Western Conference Preview - Denver Nuggets vs. LA Lakers

Just incase you don't know what is going on in the basketball world, we are down to the final four. The defending champs are out, the MVP hasn't lost a game in the playoffs and the team that everyone thought would win the title was just taken to a game 7.

Here is a breakdown of the conference finals by position;

Western Conference - Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Center: Andrew Bynum of the Lakers against Nene of the Nuggets. Bynum was and is supposed to the be the phenom at center, however between injuries and partying at the Playboy mansion he hasn't lived up to the hype. He went scoreless in 3 of the games vs. Houston. Nene is having one of his best years ever. A force on the inside and with other players that can play center such as Kenyon Martin and Chris Anderson, the Nuggets have lots of good options. Advantage - Nuggets

Forward: Pau Gasol and Trevor Ariza for the Lakers will wage battle against Kenyon Martin and Carmelo Anthony. This will be a great match-up. Kenyon Martin will put the body on Gasol and try to get him off his game, while Ariza will need to play stellar defense so that Carmelo is slowed down from getting his 27 points per game. Lamar Odom for the Lakers and Chris Anderson/Linas Kleiza will be the big factors off very short benches. Advantage - Nuggets

Guard: Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant for the Lakers and Dhantay Jones and Chauncey Billups for the Nuggets. Without a doubt the best player of the series is in this group - Kobe Bryant. Everyone knows as he goes so do the Lakers. Kobe turns it on when the Lakers need him the most and they will need him if the Lakers look to return to the finals. Billups is Mr. Big Shot, he turned the Nuggets season around when he was traded from the Pistons and has them to the conference finals for the first time since 1985. The X factor in this group is JR Smith. Energy and shooting off the bench. He will be counted on to fill up the basket and run the Lakers off the court. Advantage - Lakers

Coaching: Phil Jackson for the Lakers and George Karl for the Nuggets. Both have been at the game a long time. Jackson has 9 championship rings to show off, Karl wore a jersey while coaching last season. Jackson gives his players inspirational readings, Karl makes certain his players aren't taking drugs. Different personalities, different styles, but both effective with their teams. Advantage - Lakers

Overall: Kobe Bryant is the guy who showed LeBron James what it takes to win at the highest level while they played together on the Olympic team. He also played with Carmelo, the people in Denver hope that Carmelo Anthony learned what it took to be a champion also. It will be a fast paced series, with high scoring games, the Nuggets will give the Lakers a run, but fall short. Lakers in 7.