Denver Nuggets Finally Justify Rivalry They Created With Lakers
To Denver Nuggets Fans, the Los Angeles Lakers have been the Denver Nuggets rival since the Carmelo Anthony era. Tough playoff series, especially 2009, coupled with the man who is Kobe Bryant, have created hatred within the walls of the Pepsi Center in Denver. For the Lakers, the Nuggets are annoying fly that buzzes around but can be taken care of with a fly swatter and a bit of shooing. That is until last night’s game six.
The Nuggets demolished the Lakers last night. Kobe Bryant, although he was sick, was just enough off to justify the chants directed his was by the Nuggets faithful. Of course Kobe became the villain for Colorado when he was involved in a court case in Eagle, Colorado. While Bryant was exonerated from all charges, no one in the state has forgotten. Seeing the Lakers struggle for two games in Denver has been a sweet satisfaction.
The Laker hatred is fueled by the appearance of their traveling or “pseudo” fans that fill the arena with Kobe jerseys and chants of “MVP.” These “Faker Fans” cheer loudly for free throws and know they have the refs whistle in their pockets. They watched for years as Bryany got the calls that former Nugget Carmelo Anthony never did. Thursday night they were seen leaving the game early to loud jeers from the Nuggets’ fans that had waited too long for this moment.
Playoff games are supposed to be a battle, but never before has Denver seen a playoff game turn into a celebration. Timofey Mosgov’s dunk over Barnes, Corey Brewers alley-oop, and Ty Lawson’s threes sent the decibel level in the Pepsi Center to new heights, and the Laker’s disbelief rose with it.
Resentment can be heard from the Lakers fans, media and players when talking about the Nuggets. They have suddenly exposed the weaknesses of the “Kings of the Court.” Their athleticism, defense and lack of a star are challenging the accepted model that has carried the Lakers with Kareem Abdul Jabar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The Nuggets rotation is legitimately ten men deep.
The Nuggets have lost to the Lakers in a playoff series six times. The Lakers ended their best season in 2009 in the Western Conference Finals. No one gave the Nuggets a prayer in this series. However, if the Nuggets win game seven, the Lakers may start calling future match-ups part of a rivalry.
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