All I know is that the talk in the Denver Nuggets locker room is that they feel like they should have beaten the Lakers last year in the Western Conference finals. If you look at the Nuggets roster for this years 2009-2010 season, you won't see much of a change, except for a few role players like Linas Kleiza and Dahntay Jones. That's because Coach George Karl believes that his team kept pretty much intact should be incentivized by the fact that they almost beat the reigning NBA Champs.

So, what does this have to do with the Utah Jazz? Well, for starters the Jazz have some significant similarities to the Nuggets. The Jazz too start the new season with a fairly intact team from last year. Now I know what your thinking, (It's different because Boozer doesn't want to be in Utah.) Well, I beg to differ! Carlos Boozer, regardless of what he may have stated earlier or what you have heard from the rumor mill, wants to be here in Utah. Why? Because he can't be anywhere else. This level of basketball is not so much about loyalty by its players as it is about making the best business deal you can. The loyalty comes when there are no other options and you have a responsibility to perform at the best of your ability to the team in which you are contracted to play for. If a team can trade you at any time they wish without your consent, is it surprising that players in turn try to put themselves in the best possible situation they can?
Now, I'm not defending the way that Carlos when about it, but my point is that, this is the nature of the business of basketball! Okay, enough about Carlos! (I digress)

The match up tonight between the Jazz and the Nuggets will prove to be an important gauge for a few reasons. The obvious being that both are contending for a chance at the Western Conference Finals. The other is that the Jazz for a few years now have really struggled to find the swagger they need to win in a hostile environment. You will hear a lot of talk from the team's players about becoming a better defensive road team. Hopefully not as much as last year where the team had a dismal 15-26 record away from home.

I for one love the Jazz's chances this year to improve their overall record for a few reasons. Deron Williams is the consummate leader. He wants to win in a bad way and knows that with the talent around him, it can be done! Paul Milsap, is the happiest man in Utah and will play like it. (That's the loyalty thing I was talking about) Memo has added some new moves to his inside game...Look for the sky hook to return to NBA basketball!!!! A.K.-47 is 20lbs. thicker and will have a bigger impact on the defensive end, and Carlos Boozer has a huge incentive not just to play well himself but to translate his desire into wins for the team.

The keys for tonight: The Jazz really have to be Proactive and not Reactive. This will be a physical battle with a Nuggets team that feels it has something to prove right away. K-Mart & The Bird Man will be their hit men. Look to see whose butt hits the hardwood first!

I'll keep you posted!