Denver Nuggets: What if the 2009 Western Conference Finals was different
By Mathew Huff
As we continue the off season for the Denver Nuggets, we will be starting a new “what if,” series.
The Denver Nuggets had arguably their best season of their franchise history in the 2009 season. With Colorado’s own, Chauncey Billups, leading the way at point guard, the team looked like a legitimate sleeper for the NBA championship.
Carmelo Anthony was hungry for a NBA title and was entering the prime of his career. Not to mention, they were surrounded by an underrated core which consisted of the likes of J.R. Smith, Nene and Chris Andersen.
Sadly, the Los Angeles Lakers led by a prime Kobe Bryant got in the way in the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers eventually took the series in six games, but it was a very competitive series. A series which was one of the most entertaining in Denver’s history despite losing.
So, what if things turned out different? What if the Nuggets actually took the series and went to the NBA Finals to battle the Orlando Magic.
First of all, let’s clear one thing up. The Magic did not put up much of a fight against Los Angeles. As a result, it is a safe assumption that Denver would have handled the Magic fairly well. A prime Dwight Howard would have given the post players some trouble, but the firepower the Nuggets possessed in Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith would have remedied this fact.
The Nuggets would have probably lost one more game than the Lakers did, but they would have still took the series in six games and I firmly believe in that statement.
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If they could have just gotten past the Kobe Bryant led Lakers, then the fan base would be less miserable today knowing they have at least one Larry O’Brien trophy in their history.