NEW YORK — Undersized market. Unsightly tattoos. Unadulterated threat to come out of the West and reach the Supreme Court for the first time since the sphere of influence was red, white and blue (1976) and their coach was known simply as Twin Town Brown.

Meanwhile, Denver's pair of five-game frolics over New Orleans and Dallas has it primed to play for a conference conquest for the first time since 1985 . . . or, if you're Dan Issel, two dozen Cinco de Mayos ago.

The Nuggets' dismantling of the Mavericks was so complete, the league felt obligated to apologize for not vetoing such a mismatch.