[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

You're a moron. You've failed to address why this only helps the Broncos and not the three other professional teams.

1. NBA- "In the past, Hakeem Olajuwon has had problems playing in Denver's mile-high altitude, at times needing oxygen on the bench."

2. NFL- "Most teams who travel to Denver to take on the Broncos simply show up the day before a game. But for this week’s playoff tilt, the Patriots thought an extra day just might give them the edge in adjusting to the altitude"

3. NBA from Havard research- When we compared how visiting players performed away from and at Denver, the difference became even larger. Outside of the Pepsi Center, these players shot 76.0%, but at this higher elevation, they shot just 74.5%. Once again, our results were significant, yielding a p-value of 0.0143.

4. NBA- DENVER – Head coach Doc Rivers heard a crazy theory about playing in Denver.

“Come in right before the game,” Rivers said. “Like, take the fine. I’ve heard that, and I’ve heard from someone, I won’t say the coach, but he’s a championship coach, he thinks if you fly in right before the game, off the plane, right to the game, you have a better chance.”

The Clippers didn’t do that as they prepare to face the Nuggets on Friday night, but they know they need to be cognizant of the high altitude that can cause problems for visiting teams. Rivers said a bunch of theories are out there about how to combat the issue, and no one’s sure about the correct answer.

He said he when his son, Austin Rivers, played in Denver, he told him to warm up hard and that should help out. When his son did that, he went to the lay-up line in warm-ups and quickly had to go sit down from exhaustion.

“I’ve heard so many theories with that,” Rivers said. “That’s as tough as it gets. Having said that, at least it’s a day off and playing them.”

The physical exhaustion playing in Denver can be problematic. So too can the mental exhaustion knowing Friday night is the start of four games in five nights for the Clippers. The Clippers know even against a struggling Nuggets squad, the night won’t be won easily.

“Denver’s a tough environment,” said Chris Paul. “Use that first quarter to try to blow the wind out and whatnot, but they don’t feel sorry for you. They’re there waiting on us and we’ve got to be ready to play when we get there.”

DeAndre Jordan, who deals with asthma, could have an even tougher time. But he said the altitude can affect anyone.

“It’s tough,” Jordan said. “The air in Utah is also tough, but Denver’s tough on anybody. After the first eight minutes, everyone thinks they have asthma. I know my lips are super chapped after the first timeout.”