[Izulde]

Will Third Time Be Golden Charm For Nuggets?

Never in the history of the NBA have the same two teams met three years in a row for the NBA championship trophy. Even the famed Celtics/Lakers rivalry of the 80s, Boston and Los Angeles never played each three consecutive times. The Celtics teams of late 50s to the 60s, even when they won 11 titles in 13 years and won 8 straight consecutive champions, never had the same opponent three consecutive years, although they did play the Lakers six out of eight seasons (1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967 and 1968).

Thus history is being made in this Finals series, when the Toronto Raptors and the Denver Nuggets face off for the trophy. And there is yet more potential history brewing. Toronto seeks to become the first team since the Lakers of 1999, 2000 and 2001 to win three straight titles, a feat also achieved by the Chicago Bulls of 1990-1993 and 1995-1997, the 1958-1965 Celtics and the Minneapolis Lakers of 1951-1953.

Conversely, Denver's trying to avoid joining the ranks of teams who have lost in three straight Finals appearances, a feat ignobly achieved by the 1950-1952 New York Knicks and the 1967-1969 Los Angeles Lakers. In short, the Nuggets would become the first threepeating losers in nearly 50 years, a distinction they frantically hope not to make.

Few will forget the 2015 Finals, when the Nuggets, riding sensational performances from their brilliant backcourt of Zelipe Gama and Mateen Yeaton, pushed the Raptors to a stunning seven games before losing in Denver. The performance was all the more miraculous for Denver's starting 39 year old SF Antawn Jamison at C after Tim Davis was lost with a torn ACL.

2016 witnessed the rise of 21 year old Justin Richler into superstardom, the homegrown Canadian atop the crest of a Toronto tidal wave that crushed the Nuggets and led to a repeat title in six games. Denver tried to respond with the magnificience of Yeaton and passionate play from Emeka Okafor, who had a postseason for the ages last year, but it wasn't enough. That series was also marked by rampant nationalism on both sides, giving it an Olympic feel. Davis, too, was not present on that Nuggets team, for he'd been traded to the Lakers at the deadline.

Now it's 2017 and while the story has yet to be written, one plotline immediately stands out. For the first time, the mammoth Davis will appear in the Finals wearing the powder blue of the Nuggets. He could have a Richleresque effect, but that of course remains to be seen.

Point Guard
Zelipe Gama vs. Justin Richler
Gama was lambasted around the country for his disappearing act in last year's Finals, but the Spainard continues to be an excellent setter. We're viewing last year's flameout as an aberration, as he's currently averaging 11.3 points, 12.3 assists, 4.1 steals, 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks in the playoffs.

A lot of people wondered what was going to happen when T.J. Ford finally retired or left the team and the answer is Richler, a somewhat surprising move considering he's not a good fit to play the point. His scoring numbers are way down in this year's postseason, just 19.6 points, 5.6 assists and 1.3 steals. Richler's A/TO ratio - 1.7 Gama's A/TO ratio - 4.5. That right there makes this far a more even position matchup than what some might think.

Advantage: Draw

Shooting Guard
Mateen Yeaton vs. Rico Wolfe
An angry Yeaton really broke out against the Spurs and he should be primed to do continue that against the Raptors. Averaging 26.3 points, 1.9 steals and 1.9 blocks in the postseason, he'll continue to be the focal point of Denver's offense. Incidentally, he's also in the last year of his contract next season and our thinking is that GM Jestor will lock his favorite player down for the rest of his career.

Wolfe is actually much better suited to run the point than Richler, but Toronto's putting him here because at 6'8, 190 lbs, he's the exact same height and weight as Yeaton and a pretty good defender. While Wolfe's been averaging 10.6 points, 5.9 assists and 1.3 steals in the playoffs, his role in this series is going to be to limit the amount of damage that Yeaton does to the Raptors. Smart move, on the balance of it.

Advantage: Nuggets

Small Forward
Ron Collier vs. David Anyan
The merry-go-round at Denver's SF spot goes back to Collier, who in his first-ever postseason is averaging 9.3 points and a whole lot of nothing else. He's also shooting just 40% on the nose and if the Nuggets want to have a chance to win the title and get the dino off their back, they need him to step up and contribute the points that he's capable of.

