SB Nation Denver - 2012 NBA Playoffs, Lakers Vs. Nuggets: Denver Eliminated Following Game 7 Losshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2012-05-14T07:29:59-06:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27503482012-05-14T07:29:59-06:002012-05-14T07:29:59-06:002012 NBA Free Agency: Andre Miller Will Only Be A Backup For A 'Championship-Caliber Team'
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<p>Veteran point guard <span>Andre Miller</span> was a big asset for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> in the 2011-12 NBA season, but when he hits unrestricted free agency this summer, Denver is going to have a tough time keeping him around. It won't be for lack of trying. Head coach <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/Lopez_Nuggets/status/200046578122235906">George Karl explained</a> during that playoffs that he just wants Miller to give the team "a chance to communicate how much we would like to get him back this summer." However, young PG Ty Lawson is eligible for an extension this summer, and Miller warned back in January that "<a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/1/12/2702044/andre-miller-ty-lawson-denver-nuggets-point-guard">I don't see myself as a backup...This is a short season, so I'll deal with it.</a> But I don't see myself as a backup at this point in my career. I don't see that."</p>
<p>In other words, if the team makes a lucrative extension offer to Lawson, Miller could easily be on another team next season. As he told Christopher Dempsey of the <i>Denver Post</i> after the team was eliminated from the 2012 NBA Playoffs: "I'll keep my options open. At this point in my career, <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_20613417/nuggets-andre-miller-says-he-will-keep-options-open-future" target="_blank">if I'm going to be a backup, I'm going to be a backup on a championship-caliber team</a>." Miller did say the Nuggets are a team that can compete and get out of the first round, but reiterated that he sees himself as an NBA starter and if the free agent market leaves him searching for a backup role he wants to join "a team that's going to compete for a championship, and not use youth as a crutch or inexperience as a crutch."</p>
<p>Miller may be a bit on the decline -- the 36-year-old posted a career-low in PER (14.8), a career-high in turnover rate and his lowest TS% since the 2002-03 season -- but <a href="http://www.82games.com/1112/11DEN2.HTM" target="_blank">the Nuggets were a better team with him on the floor</a> in terms of point-differential, shooting percentage and percentage of field goals assisted.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For more in-depth coverage, head over to <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a>. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/14/3019268/nba-free-agency-2012-andre-miller-nuggets-championship-teamSteve von Horn2012-05-13T09:05:26-06:002012-05-13T09:05:26-06:00JaVale McGee Injury: Nuggets C Had Dislocated Shoulder At End Of Game 7
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> center <span>JaVale McGee</span> had a dislocated shoulder in the final seconds of Game 7 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> after <span>Andrew Bynum</span> fouled him. However, it did pop back into place, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/playoff_notebook_05_13_2012.html">reports Nuggets.com writer Aaron Lopez</a>.</p>
<p>This isn't expected to lead to any problems as he enters into restricted free agency this summer. The Nuggets will be able to match any offer sheet McGee might sign this summer, but, as always, the question is how high the Nuggets will go until they won't match a deal.</p>
<p>McGee averaged 8.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks during the first round of the playoffs, including a games of 21 points and 14 rebounds and 16 points and 15 rebounds.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For more in-depth coverage, head over to <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a>. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/13/3017613/javale-mcgee-injury-andrew-bynum-lakers-vs-nuggetsRuss Oates2012-05-12T23:30:20-06:002012-05-12T23:30:20-06:002012 NBA Playoffs, Nuggets Vs. Lakers Final Score: L.A. Picks Up Game 7 Victory, Eliminates Denver
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> played the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> close on Saturday evening, but they emerged on the wrong end of a 96-87 loss in Game 7 of the 2012 NBA Western Conference Playoffs. The Nuggets have failed to advance out of the first round of the playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons.</p>
<p>The Nuggets failed to break the 20-point barrier in the second and fourth quarters, putting up 18 and 19 points, respectively. Unlike previous games in this series, the Nuggets won the third quarter, 26-21. <span>Ty Lawson</span> and <span>Al Harrington</span> each scored 24 points, tied for the team lead, but <span>Arron Afflalo</span> was the only other scorer to reach double-digit points with 15. The team shot 39.3 percent from the field.</p>
<p>The Lakers received big games all around. <span>Pau Gasol</span> led the way with 23 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks. <span>Metta World Peace</span> returned from his seven-game suspension to score 15 points, grab five rebounds, steal the ball four times and make two blocks. <span>Andrew Bynum</span> joined in with 16 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks. <span>Kobe Bryant</span> had a quiet game, of sorts, with 17 points and eight assists. <span>Steve Blake</span> was strong off the bench with 19 points, hitting 5-of-6 threes.</p>
