Three ways to beat, and lose to, the Nuggets
More by way of previews, this time via the folks at Pickaxe and Roll, a top notch Nuggets blog with a top notch name. As part of a "blog swap" between PA'n'R and SportsHubLA, we discussed the idea of "Three ways to beat, and lose to, the _______." Here is the report on Denver. The quick and dirty summary of the larger piece, plus some additional thoughts, in the link follows below:
Do:
- Take things slow: "Denver is at their best when they are running. They have athletes who can not only beat their man down the floor, but finish as well. Over the past four frustrating years they have faced teams who can control their transition game and they have lost every series in five games... If they are running it is important to keep a man around the coach’s box to challenge the outlet pass. That is easier said than done as Denver has several players who can lead the break... The best way to slow the Nuggets running game is to simply be ready to get back after a shot. Do not send more than two players to the offensive glass and have them pressure the Nugget who grabs the rebound..."
- Pack the paint: "Even when the Nuggets are running they still have to score in the half court. It is possible to give up 20 or 30 fast break points and still beat the Nuggets if you can pack the paint and turn them into a jump shooting team. Denver runs an isolation based offense that is designed to free AI for drives and give Melo the opportunity to drive, post up or shoot from the wing. If Iverson meets resistance he will back off and take long jumpers. Melo is even easier to keep on the perimeter. If you are physical with him and make it tough to get into the lane he can get flustered and stay outside..."
- Make them do the dirty work: "The quicker the other team tries to shoot the easier it is for Denver to defend. The Nuggets lack a team defense concept where they are all on the same page. They typically make poor rotations and can be scattered rather easily because of their lack of focus. If a team will move the ball, set screens and send cutters through the lane the Nuggets positioning will collapse and they will allow easy buckets."
Do Not:
- Hand it over: "The Nuggets lead the league in steals and as a team have players with very active hands. Turnovers fuel their transition game, and as we discussed, that can increase their effort in all areas of the game..."
- Don't be proud: "Most teams have realized this, but some teams out there are still trying to prove their man hood by playing straight man to man defense on them. The Nuggets maul straight man to man defenses like a lonely sexaholic will maul a blow up doll. No one in the NBA can guard Melo one on one. Not Bruce Bowen, not Shane Battier, no one can. It will be interesting to see Kobe on Melo down the stretch in a tight game, because I think Kobe believes he can do it... Phil Jackson is supposedly a pretty smart guy so look for LA to either double Melo as soon as he touches the ball or send a helper to his side of the lane. As mentioned above, I would expect to see some zone from the Lakers even though from what I have seen they do not seem to be much of a zone team."
- Let the bench roam free: "If you let either J.R. Smith or Kleiza come in the game and hit their first couple of shots, you will be in for a long night. Both of those guys are confident, but when they get off to good starts they can drop 15 points on you before you know what happened."
More thoughts (mine now) on the series... they just keep coming.
I was sitting in with Steve Mason yesterday on 710 ESPN (yes, that's a plug, but it sets up what follows), and we were talking about what the Nuggets ought to do in an effort to take down the Lakers. My thought, and you can tell me if this is totally ridiculous, is to make Kobe beat them. I realize he's the MVP and the best player on the planet, but to me if the Nuggets can resist the urge to double him hard,and play 24 straight up, they can mitigate one of the great strengths of the Lakers: balance. When LA gets production from up and down the roster, they're almost unbeatable. That, in part, has been what has made Kobe so great this year- he's consistently been able to put his teammates in the best place to succeed, and has punished teams for overplaying him.
One potential solution? Do whatever is possible to take away the supporting cast. See if you can turn the Lakers into a Kobe-centric team. Make them more one dimensional. It's a pretty good dimension, for sure, but not as dynamic as the whole.
