2009 NBA Playoffs: Denver Nuggets Vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions

The Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks will begin their 2-6 Western Conference Semifinals matchup at Denver on Sunday, May 3. This series pits a rising 54 - 28 Denver Nuggets organization versus an aging Dallas Mavericks club seeking to manufacture one last NBA Finals run. Although these games will captivate basketball fanatics - I feel that the majority of NBA Playoff series going forward will be overshadowed by the first round Bulls - Celtics masterpiece.

Still, the beat goes on.

The Denver Nuggets will swagger into this series as the hottest team in the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets clamped down, bullied, and frustrated the other worldly Chris Paul in the first round and trounced the New Orleans Hornets 4 games to 1.

Chauncey Billups, the self proclaimed "57 Chevy" is running on all cylinders with this new look club. The Denver Nuggets actually execute half court sets, rather than last year's "just get the ball to A.I. or Melo and stand around" experiment. Furious George Karl's mercurial bunch is indeed, a joy to watch.

The Dallas Mavericks somehow slipped underneath the radar in spite of 50 wins this season. Still, the underdog Mavs advanced by defeating their arch nemesis San Antonio Spurs in 5 games. Although Tony Parker ran wild, his superior play simply could not overcome the loss of Manu Ginobili and an aging Tim Duncan. The Big Fundamental has lost measurable amounts of lateral quickness and explosion around the basket.

Denver is no San Antonio. The white hot Nuggets are peaking at the right moment and Dallas will have its hands full upon all fronts to compete. These are the key match ups that will determine the outcome of this 2009 Western Conference Semifinal bracket:

#3 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver - Dallas Key Match up: Carmelo Anthony vs. Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James vs. Dwyane Wade

Yes, Carmelo Anthony and his Denver Nuggets have finally escaped the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Of course, Basketball Nation and Melo his own self must demand more. Anthony must note that his status amidst the NBA elite has crashed and burned over the years.

We were all once captivated by this wunderkind freshman that powered his Syracuse Orangemen through the NCAA Tournament. The fairy tale championship then set the stage for the Melo vs. LeBron debate that was to dominate modern basketball.

Well, Melo vs. LeBron has shifted towards LeBron vs. Kobe vs. Wade.

While these superstars advanced to the NBA Finals in years past - Carmelo Anthony was brawling, getting caught with marijuana (James Cunningham took responsibility), and being ticketed with D.U.I.'s. Melo must rehabilitate this image to claim his rightful seat atop the NBA pinnacle.

Winning will do that.

#3 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver - Dallas Key Match up: Carmelo Anthony vs. Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James vs. Dwyane Wade

Advantage: Carmelo Anthony and Denver Nuggets

#2 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver - Dallas Key Match up: Nuggets J.R. Smith vs. Mavericks Jason Terry

These two players are backups in name only.

J.R. Smith is an explosive scorer that could start anywhere in the League and Jason "The Jet" Terry is a former starter that has accepted his reserve role to make room for Jason Kidd. In fact, these second round adversaries finished one-two per 2008-2009 Sixth Man of the Year award voting. Terry was to actually win the crown by averaging 20 points per game throughout the regular season.

Terry is capable of playing both backcourt positions and the Mavericks are versatile enough to go small with a three guard lineup featuring Terry, Jason Kidd, J.J. Berea, and Dirk at center. American Airlines arena will also get into the act - ignited by Terry's outrageous jet swoop act following a clutch score.

J.R. Smith is a pure scorer. Period.

J.R. "Swish" may catch fire at any moment, launch bombs from half court, and drop 50 upon any given night. Smith is never short of confidence and every Nuggets run seems to be punctuated with this shooting guard hitting yet another dagger three. Of course, the live by the three die by the three cliche always holds to form.

J.R. Smith's shot selection borders upon absolutely atrocious and the streaky player will shoot the Nuggets right out of the game when his jumper inevitably runs cold.

#2 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver - Dallas Key Match up: Nuggets J.R. Smith vs. Mavericks Jason Terry

Advantage: Jason Terry and the Dallas Mavericks

#1 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver - Dallas Key Match up: Nuggets Kenyon Martin vs. Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki

Kenyon Martin is a menacing defender that is showing flashes of the explosion that was a trademark of his early career prior to the injuries. K-Mart has always been an undersized power forward that must rely upon tenacity, quickness, and intimidation to compete against towering bigs. Kenyon Martin took David West out of his game in the first round.

West shot a meager 40% from the floor and was a complete non-factor as a rebounder and shot blocker. Martin set the physical tone of the Denver - New Orleans first round series and upped the ante for the entire Nuggets roster defensively. In particular, Dahntay Jones fed off of this intensity and has emerged as the latest Western Conference wing defender mercenary.

Dirk Nowitzki has always had trouble with undersized, aggressive defenders. Bruce Bowen, Tracy McGrady, Stephen Jackson, and Matt Barnes have all given Nowitzki fits by bodying him up, harassing him around the floor, and forcing themselves into his legs and body as he elevates for jump shots.

Of course, Nowtizki is a competitor and has added a quirky post game from the top of the key to his repertoire, so that he may effectively duel with these scrappy forwards. The 7'0 power forward also appears to finally enjoy the game of basketball following consecutive debacles in the 2006 NBA Finals and 2007 first round NBA Playoffs versus the Warriors.

Still, I must foreshadow that Kenyon Martin and Chris "Birdman" Andersen will have Dirk Nowitzki revisiting his Golden State House of Horrors at Denver.

#2 2009 NBA Playoffs Denver - Dallas Key Match up: Nuggets Kenyon Martin vs. Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki

Advantage: Kenyon Martin and the Denver Nuggets

2009 NBA Playoffs: Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks Prediction:

Denver Nuggets - 4

Dallas Mavericks - 2

Denver is on a collision course with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Western Conference Finals. I am more so excited to watch Jason "The Jet" Terry and Chris "Birdman" Andersen upstage each other by using their quirky celebration routines to prepare for takeoff.

2009 NBA Playoffs: Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview and Predictions, Sources:

The Official Web Site of the NBA, http://www.nba.com/playoffs2009/

The Official Web Site of the Denver Nuggets, http://www.nba.com/nuggets/features/playoffs_splash_2009.html

The Official Web Site of the Dallas Mavericks, http://www.nba.com/mavericks/matchup/Mavericks_2009_Playoffs.html