<p>The Lakers will play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> in the next round of the playoffs.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For more in-depth coverage, head over to <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a>. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/12/3017262/nuggets-vs-lakers-final-score-nba-playoffs-2012-game-7-resultsRuss Oates2012-05-12T22:47:12-06:002012-05-12T22:47:12-06:00Nuggets Vs. Lakers Score Update: Denver Narrows Deficit To 69-68
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<p>With the series tied 3-3, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> by only one point heading into the fourth quarter. After a furious comeback late in the third quarter, the Nuggets managed to narrow their deficit to 69-68.</p>
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<b>Related:</b> <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/12/3017204/gif-kobe-bryant-danilo-gallinaris-nba-playoffs/in/2750348">GIF: Kobe Bryant Unties Danilo Gallinari's Shoes</a>
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<p>Midway through the third period, the Lakers had opened a 62-46 lead, but the 16-point deficit began to edge away as PG <span>Ty Lawson</span> (24 pts, 4 ast) caught fire and personally led an 8-2 Nuggets run to bring Denver within 7 points.</p>
<p>SG <span>Kobe Bryant</span>, meanwhile, has gone cold, missing on free throws and showing what may well be signs of fatigue following his <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/10/3012171/kobe-bryant-status-update-lakers-vs-nuggets/in/2750348">earlier illness</a>. Bryant has scored only 14 after scoring 31 and 43 point in the previous two matchups.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For more in-depth coverage, head over to <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a>. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/12/3017232/nuggets-vs-lakers-score-update-game-7Bradley Woodrum2012-05-12T22:32:33-06:002012-05-12T22:32:33-06:00GIF: Kobe Bryant Unties Danilo Gallinari's Shoes
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<p>With the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> currently leading the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> by double digits in the decisive Game 7 of the First Round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, SG <span>Kobe Bryant</span> added insult to injury.</p>
<p>In the third period, with the Lakers starting to pull away, Bryant drove to the net and feigned SF <span>Danilo Gallinari</span> into a massive misdirection -- a moment captured by the SB Nation GIF crew:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1066573/kobeeee.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1066573/kobeeee_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Kobeeee_medium"></a></p>
<p>With a pump-fake pass to his left, Bryant pulled Gallinari out of the lane and into the history books:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1066576/gallo.gif"><img alt="Gallo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1066576/gallo_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 16px;">With time expiring in the third quarter, the Nuggets have reduced the double-digit deficit to just 5 points, led primarily by PG <span>Ty Lawson</span> who sports an impressive 24 points and 4 assists on the day.</span></p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For more in-depth coverage, head over to <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a>. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/12/3017204/gif-kobe-bryant-danilo-gallinaris-nba-playoffsBradley Woodrum2012-05-12T22:06:20-06:002012-05-12T22:06:20-06:00Nuggets Vs. Lakers Score Update: Los Angeles Leads Denver 48-42 At Half
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> are narrowly trailing the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> 48-42 at halftime in the decisive Game 7 of the 7-game series.</p>
<p>PF <span>Pau Gasol</span> has thus far led the Lakers' attack, leading both teams with 13 points -- including a last-minute tip-in before halftime -- and 7 rebounds. Gasol scored only 3 and 9 points in the Lakers' two previous games, both Nuggets wins.</p>
<p>The Nuggets offense, meanwhile, has leaned on the play from PF <span>Al Harrington</span> who managed to score 8 points in only 10 minutes of play. Unfortunately, Harrington -- who refused to wear a mask to protect his broken nose -- took a hit to that sore spot and found himself on the bench with an ice pack:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1066549/nose_1.jpg"><img alt="Nose_1_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1066549/nose_1_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>C <span>JaVale McGee</span>, shooting 0-for-4 from the floor with 5 rebounds and only 2 points, clearly did not enjoy the fast-paced direction the game had turned:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1066552/javaleshake.gif"><img alt="Javaleshake_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1066552/javaleshake_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For more in-depth coverage, head over to <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a>. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/12/3017147/nuggets-vs-lakers-score-updateBradley Woodrum2012-05-12T15:56:24-06:002012-05-12T15:56:24-06:002012 NBA Playoffs, Nuggets Vs. Lakers: Could Mike Brown's Job Be In Jeopardy?
