It’s the only word to describe the Lakers performance tonight. A simply devastating display that started with too many turnovers but then blossomed into beautiful team Basketball that had Denver fans heading home early.

Pau Gasol got what he asked for with more touches inside, and he made the right move nearly every time. The Lakers would be crazy not to ride the Gasol/Kobe train all the way to a street parade/riot.

Pau made jumpers, hooks, dunks and layups almost uncontested for the most part. “Sure, he hits them when he’s open” I hear people think, but it’s how he got so open that was the most impressive/disappointing. The movement off the ball and the horrible defensive effort by the Nuggets paved the way for a second half butchery not seen since the Lakers tossed the Celtics’ salad in Game 6 last June.

It was as if the Nuggets, who have been complimented with being “front-runners” this postseason, just couldn’t get up for the big game. They had small moments of brilliance including an 8-0 run in the third. The damage however had already been done.

Carmello didn’t show up tonight and George Karl didn’t help by benching his superstar earlier and for longer than normal in the third. Carmello didn’t re-appear until early in the 4th. Some Denver fans must still be in shock.

Kobe Bryant performed at the highest level tonight. Scoring when needed and in bunches, he also led the game with 10 assists. His 9 of 9 from the charity stripe was also key, with the remainder of the Lakers combining for.. wait, 100%. Free throw shooting had plagued the Lakers during this Playoffs but hitting 24 of 24 from the line to accompany 57% from the field and the reason for the 27 point annihilation starts to become apparent.

The tone was defnitely set early by Trevor Ariza who hit three triples in the first quarter and ended the half with 13 points. Pau and Kobe took over in the third and fourth quarters. A few punctuation marks from Luke Walton and Lamar Odom tucked the Nuggets in bed for the offseason.

A great win but more importantly a great team win by the Lakers. Kobe was still “doin’ work” when he needed to but it all came in the flow of the offense.

If Orlando wins tomorrow, the Lakers will have home court advantage for the Finals. If the Cavaliers win, the Lakers get a rest. Even if Cleveland comes back to win the East, I would be very surprised if the Lakers don’t win it all now.

Plenty of people would see it differently.