Mason asked me if that has ever worked before, and on air (ain't it always the way?) I couldn't think of a great example. Then on the way home (go figure) I realized why. It's never really been a choice. When the Lakers and Suns squared off over the last couple seasons, the supporting cast wasn't nearly the factor it is currently, and even then, the Suns still were often very effective in shutting down non-Kobe players. Obviously, back in the glory days, there was that Shaq fellow. Good as Gasol is, his post presence isn't the same as what O'Neal brought during the Threepeat years.
Plus, it plays on the idea of some of Kobe's lesser characteristics, namely the occasionally mistimed tendency to feel he has to put the team on his back. If Denver frustrates his ability to facilitate and control play in that way, he might- might- start to take the game on his shoulders before it needs to happen.
So is this totally insane? I'm not saying it would work. A) Human nature is such that there's only so long players can go watching one guy slaughter them, and since nobody on Denver is a good enough defender to make Kobe struggle, he's likely light them up if given the opportunity, and naturally start to attract more attention. B) The Lakers move and cut well enough to find ways to get the ball around the floor, and assuming Kobe doesn't get tunnel vision, he's a good enough passer to get the ball to any man that makes himself available. C) The Nuggets aren't a good enough team defensively to check the other four guys on the floor. D) Like I said, Kobe's ability to resist the temptation Denver would be putting in front of him has been shown over and over this season.
I do think, though, that it's a tactic worth a try, if you're Denver. If the Lakers do what they're capable of doing, the Nuggets aren't likely to have an adequate response, since LA is, at the end of the day, the better team. But it would be an interesting wrinkle if, like the concepts of turning Steve Nash and Chris Paul into shooters, teams during the playoffs tried to take away those things that helped him put together an MVP worthy season instead of the standard "Double Kobe, don't let him beat us" mantra.
We'll see. Really, it's a testament not only to Kobe's play but the improvement of the team generally that this strategy is even moderately viable.
BK
"This? This is a fish. This is a fish! You know what? Just shut up."
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 19, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Interesting take, BK.
This is one of those Steve Kerr "I'm either an idiot or a genius," type things.
Posted by: Karl | April 19, 2008 at 01:09 PM
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE ON THE BLOG AWARDS...... If you havent placed a vote for the KBros blog.. PLEASE take a few mins and do so, if you have already, PLEASE take a few mins to do so again lol Ok my PSA is over, I now return you to - Suns/Spurs Jazz/Rockets Enjoy... heh
http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/2008/04/nba-blogger-season-awards-2008.html
Posted by: complex brotha | April 19, 2008 at 01:12 PM
suns team looks tough, if they get game1....they are gonna be on cruise control the rest of the series..and advance...
popivich needed to have more scoring in their lineup....
i hate shaq....
Posted by: laker32 | April 19, 2008 at 01:18 PM
I think that Duncan and Parker need to shave during halftime. Then they'll come back and wax the floor with these bums. Shaq sux, he should retire.
Posted by: The Original Ken | April 19, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Great post BK, I think that the way to beat LA is to make them a one man wrecking crew. Kobe seems to have really kept the team game in focus this year on a really consistent basis, there haven't been too many of three guys standing on the three point line and a big standing at the free throw line watching Kobe go off on a defender. It's like the team went from backing up Yngwie Malmsteen
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sj3ec2cCaJw
to creating a smooth, grooving funk ensemble
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dByTly4YLEc&feature=related
The Old Codger is hilarious in this.
But I digress, I think that Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom are good enough at moving the ball and the spacing that our three point shooting can help to create will keep the defences from letting Kobe just go off. Pau in the post demands a double-team because as good as Camby is, he's much better at being a help defender than a post up, man-to-man stopper. But let's say that they sort of give Kobe the field and he gets space to operate. He's going to eat up any single defender. If he goes for 30-40 1st and our D keeps them under 45, I think George Karl will try to up the pace and invite the 3 by going into a zone. I think that that play alot of zone D because we've shown that, as an entire team, we'll jack up 3's in the face of a zone. It seemed like we started doing that slightly less, but we have a young team that may succumb to temptation. Overall, I expect that Phil and Co. to be able to 'persuade' the team to drive and kick at a minimum, or work it inside.
