Nuggets Show Why I Picked Lakers

Through the first three games of the Western Conference Finals series between the L.A. Lakers and the Denver Nuggets, the Nuggets have given a few examples of why I picked the Lakers to win the series.

In game 1, with game tied at 99, Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin commits a silly foul with 30.5 seconds left against Kobe Bryant. For reasons known only to Martin, Kenyon reached in to deflect the ball from Bryant.

Huh?

Bryant made both free throws to give the Lakers a two point lead.

Then, after a timeout, Denver's Anthony Carter (6'1" - maybe) threw a bad inbound pass over LA's taller Lamar Odom (6'9") which Lakers' forward Trevor Ariza picked off and drew a foul on Denver's Chauncey Billups.

The Lakers won Game 1 by two points 105 - 103.

Next, the Nuggets revisited their inability to inbound the ball in crunch time, this time in Game 3, as Kenyon Martin -- there's that man again -- threw a soft pass (over Lamar Odom - him again?) attempt to Carmelo Anthony which, guess who, Trevor Ariza, picked off and drew the sixth foul on Anthony.

Nuggets lose 103 to 97.

As a result of mistakes like these, the Nuggets trail the Lakers 2 games to 1 in the series and face the proverbial must win in Game 4 Monday night.

Simply put, besides Kobe Bryant being a "bad, bad man", I picked the Lakers (in seven) because I thought the Nuggets would self destruct and inflict wounds to themselves which would give the Lakers enough life until Kobe delivered the knock out blow in Game 7.

Here's to you, Denver Nuggets. I appreciate your proving me right -- so far.