In playoff series, you go with your most, effective players. But, George Karl had a different view. His best, three-point shooter, Linas Kleiza repeatedly go “frozen out” on transition threes and passes out of double teams.

Kleiza shot 53% in the Western Conference finals. However, he found NO ONE, NO ONE to pass him the ball. This coaching bungle led to Los Angeles trouncing Denver 119-92.

It was a disappointing end to one of most dominating, playoff runs in recent history. Before tonight, Denver averaged a +14 scoring margin on their opponents. They destroyed New Orleans and Dallas in two, consective 4-1 series wins. However, they met a more dangerous opponent in L.A.

Kobe Bryant said that he wanted to “cut up” the Denver in Game 6. He cut them up. Pau Gasol carved them up. Trevor Ariza lit them up from the perimeter. And the Laker front line “D-ed” up the Nuggets best players, Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony... finally.

From the first four games, they beat up, frustrated and perplexed the Lakers. They defanged the “Black Mamba”; reducing him to grabbing at his knees and gasping in post-game interviews. The Nuggets athletic frontline of “The Birdman”, Nene and Kenyon Martin intimidated Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.

Nevertheless, they played a near-perfect, fourth quarter in Game 5 and carried the momentum in the closeout Game 6. Bryant accumulated 35 points and 10 assists. Gasol, Ariza and Odom combined for 57 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists.

The key for victory was for Denver to space the floor with shooters and make L.A. play defense honestly. Karl kept feeding a struggling Billups and Anthony to the paint. Martin kept shooting flat jumpers with no arc. Nene kept throwing up contested layups. And neither player bothered to defend their man.

The best shooter, Kleiza made six points (all in the 4th quarter) and 2-4 for the game. Game over, series over.