The NBA is down to it’s Final Four teams with one conference Final best-of-seven clearly stealing the spotlight from the other.

With all due respect to the Flying Lebrons, aka the Cleveland Cavaliers, and so-called Superman (Dwight Howard) and the Orlando Magic, most of my interest lies out West.

The Lakers and Nuggets emerged from the regular season as the top two seeds in the Western Conference and from all the pre-series chatter, this looks to be very competitive and hard-fought.

Los Angeles has the home-court advantage, although I see them giving it away by losing one of the first two games. The Lakers have shown a propensity to not show up this postseason.

Matchup-wise, Denver will have to get big efforts from its’ big players. I think the series will turn on Nene, Birdman, Kenyon Martin, and even the underrated Linas Kleiza.

If the Nuggets’ interior players neutralize Pau Gasol, intimidate Andrew Bynum, and frustrate lamar Odom with their athleticism then they have a much better chance at winning.

Kobe Bryant is more than an X-factor; he’s the A-Z factor. He is their alpha and omega and there will be times in all games that he will take over. He’ll single-handedly win 2 games by himself.

Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony will play well and carry Denver to three wins. I see the series coming down to a game 7 showdown in L.A. and the experience of the Lakers will win out.

That said, it’s all Denver all the time in our house, hoping against hope they can beat L.A.