of course Birdman got him a couple times but he had a great offensive series. Gasol on the other hand is more crafty in the post with either hand and Bynum has the strength advantage over Dirk and anyone on your frontline. None of your low post defenders have the luxury of a low center of gravity like CHUCK HAYES of the Rockets. Gasol and Bynum both working in the post at ALL TIMES would put your frontline in foul trouble jeopardy.
Put it this way, it is Dahntay Jones AND Kenyon Martin against Kobe. Nene, Birdman and Kenyon Martin AGAIN against Gasol, Bynum and Odom. Our front line would not be over matched. In our last matchup (last regular season game), Bynum didn’t have a problem with Nene or Bidman so I expect him to have an OK series if he stays on the floor and draws some fouls in the post which I fully expect him to do against your frontline. I expect he would also because he isn’t guarding Yao Ming (the BEST OFFENSIVE CENTER in the NBA).
Lastly, unlike the Jazz (Millsap) and Rockets (Landry), the Nuggets do not have an ELITE offensive rebounder at the forward position coming off their bench so I do not think the Lakers would struggle with “defensive rebounding” and give up multiple possessions. Another elite offensive rebounder in the league at the forward position is Leon Powe of the Celtics. All 3 players lack in size but are TALL IN HEART and EFFORT and have a nose for the ball.
by ceeteejazz on May 14, 2009 1:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I will do an updated version of this...
once the Lakers/Rockets series is over… That lopsided loss in the last game my skew results a little, but I feel confident the trends above will be consistant.
J
It's pronounced Moreno, not Marino.
by Jezru on May 14, 2009 1:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Your reasoning behind the matchups make little to NO sense. How many points you beat another team by doesn’t show your teams true ability against another team. It is not Math or Calculus for that matter. Look at the matchups against the teams that would be suited up to play.
The question is how well do the Nuggets MATCH UP against their opponent, not how many points did the Nuggets destroy the Hornets by and how many points the Lakers beat the Rockets by. The hornets live and die by the 3s, the Lakers live and die by going in the post, running the triangle and Kobe. There is a BIG difference. We are not the Hornets and definitely not the Mavericks.
by ceeteejazz on May 14, 2009 1:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know Laker fan...
average margin of victory isn’t interesting when it paints the almighty Lakers as anything less than champions.
It's pronounced Moreno, not Marino.
by Jezru on May 14, 2009 2:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
...and...
We aren’t the Rockets or the Jazz…. Teams that combined to beat you three times… Definatively so… Embarassingly so….
Sure, we’ve lost twice… by a total of 4 points. Take from that what you will…
It's pronounced Moreno, not Marino.
by Jezru on May 14, 2009 3:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will be watching LA close tonight....
They should dust these dudes, no matter what the Nuggets in my mind come in as the underdogs, but still with a better chance then anybody else. Bynum is a complete waste and is slowly reaching Greg Oden status, come in miss a jump hook, miss a lay-up, foul 3 time, bench. He will be a non-factor against the Nuggets.
Melooooooo
by Mr.Clutch15 on May 14, 2009 6:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Even though....
I would pay good money to see Ron Ron Artest and K-Mart throw down in the octagon.
Melooooooo
by Mr.Clutch15 on May 14, 2009 6:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
A "table leg" match?
It's not the Lakers I hate with every bone in my body, it's just the players and their fans.
by Jezru on May 14, 2009 6:24 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or even better...
If one of Artest’s boys from Queens Bridge just stomps Kobe out before the game. And if he don’t do it guarantee my boy K-Mart greets him with a hard elbow in Game 1.
Melooooooo
by Mr.Clutch15 on May 14, 2009 6:31 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Artest has those crazy eyes...
If he looked at me like he looked at Kobe after that psuedo-foul, I’d agree that I’d shoved him too.
It's not the Lakers I hate with every bone in my body, it's just the players and their fans.
by Jezru on May 15, 2009 11:33 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
You had to love Artest's face there ...
It was a pretty classic exchange all around. Crazy Pills Artest just looking at Kobe like, “See you made me bite my tongue … admit man … COME ON … ADMIT IT … AD.MIT.IT.!!”
A classic!
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on May 15, 2009 1:00 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not the Lakers I hate with every bone in my body, it's just the players and their fans.
by Jezru on May 15, 2009 2:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
DENVER STIFFS T-SHIRTS!
Enter your email for updates
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