Anyan has been nothing short of sensational this year, averaging 24.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 blocks. He may only be 6'6 204, but he plays big. In addition to his scoring and rebounding talents, he's a great shotblocker and a terrific defender who should be able to keep Collier's contributions to a minimum.

Advantage: Raptors

Power Forward
Marcelino Augusto vs. Chris Bosh
Great matchup at PF, where you have the celebrated 19 year old Brazilian rookie in Augusto against the wily 33 year old veteran Bosh. Augusto's an inch shorter, but he's much more muscular and he has the athleticism of youth on his side. He's averaging 15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in the playoffs and has been a major part of the Nuggets' continued success, both in the regular season and the postseason.

Bosh sure doesn't look 33 on the court, as he's been averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks thus far in the playoffs. Experience and far better defense probably give Toronto the edge here on two players that are otherwise very evenly matched. This is going to be one of the pivotal matchups of the Finals. If Bosh can contain Augusto like he has the ability, this thing could be over in a hurry.

Advantage: Raptors

Center
Tim Davis vs. Greg Oden
For all the accusations of playing soft throughout the playoffs, Davis actually showed some toughness against Yao Ming in the West Conference finals. 15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds a game in the postseason aren't any great shakes, but if he can just stand his 7'3, 294 body in the way of Oden and activate some of his defensive potential, he could be a force inside.

Of course, Oden is one of the singlemost intelligent players in the league. He knows his role in the Raptors scheme and executes it to perfection. He's also an A-list defender and rebounder and he can put the clamps on Davis in a hurry. 12.9 points, 14.2 rebounds and 2.5 postseason blocks may not look all that sexy, but he doesn't need to be the man on this loaded Toronto team.

Advantage: Raptors

Bench
Michael Redd hasn't lost his missionary zeal, averaging 9.3 points in the playoffs and he quests for the biggest hole missing in his illustrious resume: a ring. Emeka Okafor hunts for the same and is averaging 5.2 points and 4.5 rebounds while still playing tough, lockdown defense. David Jackson had a miserable outing against San Antonio, but he's still averaging 7.9 points and 6 rebounds and will give the Raptors someone to think about.

Is Andrea Bargnani upset about being banished to the bench? Not at all, unlike when Bosh pitched a fit a few seasons ago. He's quite content to average 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in the playoffs as the team's 6th man, even if he could start for at least half the NBA's franchises, including, incidentally, the Nuggets. Kobe Bryant is the answer to Redd, averaging 5.9 playoff points as a 39 year old. Beyond that, however, the Raptors bench is woefully thin.

Advantage: Nuggets

Final Thoughts
This Finals comes down to the Nuggets terrific backcourt and depth versus the Raptors' otherwordly front line, a front line that has dominated the league for virtually this entire decade. We see all the makings here of another classic, a seven-game tilt that will go to the Raptors with their home edge in Toronto.
Prediction: Raptors in 7

I figured they'd say as much, but at least they think we can give it a good go. How do I think we'll do? Still too close to call, but I think there's a chance, however flickering it may be.

Game One
The mass of Canadian flags from last season are gone this year. Instead, there's just a sea of purple and red Richler and Oden jerseys greeting us. I like it better that way; no nationalism going on, just fans of the NBA's two best teams cheering on their beloved franchises. ....And of course, everyone else who's taken an interest in this history-making championship series. The crowd's no less frenzied than last year however and the Raptors race out swiftly. David Anyan is absolutely incredible out on the court, with 39 points and 11 rebounds. Justin Richler scores 20 and Toronto also gets double-doubles from Chris Bosh and Greg Oden at 15 points, 14 rebounds and 13 points, 12 rebounds respectively. It's a dinosaur rampage and though Mateen Yeaton valiantly plays to 26 points, Zelipe Gama his second with 14 points and 13 assists and Emeka Okafor coming off the bench for 10 points, we're crushed in the stampede.
Final - Denver 102 Toronto 114

