Dec. 31, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Arron Afflalo (6) and Denver Nuggets power forward Al Harrington (7) guards Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) as he makes a pass during the first half of the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

In 2008, the Los Angeles Lakers swept the opening round of the playoffs with the Denver Nuggets.  And in 2009, the only thing that stood between the Nuggets and the NBA Finals was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Now three years later, the Nuggets have a brand new team but face a familiar foe in the opening round of the playoffs. Only little used big man Chris Andersen is left from that squad, while the Lakers still have the same core group of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Bryant.

Los Angeles doesn’t have legendary coach Phil Jackson anymore, he has been replaced by Mike Brown. But the Lakers still remain dangerous with their size in the post and with a future Hall of Famer in Bryant.

The Nuggets still have George Karl in control, but have replaced Carmelo Anthony with Danilo Gallinari, Chauncey Billups with Ty Lawson, Nene with JaVale McGee and Kenyon Martin with Kenneth Faried. Oh, and Andre Miller now plays the old role that Anthony Carter had.

In the past Carter and Dahntay Jones were in charge of checking Bryant, but now it is Arron Afflalo and Miller that have the tough task of slowing Bryant. The two have done an admirable job of slowing Bryant, who hasn’t shot over .40 percent in a game against the Nuggets this season.

If the Nuggets have a shot at beating the Lakers, they need to steal a win at Staples Center –  where they haven’t had much success over the past few years. The Nuggets have won only 3 of 14 road games against the Lakers, their last win over the Lakers at the Staples Center was last year when Martin tipped in the game winner. Denver needs some of that same magic in this series.

Even with a full roster, the two biggest weaknesses on the Nuggets squad right now is on defense, particularly on the perimeter and shooting the rock from behind the arc. The Nuggets currently have the second worst defense in points allowed (100.8) and are among the worst in defending the 3-pointer (.367). On the opposite side of the ball the Nuggets shoot only .327 percent from behind the arc. Outside of Afflalo (.35) no other rotation players shoot better .34 percent from behind the arc. But there are players that could help. (more…)