Dallas / Fort Worth Local News

Nuggets Ponder Domination Of Dallas In Playoffs

DENVER (AP) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: A fan of the Denver Nuggets holds up a sign against the New Orleans Hornets during Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center.
Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images

Close

numSlides of totalImages

Related Links

Now that the Denver Nuggets have won a playoff series for the first time in 15 years, the big question is what to make of their season sweep of their next opponent, the Dallas Mavericks.

Does it foreshadow anything? Reveal something? Mean much at all?

"A lot, it means a lot," suggested Carmelo Anthony after experiencing success in the playoffs for the first time since leading Syracuse to the 2003 national championship. "Any time you can beat a team 4-0 in the regular season, it sticks with you. I'm pretty sure they're going to come out fired up with that in the back of their minds. But in the playoffs everything starts off fresh and we're going to be prepared for that."

Chauncey Billups said Denver's domination of Dallas in the regular season means nothing now.

"We had some success against them in the regular season, but they're a lot different," Billups said. "They're probably one of the hotter teams in the NBA right now, in the playoffs. The 4-0 record that we had during the regular season doesn't count at all. It's the playoffs. It's 0-0 right now."

Billups noted that Josh Howard wasn't as healthy in the regular season as he is now.

"He's an All-Star. He's back healthy and playing really well. I think they're playing with so much confidence right now as a team," Billups said. "They're very well coached, got a great point guard (in Jason Kidd) that can run the show and get people shots and do what he has to do."

Nuggets coach George Karl, whose team advanced out of the first round for the first timentless defense to open up their offense. J.R. Smith toned down his wild and crazy play with some spectacular stretches. Dahntay Jones excelled on both ends of the court while stifling All-Star Chris Paul, the NBA's top point guard.

And Billups was Billups, setting the tone with otherworldly performances in Games 1 and 2.

Karl said he thinks Anthony, in particular, will play looser now that he's gotten past being first-round fodder.

Anthony already looks more relaxed.

"I've got a gorilla off my back," he explained.

Advancing to the second round meant a lot to everyone in the organization, but especially to four Nuggets who triumphed over personal drawbacks.

Nene overcame testicular cancer that threatened his livelihood and his life, Andersen bounced back after a two-year drug suspension and Martin's fantastic year followed a spate of setbacks, including microfracture surgery on both knees and a bad back. Smith came back after a fatal car accident that claimed the life one of his closest friends.

All the tragedies and tribulations were pushed aside for a few moments Tuesday night when the Nuggets rejoiced over their accomplishment that was several frustratingly long years in the making.

"It's a great feeling," Smith said.

So great that he broke the cardinal rule of not looking too far ahead, declaring: "I can't wait until we get to the finals."