I just wanted to thank y'all for a great regular season of blogging. It's nice to be able to express our fondness and joy at the team as an entity and as a living, learning team.
But can we lay off Gary Vitti, please? The guy is an NBA training legend in the NBA. The staff is doing their best. Kobe's still playing, Fish is actually getting stronger. Pau came back quickly. Ronny's balky back and hips aren't acting up. Luke's ankle is stronger and as a result he is surging at the right time. Knees a really tricky http://youtube.com/watch?v=2F2B796QeFk
and I am of the opinion that better safe than sorry for a young man with no real experience in this sort of thing. Let him come back physically and mentally ready to play. He's too important to risk. Let's rock the PLayoffs and bring home the Larry O.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M0zq2ZJO4fg&feature=related
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | April 19, 2008 at 01:46 PM
JWWeatherman~
Here's one for you:
"He went for her like she's made outta ham."
Damn right, we need to go after those Nuggets like they're made outta ham! Or chicken. haha
Posted by: Happy Camper | April 19, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Man, I should preview my posts. I meant that if Kobe goes for 30 - 40 1st Half points then we'd see lots of zone defence. Also that they will play lots of Zone D beacuse of our propensity to jack up the 3. And I wanted to major in English.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | April 19, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Personally, I think the Lakers' quick path to victory is the "Nothing But Threes" Offense, in which Phil allows the Lakers to take NOTHING but three point shots.
Farmar and Sasha will LOVE IT!
Why stop at 54 three point attempts when we can push it up to 90 three point attempts?
That means if we hit all our shots the Lakers will have scored 270 points in the game. I don't care how many points Denver can score, they're not going to score more than 270 points!
To push the tempo up, why wait until we reach the three-point line? Just huck it up once Farmar or Fish or Sasha or Luke reaches past half court! We've got to get this game moving! Those points aren't just going to score themselves! We need three-point shots to do that!
Nothing But Threes Offense! It's a lifestyle! Live it!
NOTHING BUT THREES!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 19, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Good Stuff B.K
But if I were to play devils advocate in hindsight, it was easier to collapse on KB and game plan a decent defense against the Lakers when going into the game you knew the roster contained such non threats i.e smush-kwame or inconsistent oddities bcook-sasha-vlad-luke as well as mostly timid play from bynum, odom and farmar. Thats why, as much as I HATED KB goin off last summer, I couldnt really argue with his POV In the past, the dude literally had to KILL himself JUST to keep us competitive and EVERY team in the league knew it going in,
NOW... NOW.. I mean you guys are closer to the team than we are, but from an outsider looking in, it appears Kobe finally has a TEAM thats bought into his almost obssesive, work out/practice/ pay dues in the gym mentality that he was trying to impose on Shaquille and the 3peat squads back in the day and it just wasnt happenin.
Anyways, thats all I got, the Suns "looked" strong but after watching the first half, if these are 2 of the top 4 elite teams in the west now.. If Drew comes back like he was pre injury.. OMG.. NOBODY and I do mean NOBODY will be able to handle the Lakers..
His footwork is too good now and the only Big thats sound enough fundamentally( at least defensively) to handle him in the west now ( timmy) just isnt quick enough nor explosive enough to handle a 20yr hungry Drew.. thats my side and I'm stickin to it..
AK/BK Can WE PUH - LEEZE Get some type of info- update ANYTHING you guys got pertaining to Drew and Trevor ??? Thanks
Posted by: complex brotha | April 19, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Hello you beggars my name is Mr.Nugget and I now command you to bow down to my greatness. Melo and Mr,Iverson wll send a spear through your hearts.So I command every low creature in this blog to lay down your arms. We come to pillage and rob and take your women folk.Bow down to your new LORD AND MASTER, the DENVER NUGGETTS.You no good laker vermin.
