Why AI did not help the Nuggets

"The Answer" was obviously not that for the Denver Nuggets. Even with the presence of perennial All-Star, Allen Iverson, Denver could not make it out of the first round of the playoffs. In a way the inability of one of the best regular season teams in NBA history, the Dallas Mavericks, to knock off the eighth seed Golden State Warriors is linked to the Nuggets problem.
The West is a conference based on offensive production.
With a lack of solid defense played by most teams in the West, fans see a large amount of high scoring games, and in the process a large amount of wins.
Of the ten top scoring teams in the league this season, eight come from the West.
Of the ten teams that gave up the most points this season, seven come from the West.
Ironically enough the Mavericks probably represent the best defensive team this season in that conference. Now, however, they seem to be falling into the Western mentality of offensive production over pace and defense. A key to success in that conference, which so many believe dominates the East, could be to adopt a philosophy such as the Pistons or Bulls. Consistent offensive production mixed with solid team defense.
If you want to see how this style of game play works against a Western team see game footage of the Heat in Games 3-6 of last years NBA Finals, or even the 2004 crowning of the Pistons over the Lakers.