“I’m trying to do everything I can in my power to beat the Jazz. But, at the end of the day, I need some help. I’m not sitting here pointing fingers or nothing. But as a unit, we’ve got to do this together. I can’t do this by myself.” – Carmelo Anthony after Sunday’s Game 4 loss in Utah.

When Carmelo Anthony scored 40 points including the game winner to beat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers back in February, the Denver Nuggets were title contenders.

He should be frustrated.

There was a time when the Denver Nuggets were a clear-cut championship contender. After their win in Cleveland, 118-116, this season in February to end a 13-game win streak for the Cavaliers, I was convinced the Nuggets were good enough to win a title.

Now they’re down 3-1 to the Utah Jazz in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs and Carmelo Anthony is looking for answers.

Correction. He’s looking for help.

Denver hasn't figured out how to even slow down Deron Williams, let alone stop him.

If Denver coach George Karl wasn’t recovering from cancer treatments, Anthony would have his help, but the question is does he need help in terms of player personnel?

Well, everyone wants more and Denver could use a younger big man, but the Nuggets have lost that edge that makes them go.

On top of that, Denver veteran point guard Chauncey Billups just can’t keep up with Utah’s Deron Williams.

Reminds me of when Chris Paul just took Jason Kidd apart  when leading the New Orleans Hornets past the Dallas Mavericks in the 2008 NBA playoffs.

Paul was motivated and Kidd wasn’t up to the challenge.

This is the same situation, but the Nuggets do have home-court advantage in this series. All they got to do is win one game in Utah to get this done.

The problem is they’ve got to beat the Jazz three consecutive times. Don’t see how that’s going to happen unless 1) Karl comes back (and that’s not happening) or 2) Anthony gets some help (that’s not happening, either).