Posted by: Mr. Nugget | April 19, 2008 at 12
Posted by: Mr. Nugget | April 19, 2008 at 02:05 PM
I'm just happy that the Spurs/Suns are beating eachother up and it's only the first round!!! All the calls are going against the Spurs in the second half so far. No doubt the Lakers matchup well with either the Spurs or the Suns if and should they meet in WCF. Lakers would exploit the Suns weak perimeter defense and the Spurs have difficulty scoring. Lakers however must take of business against the high octane Nuggets.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 19, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Love it Happy Camper, LOVE IT!!
"Don't look him in the eye! It challenges him! He doesn't like that!"
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 19, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Jon K
And if we are lucky, a few 4 pt plays.
Yeah baby!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 19, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Jon K,
We're going to have to sign Antoine Walker with that strategy.
Posted by: Xodus | April 19, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Spurs/suns is a dogfight. Suns have led all game, but Spurs are still in it.
Posted by: Jeff | April 19, 2008 at 02:32 PM
And just as a finish typing, Shaq misses two free throws. that makes me happy.
Posted by: Jeff | April 19, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Good one, X!
Hack-a-Shaq is working so far for the Spurs... is he going to make
them when they count?
Posted by: Bzar | April 19, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Watching the Spurs - Suns game, and it's hard not to like Tony Parker's game. I mean we've watched him for years, but you got to like the way he finishes around the basket, especially for his small frame. Also, while he's small and the greatest jumper, and is kind of weak, his basketball sense and his ability to use his strengths is up with any of the best players in the league. I'd say that Tony Parker uses his assets in the same way that LeBron does.
That being said, I believe we have a young Tony Parker on our team named Jordan Farmar. A couple of weeks ago David Thorpe on ESPN did a series of what players the rookies should emulate. Farmar needs to watch Tony Parker and model his game after him. They have similar size and ball handling styles. They both are extremely quick and have the ability to change direction.
If I were Farmar's coach I'd give him this guide:
Ball-handling
Parker has the ability to change direction and keep his defender guessing. Farmar needs to be a little more smooth in his crossover. He could get by more people if he could learn to disguise his moves a bit more.
Shooting
Parker was a terrible 3-point shooter for the early part of his career...but his midrange game was still pretty solid.
However Farmar is a bit further in his development in his long distance shooting, especially from beyond the arc...but his midrange could use work.
Passing
Farmar forces some passes now like Parker did before. Then Popovich reigned in Parker's penchant for forcing the issue and he became better. Farmar has to learn patience. Now it's hard to do so because Farmar wants to use the most of his time. Kobe is a primary ball handler, not Farmar, where Parker runs the Spurs. But if Farmar wants an example, he should look at the relationship between Ginobili and Parker. I think Kobe has been enjoying moving without the ball lately, and frankly, that makes Kobe better too.
Defense
Parker is not a great defender, but he always gets a hand up in the face of his player. Parker moves around the screen rather than trails behind. Farmar gets caught chasing his player and that leaves the guy wide open off a screen. Remember how Pargo came in and scored 8 quick points on Farmar doing just that? Farmar needs to work around the screen and get his hands up.
Intangibles
Parker has the ball fakes, makes crisp crosscourt passes and knows which shot is best for his team. Farmar has to learn some more tricks of the trade, which comes from experience.
Posted by: The Lake Show | April 19, 2008 at 02:38 PM
A really good game between the Spurs/Suns.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 19, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Crazy game going on between Spurs/Suns. I think it's safe to say that the winner of game 1 will win the series. They're now going to OT. Hold on everyone, it's going to be a wild postseason.
Lakers must be prepared to go to war tomorrow. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 19, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Pop goin' with the Shaq's a Hack..... I mean Hack a Shaq. Love it. Hey Fire 32 "how do you like me now".....I still hope PHX wins though..... man I wanna kick your team's a$$ so badly this year.....
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 19, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Paging Pig Miller, Paging Pig Miller....
