National Basketball Association

Nuggets-Magic: Points to ponder

Published Mar. 29, 2010 4:26 a.m. ET

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Game time: Magic 103, Nuggets 97

Just about every disinterested NBA watcher expects the Lakers and the Cavs to play for the championship. However, since Denver and Orlando are second in their respective conferences, these two teams probably have the best chance to derail this expectation.

What would be interesting about a Nuggets-Magic final series? And, conversely, what aspects of this proposed matchup would be uninteresting?

Interesting

Discovering whether Chauncey Billups has lost a step or whether a healthy Jameer Nelson has become a better player. Plus, does Billups have any big shots left in his bag of tricks?

Taking note of just how atrocious Carmelo Anthony’s off-ball defense is. At the other end of the game, he’s more of a scorer than a shooter.

If Chris Andersen is plugged into an electric socket, would his lively skin cartoons spring into action? Plus, given how poorly this guy has played all season long, is it possible for him to redeem himself in the playoffs?

The national exposure would demonstrate to one and all just how good a two-way player Arron Afflalo really is.

Tracking how few offensive plays Denver runs that involve more than two players.

Noting how reluctant the 6-foot-11, 260-pound Nene is to venture into the low post.

Should they somehow get past the Lakers, the Nuggets would feature the worst perimeter defense of any team that has participated in the long and glorious history of NBA Finals.

Determining how important George Karl’s presence on the bench is to the Nuggets' success.

Keeping count of exactly how many weak-side screens are provided for J.J. Redick. Also noting how many times Denver’s defenders are suckered by his head fakes.

Appreciating how much better Orlando moves the ball when Redick replaces Vince Carter.

Counting the number of moving screens Marcin Gortat gets away with.

Watching Dwight Howard and Nene beat on each other in the battle of the boards.

Not interesting

Howard’s crooked free throws.

J. R. Smith’s inability to complete two successive passes.

Redick’s valiant, but fruitless attempts to guard Smith.

Observing whether Howard will block more shots or get more of his own shots blocked.

The misguided shots that Jason Williams launches.

Rashard Lewis’ panic attacks when he gets double-teamed on a wing.

Both teams' attempts to equal the combined number of air balls they tossed up on Sunday. Redick, Matt Barnes and 'Melo had one each, Nelson had two and Howard fired up three.

Denver’s inevitable, but lame attempts to excuse its poor effort in the game at hand by claiming the injured Kenyon Martin would have made a significant difference. In truth, even when he’s healthy, K-Mart is a faux bully at home and a lost soul on the road.

The Nuggets' failure to play with intensity on defense, as well as their lack of versatility on offense.

On second thought, this scenario has no chance of happening. If Shaq has still not fully recuperated when/if Orlando and Cleveland face off in the playoffs, then the Magic have a decent chance of returning to the finals. However, the Nuggets simply don’t have stuff enough to overthrow the Lakers.

If you have a question or comment for Charley Rosen, please email charleyrosen@gmail.com and he may respond in a future column.

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