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<p>After winning the past two games to force a Game 7 in their series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> head to Staples Center knowing that all the pressure is on their opponent. Even though the last thing they needed was a distraction away from the court, that is exactly what the Lakers have received in the past 24 hours, with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-magic-johnson-mike-brown-will-be-fired-if-lakers-lose-game-7-to-denver-20120511,0,5236483.story">Magic Johnson saying on ESPN</a> that <span>Mike Brown</span> won't return next year if they fail to advance:</p>
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<p>"They're going to run <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT000011565" title="Mike Brown (basketball)" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/mike-brown-%28basketball%29-PESPT000011565.topic">Mike Brown</a> first out of town," Johnson said as an <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="HOC792" title="ESPN (tv network)" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/espn-%28tv-network%29-HOC792.topic">ESPN</a> <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="15008001" title="National Basketball Association" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/national-basketball-association-15008001.topic">NBA</a> analyst Friday. "Then second will be [<a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT000009250" title="Andrew Bynum" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/andrew-bynum-PESPT000009250.topic">Andrew] Bynum</a>. Then third will be [<a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT002503" title="Pau Gasol" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/pau-gasol-PESPT002503.topic">Pau] Gasol</a>."</p>
<p>"His job will go," Johnson said. "The Lakers are about championships. That's what the Lakers are about. If they lose this game, Mike Brown, I bet you, will not be sitting there."</p>
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<p>It should be noted that Johnson no longer has any ownership stake in the Lakers, but remains a Vice-President with the organization. If the Nuggets can pull off the remarkable upset it could lead to a fascinating offseason in Southern California.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For more in-depth coverage, head over to <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a>. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/12/3016664/2012-nba-playoffs-nuggets-vs-lakers-could-mike-browns-job-be-inMax Mandel2012-05-12T06:00:59-06:002012-05-12T06:00:59-06:002012 NBA Playoffs, Lakers Vs. Nuggets Game 7: Game Time, TV Schedule And More
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> are one game away from advancing to Western Conference semifinals -- or they are just one game away from being out of the 2012 NBA Playoffs all together. On Saturday night at the Staples Center, the Nuggets and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> tip-off for the right to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>.</p>
<p>The Nuggets have won the last two games, one away and one home. In the former, the Nuggets held off a <span>Kobe Bryant</span> 43-point assault. In the latter, the Nuggets came out blazing with a 13-0 run to start the game and contained a sick Kobe Bryant.</p>
<p>The Lakers, though, will receive reinforcement for this game with the return of <span>Metta World Peace</span>. His seven-game suspension for elbowing has ended, giving much soothing comfort to Kobe Bryant. Will <span>Andrew Bynum</span> finally have that close-out game he talked about earlier in the series?</p>
<p>Watch out for <span>Kenneth Faried</span>, who played at full intensity in Game 6. <span>George Karl</span> will certainly turn to him for that kind of play once again.</p>
<p><b>Game time/date</b>: 8:30 p.m. MT, Saturday, May 12, 2012</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: TNT</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For more in-depth coverage, head over to <a href="http://denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a>. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/5/12/3015569/nuggets-vs-lakers-2012-nba-playoffs-game-7Russ Oates