• I’ve played my entire career with the 76ers
• I wear a single digit number
• I have a Twitter account

Who Am I?

• I was a lottery pick
• I wear a single digit number
• My first name is Jonathan

Who Am I?

• I have played on 5 different NBA teams
• I was traded the day I was drafted
• My jersey number is a single digit

Who Am I?

Western Conference Finals

A team that’s been heralded with all the talent and skill in the world is now set to go up against a team with a new-found hunger and athleticism, one step closer to the NBA finals. The Lakers know what they have to do to get it, déjàvu from last year perhaps, and it’s only a matter of playing their A game to get past the Nuggets. This is new territory for the Nuggets as they haven’t passed the first round since ’94 and haven’t advanced to the conference finals since ‘85, but the heart they’ve put into these ’09 playoffs, yield the potential to make history and disrupt the Lakers’ pursuit for the ring they could have had last year. Can the Nuggets beat the best? Get ready for the series to watch – starts Tuesday, May 19, 2009 9:00PM EST on ESPN.

Regular Season: Los Angeles Won 3-1

Nov 1: at Nuggets 97, Lakers 104 (minus Chauncey Billups)
Nov 21: at Lakers 104, Nuggets 90
Feb 27: at Nuggets 90, Lakers 79
Apr 9: at Lakers 116, Nuggets 102

Starting 5

Point Guard (Derek Fisher v Chauncey Billups)

Both point guards have been in this game long enough to know how to handle their composure come game time. Strictly off numbers and recent performance alone, Chauncey Billups is clearly the bigger playmaker in this matchup. Big Shot Billups is on a playoff roll, averaging 22 PPG, 7APG, triple that of D Fish’s contributions.

Edge: Nuggets

Shooting Guard (Kobe Bryant v Dahntay Jones)

A look at Dahntay’s stats show he’s improved from his regular season average of 5 PPG, .458% FG to 7 PPG and .54% FG in the post season. Yet, will he be enough to stop Kobe’s reign as one of the best shooting guards in the league? Need we even ask? We’re talking Kobe Bryant here. Kobe’s mission is to lead this Laker team to victory, and if he serves his role, he will continue capitalizing on his seemingly tough shots. If we’re talking straight numbers, Kobe will continue his playoff average of 28 PPG, 4 RPG, and 4APG. Likewise, if we’re talking performance, Kobe will put on the show.

Edge: Lakers

Small Forward (Trevor Ariza v Carmelo Anthony)

While Trevor Ariza might have ignited a surprising spark to help the Lakers keep on every now and again, will he be able to bring down Carmelo Anthony? Carmelo is too great of a scorer, and impossible to shut down, especially in this playoff series. The Bron’s and Dwight’s of the world are often associated with the term, beast, and truth be told, Carmelo’s got some beast in him himself, proof when it comes to scoring. Did we mention he averaged 30 PPG in the conference semi’s? In the conference finals, we have yet to see, who will drain more, Melo or Kobe?

Edge: Nuggets

Power Forward (Pau Gasol v Kenyon Martin)

K Mart who can now move on from the drama that happened in the Mavs series, must now face Pau Gasol. While Kenyon is physically stronger than Pau Gasol, and bound to be a defensive deterrent, Pau’s more fluid and swifter on the offense. Pau’s been criticized to be a “softie” when it comes to playing his game, but still comes through and puts up numbers and boards, averaging a double-double during playoffs.

Edge: Lakers

Center (Andrew Bynum v Nene)

21-year old Andrew Bynum is an X-factor for the Lakers. If Bynum turns his game on, the Nuggets will be forced to rely on their outside shooting skills, and at the other end, the triple force from Pau, Kobe, and Bynum remains unstoppable. If, is the key word. As for Nene, he’s more consistent, a little more dapper on his feet, but still not as big of a factor as Bynum. Their numbers in the regular season match up pretty close. If Bynum’s in full effect, he gets the upper hand, but since it’s questionable whether he plays 100% each game, we’re going to go with even on this match up.

Edge: Even

The Bench

Lakers bench mob is led by Lamar Odom, who in his own right is also starter material. The rest of the LA supporting cast when on, can hold off a lead, but can also melt down when off. The Lakers bench mob will need to turn it up in order to help prevent Denver from going on their offensive runs. The Nuggets have shown their bench can be a threat, with JR beyond the arc, and the underrated Chris Andersen making his theatrical appearance.

Edge: Even

Intangibles

The hunger and motivation of these Nuggets serves as a big factor for them to defy odds and beat LA. If they’re still as hungry as they’ve displayed in the first couple series, this can throw off the Lakers and work to the Nuggets’ advantage. Don’t forget this is also Chauncey’s home team, and perhaps the AI trade was one of the best things to have ever happened to the Nuggets.

Edge: Nuggets

3 Questions

1) Will the Lakers hush their critics and play consistently well?
2) Will the Birdman take flight and help protect the Denver nest?
3) Will the young Andrew Bynum bring out his aggressive side to man the middle?

Prediction

This series is going to be a nailbiter from start to finish. Both teams are expected to play with an intensity, so say hello to more NBA drama. The key for the Lakers to stay on top, is if their big men step it up and for the entire Laker squad to conquer on the defensive end. The Lakers were easily able to douse the Nuggets during the regular season, and despite the Nuggets’ stellar performance in the first couple of series of playoffs, it will be a big challenge for them to beat LA. The Rockets series has exposed the Lakers are human afterall, and are not exempt from a beat-down. Lakers will most likely dominate on their turf, but expect some turbulence when they travel to the Mile High. Lakers in 7.

Lakers win 4-3

• I am not Kevin Durant
• I have a younger brother
• I had a career high of 34 points last season

Who Am I?