How bad do they want it?

After watching Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals Sunday night, something occured to me: this series is starting to look more like the Lakers/Houston series.

Remember the way Los Angeles played in Game 4 of that series? They didn't show up! They got owned by a 6-foot point guard and were pretty much out of contention halfway through the first quarter.

Well, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers were owned by a pair of Denver guards who scored 24 points each, one coming off the bench.

All in all, this game showed us what the Denver Nuggets can do if they just put their minds to it. The Lakers should be concerned, because Carmelo Anthony wasn't even that much of a factor.

Anthony, who was dealing with flu-like symptoms, struggled from the floor all night (3-16 FG shooting) and ended with 15 points. Imagine how much worse L.A. would have looked if he had hit even half of those shots.

J.R. Smith was undoubtedly the player of the game, scoring 24 points off the bench, making huge assists in the second quarter and hitting 4-7 three-pointers in the second half. He definitely provided a spark that Denver needed to catch fire.

Chris Andersen (Birdman) definitely had his share of great moments as well, making his presence known with a few big dunks and one huge block on a Lamar Odom layup.

Chauncey Billups had his way too, by constantly attacking the basket and making it to the foul line, where he hit every free throw he attempted.

When all was said and done, seven Denver players scored in double figures, including all five starters, and bench players Smith and Linas Kleiza, who has terrorized L.A. with his precise three-point shooting.

The only Lakers who bothered to show up for Game 4 were the two who are expected to give good performances day in and day out.

Kobe Bryant had 34 points, but decided to attempt 10 three-point shots, in which he made only two. Bryant did help with seven rebounds and five assists.

Pau Gasol was probably the most effective player for Los Angeles, with 21 points on 8-11 shooting, with 10 rebounds and four assists.

One problem for the Lakers was foul trouble. At game's end, Odom, Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza had five personal fouls each. Luke Walton fouled out in just 13 minutes of play and didn't score a single point. He single-handedly cost the Lakers in the second half with stupid penalties that gave the Nuggets a chance to extend their lead once again.

The second was their passiveness. The Lakers were dominated on the boards 58-40. Kenyon Martin (who was called for a technical in which he should have known better) grabbed 15 rebounds, Andersen added 14 off the bench and Nene collected 13, including seven offensive rebounds which gave Denver huge second half opportunities (These three alone out-rebounded the Lakers).

The Lakers were bullied by the Nuggets in Game 4 and it showed in a 120-101 loss. The Lakers won't make the Finals when their defense gives up that many points along with 20 offensive rebounds.

Bottom line is that the Lakers need to figure out which team they really are. We've seen them go back and forth between great and lousy throughout the last two rounds of these playoffs.

Everyone makes this year about Kobe vs. LeBron James in the finals, but if the Lakers continue to be this inconsistent on defense (and if the Orlando Magic continue to shut down LeBron's support in Cleveland), this year could be Anthony/Billups vs. Howard/Lewis.

At this point in time, it doesn't seem so far-fetched.