Miked Up: Laker hopeful humbled at Pepsi Center by Denver Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers fans yellow bled from their jerseys to their pants, quicker than they would like tonight at the Pepsi Center thanks to the Denver Nuggets.

In reality, it wasn’t much of a game past the first quarter.  Not that this Denver Nuggets fan will ever complain about a healthy margin of victory against the despised transplant teams (LA/Boston/Golden State), the packed out crowd was usually quiet through the game.  Though there is and always will be a satisfaction of watching rival fans up and leave to their cars, with more than several minutes left in a blow out.

“Thanks for coming out!”, I whisper under my breath, fearful of a beating from this tattooed, multiple hair product Bryant jersey fan.

Unlike Boston or Raider fans, luckily California fans i.e. Laker or Warrior fans usually keep on walking following a barb like “Thanks for coming out!”, as they pull their phones out of their pockets to text their dads about whether it’s possible to sue another fan for jeering at them.

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• Denver Nuggets NBA Training Camp report, other preseason dates to know

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Anyhow, now that we have that anecdote out of the way…on to the game!

• Everyone knows that Coach Michael Malone was hired for his defensive prowess as the Nuggets moved on from now Laker assistant coach, Brian Shaw.  What was a surprise over the past 3 years was the fact that the Nuggets have been a BOTTOM 5 defensive team…but top offensive power for that whole span.  As of right now, the Nuggets are one of the only 3 teams in the NBA that are top 10 in BOTH offensive and defense (Toronto, Milwaukee, Denver).  Crazy thing is, that the Nuggets haven’t even hit their offensive stride yet.  AND WHAT ELSE?  We still have Barton, Thomas, and potentially first round pick MPJ on the way.

• To build upon this year’s defense effort, did you know, that Denver holds the league best at 10 games in holding opponents under 100 points?  When you consider the Nuggets have been a league WORST 5 defensive teams, to think we have come out like this is mind blowing!   That would be like the Broncos defense turning from what it currently is to the Chiefs or Rams offense over night.  I don’t know how sustainable this will be 1/4th of a way into the season but major tip of the cap to Coach Michael Malone for that stat alone

Tonight finished as the largest blow out win against the Lakers in history!  Man, what a way to treat our transplant CA friends.  Equally becomes the third strait game for the Nuggets having a 25+ lead against their opponents some point in time in the game.  Fourth straight win after that downward spiral they went through and you can tell watching the bench how much this team loves each other.

Energy was through the rough for the team, as they fielded a season high 57 rebounds tonight.  Completely dominating the glass and only gave up SEVEN rebounds all game.  Malik, Paul, and Jamal all put up 20 points each (clearly it’s Paul’s headband).

Sky is the limit for this team.  We are dangerous.  We are feared.  Very excited for Friday’s game against Portland, though I likely won’t be able to watch it due to some dreadful holiday party or another.

Happy Holidays all!

@mwilsonco

PS – On the Kuni Lexus drive of the game tonight, they actually showed two “drives of the game”, Juancho and Millsap.  Two?  TWO??  What is this participation medal, millennial bs?  There needs to be one, and only one, Kuni Lexus Drive of the game.  Don’t reinforce what is going wrong with this generation, come on, Kuni Lexus!!