Why Do The Denver Nuggets Beat Juggernauts, Lose To Scrubs? It's Like That...and that's the way it is.

Unemployment at a record high.....people coming, people going, people born to die.

Don't ask me because I don't know why....It's Like That.... and that's the way it is.        -(Run DMC)

For some reason, those of you who had a younger sibling who you taught to play basketball never believed they would beat you.  If it was a little brother, it wasn't as hard to include a timely push or shove (or elbow) because parents often freely allow you to beat on your little brother (ask Cheryl Miller).

If you are playing your little sister, just due to her physical differences you never expected to lose that game.  Nothing in the fiber of your DNA would bring you to play 100% against that sibling because it simply felt unnecessary going into battle.

For some inexplicable reason, this younger sibling dynamic rears its ugly head any time a professional athlete, that doesn't possess the murderer gene, takes on a competitor that they are certain they can beat.  Why?
It's like that....and that's the way it is.

Its also like that murderer gene thing I just mentioned.  For some reason there are guys who are as friendly as you can imagine on the court, ala Earvin "Magic" Johnson, but will kindly rip your heart out in the field of battle, as Magic often did to opponents. Why? It's like that...and that's the way it is.

The Denver Nuggets didn't beat the Miami Heat a few nights ago and the blazing hot Los Angeles Clippers last night because they got lucky.  That little brother usually catches up eventually.  In fact, at some point he typically passes the elder siblings because its like that.....and that's the way it is.

These Denver Nuggets shall someday soon become the big brother like they are most nights against every team not in the championship hunt (every team).  Denver may not be the smart, energetic, hard working big brother on most nights, but they display a physical dominance on the court that is as undeniable as it is frustrating (for opponents and Nugget fans alike).....but that's the way it is.

Denver did not set a record last season with games won simply because they had talent.  George Karl is a Hall of Fame coach.....period.  On the other hand, Karl wasn't simply working magic either or he would have saved a trick or two for the playoffs. Karl had lots of talent, and despite the roster challenges that Brian Shaw endured, he too has plenty of talent for the task at hand (as long as Lawson is healthy and shows up).  In the end, the old adage of it being about the talent making good coaches is true to this extent;  no matter how good you are, and all of these guys are good, only the heart snatchers win championships.

When the Dallas Mavericks snatched the heart out of Miami three season's ago, it was the catalyst that Lebron used to become a heart snatcher himself.  What Karl could not give his team was the vicious determination that coaches who understand provide.  I realize that such a characterization is graphic and a bit gruesome, but my words pale to the grind of winning it all.  In the end, champions realize that they will ultimately have to remove the heart of a competitor who keeps reaching for something  you've laid claim to.....because that's is just the way it is.

Brian Shaw looks like a really nice guy when you stare him in the face.  But if you peer into his soul there is the ferocity of a murderer.  If you ever get the chance to see at his 5 championship rings (3 as a player), look beneath his fingernails.....I am sure you will find the blood of a few hearts.