Game Two
A split would be great, but I know we're more realistically looking at a 2-0 deficit after tonight's game. It goes worse than I thought. Game 1, we were at least competitive. Here, Tim Davis scratches his way to 14 points and 12 rebounds and David Jackson scores 12 off the bench. That's it. No contest as David Anyan and Justin Richler score 25 and 26 points a piece, Andrea Bargnani scores 13 to lead the Raptors reserves and Toronto pulls a switchup, inserting Greg Oden at PF and Chris Bosh at C in the starting lineup. Bosh batters his way to 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Oden pretzels Marcelino Augusto into a 4 for 14 night. Brilliant chess move the Raptors staff. This could well be a sweep.
Final - Denver 78 Toronto 105

Game Three
The decibel level in Denver is incredible and this year, there's flags galore. Not just American ones, but Spanish and Brazilian ones, too. Some of the latter, as you might expect, are wearing their old Paulinho Buboltz jerseys. It doesn't matter that we traded their hero away because they're chanting for us to win. There's even a group of Australians who flew in just for this Finals, screaming at the top of their lungs for a Denver victory. The noise level gives us a free 6th man on the court, but the Raptors aren't going to let up. Chris Bosh, still playing at C, tears us apart for 29 points and 13 rebounds and Justin Richler shoots like he's got ice in his veins, finishing with 30 points. We counter it with 24 points a piece from Tim Davis and Marcelino Augusto, who stunningly breaks the Oden hold and unbelievable play from our bench. Emeka Okafor had 10 points and 8 rebounds, David Jackson just missing a double-digit with 9 points and 6 rebounds. More importantly, both singlehandedly bested the Raptors bench, which scored a grand total of 6 points... all from Andrea Bargnani. It's also the first game of the series that we hold David Anyan to under 20 points, as he shoots 30% on the night. It all adds up to a wonderful 21 point win that gives us new life and new possibility. No sweep. No repeat of 2010. Not this year.
Final - Toronto 100 Denver 121

Game Four
Everyone's clamoring for a split after tonight and the noise level at the start of the game is so intense, people claimed the next day they could feel the vibrations from three miles away. Mateen Yeaton scores 20 points and we again get a ton of production out of our bench, headlined by 12 points from Michael Redd. But these Raptors are hungry to make history and David Anyan and Justin Richler both play out of their minds, 30 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks and a steal for Anyan, 30 points and 10 assists for Richler. Greg Oden gets 10 points and 13 rebounds, still playing PF, still hammering Marcelino Augusto, who shot a withering 2 for 10 against the huge, skilled Raptor center in masquerade. 3-1 and I think the life's run out of us.
Final - Toronto 105 Denver 84

Game Five
Last chance for one last dance. Last home game of the year, no matter what the result. But the crowd's not nearly as emphatic as they were the first two games... not nearly as emphatic, that is, until we hold the Raptors to an embarassing 28.2% from the field and not a single Toronto statistical star of note. Hence, it's with glee that Marcelino Augusto breaks out of the Oden Trap for 16 points and 13 rebounds and Kirk Hinrich and Michael Redd scoff at age with 12 points, 11 assists and 10 points respectively off the balance. It's balanced offense, unbelievable defense and a shocking 33 point victory that cuts the Raptors lead to 3-2.
Final - Toronto 72 Denver 105

Game Six
As thrilled as I am that we won to force a Game Six, I know the Raptors are pissed and looking for revenge. We took them to six games last year and I fear it'll be the same result this season. I mean, how it's going to look to a team seeking to be considered one of the great dynasties of the ages when they shot 28.2% in a championship series game, one that would've won them the title? What follows is the exact reverse of Game 5. Not a single Nugget showing statistical significance as we shoot 36.3% and the Raptors ride a balanced offense, led in scoring with 17 points by benchman Andrea Bargnani. Kobe Bryant scored 11 off the bench as well, Toronto taking the trophy in even greater measure thanks to 14 points and 11 rebounds from David Anyan and 12 points and 14 rebounds from Greg Oden, who was restored to C for this sixth game as the Raptors ended being cute and reverted back to normal.
Final - Denver 78 Toronto 99

As I join the team for their solemn, disappointed huddle in the locker room, I find myself staring at the lockers of Tim Davis and Ron Collier.

Neither one will be back next year. I don't know if it's the right answer or not, but I feel like it is.

Three straight losses. The disheartening thing is, with as bad as the West is right now, we could come back here next year and become the only team in NBA history to lose four consecutive Finals.

Time to go drinking and erase this dull ache in my body.