Denver Nugget Troll Sighting at 2 pm....
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | April 19, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Man, what a great playoff this is going to be. Two extremely entertaining games so far.
Posted by: Xodus | April 19, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Wow! I can't believe Duncan hit that 3. This game is an instant classic.
Posted by: Xodus | April 19, 2008 at 03:07 PM
how good is this Suns/Spurs game? ridiculoust that it's in the first round.
Posted by: 10milliondollarzen | April 19, 2008 at 03:09 PM
exxxxxellent. Long, drawn out dogfight. Lakers need to take care of the Nuggs and murder whoever they face in the next round, cause if the suns/Spurs make it to the third round they will have nothing left.
Posted by: Jeff | April 19, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Well I just saw who we may meet at the WCF. The Suns!!!. We will loose to them in 6 games without Bynum. That is a fact. Even a 80 percent Bynum may help us win. So I can only pray.
Posted by: johnny | April 19, 2008 at 03:19 PM
unreal basketball being played by Sun/SA
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 19, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Suns/Spurs may go 3OT's. It's a great, great game even though I hate both teams. LOL.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 19, 2008 at 03:21 PM
The Suns and Spurs are burniing themselves out right now. Good.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 19, 2008 at 03:21 PM
The Lake Show
I'm with you 100%. Farmar needs to become another Parker, and I think he has all of the tools to do it. He really needs to concentrate on the tear drop(TP's best weapon), as I think he can get a shot like that anytime he wants it, and stay away from the trey. Leave that to his partner in crime (SV).
Mr. Nugget,
You don't have to "take our women folk" with all of the sleeeeeeeeeeeaze available in Colorado. Just see Kobe's girl friend ;)
Posted by: bruzer | April 19, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Wow....
How does that idiot Boris Diaw MISS that layup?
No wonder the Suns fans call him "Doris" Diaw LMAO!!!
Guess he is the Suns version of PUKE walton!!!
Posted by: PurpleReign | April 19, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Wow! I can't believe Duncan hit that 3. This game is an instant classic.
Posted by: Xodus | April 19, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Xodus,
That's the truth!!! I'll watch the Hornets/Mavs and Jazz/Rockets tonight as well. Can't wait for our Lakers turn tomorrow. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 19, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Make that Purple & Gold Reign :-)
Posted by: Purple & Gold Reign | April 19, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Greatest first round game I've seen.
Posted by: Xodus | April 19, 2008 at 03:32 PM
I agree with Jeff...I hope every game is like this for 14 games until we meet one of these teams in the Conference finals. Wow.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Cameron | April 19, 2008 at 03:33 PM
I respect that man Steve Nash. Suns and Spurs game 1 has to be one of the best playoff games ever. Just beautiful bball all around. This series is going to be great, and its just the first game. The Spurs are a championship team. Hats off to Tim Duncan, he is a pure winner.
Posted by: wow | April 19, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Despite my hate for the Spurs/Suns, I respect the caliber of basketball played by their teams, especially their star players like TD, Amare, Nash, Parker, Shaq, Ginobili and Finley. Just because I hate their teams doesn't mean I don't appreciate and enjoy good, competitive basketball. Each star took turns today making big plays as the ebb and flow and momentum shifted virtually every play. Playoff basket is in full tilt and the best is yet to come!!! Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 19, 2008 at 03:42 PM
WOW that San Antonio and PHX game was ridiculous... im glad they are killin each other cuz the Lakers are about to roll thru everyone... but seriously i was rootin for the Spurs because I hate the Suns more...
what a game...
the NBA where amazing playoffs happens
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: David Whang | April 19, 2008 at 03:44 PM
If the Nuggets "force Kobe to win the game", that should still work out OK for the Lakers if Kobe doesn't fall in love with the three. If he takes it inside, and either draws the foul or dumps it off to Lamar/Pau, that defensive tactic should be easy to beat. If he starts taking long-range jumpers, then you have to hope he gets hot.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 19, 2008 at 03:44 PM
2 down, 2 to go
The NBA Playoff Marathon continues......
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 19, 2008 at 03:47 PM
What's their name again? The Denver Thugg'ettes?
or Denver Thuglets?
Denver Nugg-less?
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 19, 2008 at 03:48 PM
I'm sorry, Pig Miller is not available right now.
He is temporarily indisposed while he is rolling around on the floor deliriously laughing at the Suns losing today.
Please check back later.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 19, 2008 at 03:55 PM
JW Weatherman~
This is too much fun!
"And really, I think what we're talking about is standards, basically; very, very specific, rigid, you could say, but in this world where would we be without them, I think. And notice where we are."
Freaky! haha
Posted by: Happy Camper | April 19, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Let's all just hope that the Rockets/Jazz series has a few of these
knockdown-dragout games going into overtime and tiring out the winner.
My prediction for the Lakers/Nuggets is Lakers win first two home games,
lose the third (1st road) game and then win games four (in Denver) and
five (at home) to win the series.
AK or BK do you know which day the Lakers are planning on flying
up to Denver? I'd be surprised if they flew up immediately after
Wednesday's game.
The scheduling for this series kinda sucks with the first four games being
Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday-Monday.
Posted by: Bzar | April 19, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Even though the Spurs pulled it out and got the W.. I'd rather play them now than the Suns. They look slow and erractic to me whereas the Suns seem to be finding an identity with Shaq and Amare and now Diaw and Barbosa are beggining to contribute at the right time. I'm sure we can beat either team, but I have no doubt we're a lot quicker than the Spurs based on what I saw today.
Posted by: complex brotha | April 19, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Last chance to throw a few votes in for this blog.
http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/2008/04/nba-blogger-season-awards-2008.html
This poll closes tomorrow. Let's put this blog on the map.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | April 19, 2008 at 04:22 PM
AK/BK,
I wrote earlier that one of the exciting things about this Lakers team and their quest to win the NBA Championship is that it will be the Lakers’ first NBA Championship since trading Shaq but also the first NBA Championship to be reported on by the LA Times Lakers Blog. So get ready because we are about to experience this championship run in an entirely new and far more fulfilling and satisfying way because of the power of the blog.
I can’t tell you how much all of us who are regular browsers or posters on the blog are truly looking forward to sharing the thrills and excitement with our fellow Laker fans on the blog as this impossible perfect storm of a Lakers season heads into the NBA playoffs stretch run. This is going to be a Lakers championship run like no other we have ever seen and the blog is going to explode with joy and celebration as we win the championship.
Because of the blog, Laker fans have been able to support their team and favorite players every day and game of the season, which is a dramatic departure from the hard newsprint days when we had to buy multiple newspapers just to find a few scraps of precious news. Many of us no longer even buy newspapers to get our Lakers news, instead subscribing to the blog to stay abreast of news from and about our team. The blog has become a valued and inseparable part of our life and our expanded virtual community of friends.
The great interchange of ideas, observations, kudos, and complaints on the blog have also amazingly increased the collective intelligence, awareness, and insight of our Lakers fans. Blog-sync-think has now united every part of the great world-wide Lakers community in its undying appreciation and love for this current Lakers team and the Cinderella season they have crafted to redeem not only themselves as players but also their franchise as storied. Winning the NBA Championship this season is going to be the greatest title in the Lakers great history because nobody but the Lakers Blog gave our team any chance to do it.
Take a well-deserved bow for the great job you guys have done. You have proved you’re as much friends and fans to us as you are professional journalists in creating and guiding this wonderful blog to its unprecedented level of success and universal admiration.
Congratulations and thank you for a fabulous job! Now let’s go win that championship.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 19, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Nemaia,
The playoffs this year are incredible. The only series that's gonna screw it up is the Boston-Atlanta sacrifice..err..I mean series.
Posted by: Xodus | April 19, 2008 at 04:48 PM