2023 NBA Playoffs thread

[alias21]

Got back in yesterday from driving 28 hours in 3 days to see game 2 in Denver. Wish I had seen the nuggets with a W but it is what it is. Before game 2 the nuggets had won 9 straight at home in the playoffs and 7 straight overall. Eventually they were going to catch a L. Believe nuggets will do what they’ve done this whole year and lock in and play to their potential when they need to. I’m betting big on the nuggs this next game. Disbelievers do what you will.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

I agree with most here. Jokic isn't a sieve (not even close), but he's far from a lock-down or elite defensively.

Strengths:

- absolutely one of the best defensive rebounders
- great hands for deflections/steals/pesky break-ups
- high iq on where to position himself in most situations...denver implements solid switch-off schemes to mitigate his weaknesses with MPJ and AG's big frames

Cons:

- very limited athletically/sky is blue (as others have mentioned)
- is basically bbq chicken once drawn out of the restricted area due to above point
- lacks aggressiveness on defense probably due to the fact he's so pivotal to their offense (reluctancy due to early foul trouble - was one of his biggest roadblocks his first 2 seasons)



Zed brought up a good point. Nuggets have managed to avoid the elite pg's this offseason, which typically is their weakest point due to the aforementioned lack of elite rim protection. I've harped on the 'start your elite pg's vs denver' narrative all year, but Denver improved a bit in that facet in the second half of the season.

Because if they can get bubble alpaca on an island, they're either going to pull up for an uncontested pullup/floater because Yoakur's going to sag.

Did we just become best friends?

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Did we just become best friends?

[gomiamigo]

Originally Posted by NeedChapmans

And Jokic would have to average 2 AST and 6 TO per game the remainder of the series to hit Embiid levels. Feels unlikely.

Wow, so you're saying the best passing big man is a better passer than Embiid?
Who knew??

[gomiamigo]

Originally Posted by NeedChapmans

At a certain point, the narrative of "he's a bad defender" will be dispersed just like all the other ridiculous ones.

Three years ago he was a poor man's Stevev Nash. Two years ago he was Steve Nash and this year he's a poor mans Dirk Nowitzki. He's never been and will never be any of those things / just as he is is a + defender.

He's not a good defender and never will be.

Funny in how your list of names you didn't include the MVP: Joel Embiid.

Lifetime record: 5-2 vs Joke.

Stats: 26/12 vs 22/9. 1.4/2.1 steals and blocks vs 1.1/1.1.
So 59% more 'stocks' for Embiid.

Game Highs 48/18 vs 27/13 for Joke.

Last two years' matchups with both players at their peak:
Embiid 11 turnovers. Joke 12 turnovers.

And Embiid with the higher usage rate also.

Bragging that Joke is better than Ayton is hilarious. JFC that's the weakest shizz ever.

Embiid is better. Joke has a better supporting cast in that Murray >>> Harden. MPJ > Tobias.
And Doc was a terrible coach.

[gomiamigo]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

That's not old, it's a constant. He struggles in it without help. He's not a good defender in open space, Again, I'm not saying he's terrible, but he's not great.

I understand your position as a Nuggets fan.

doughboy such a great defender he held Embiid to only 47 this year!

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by gomiamigo

doughboy such a great defender he held Embiid to only 47 this year!

And he held him to 0 in the game @ Denver

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

I'm sure we're getting 2-2 after these 2 Heat games.

We'll see how Denver responds.

No we won't

Sent from my V350C using Tapatalk

[Spacemanspif]

same argument I've been trying to make about Curry for years now. both are pretty average athletically, which will never have anyone calling them elite, or even above average. but they're so smart with being able to read plays and position themselves that they're never going to be huge liabilities either. you see other teams attacking them to try and draw fouls and/or get them tired, as well as maybe being the "weak link" on the floor, mostly because the teams built around them are full of plus defenders.

also, BO should implement daily post caps. or those of you who are on wayyyyy too much should consider imposing one on yourself like one of those kid screen time limit programs

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by Spacemanspif

also, BO should implement daily post caps. or those of you who are on wayyyyy too much should consider imposing one on yourself like one of those kid screen time limit programs

in this disjunctive, one alternative is low-IQ and the other is higher-IQ

[Above the Rim]

Denver's offense is really good. However, they took 79 shot attempts in Game 1, and only 75 shot attempts in Game 2. I know the playoffs become much more of a slower half court game, but I would like to see Denver get up to 80+ shot attempts.

Mike Malone is correct, Denver's defense needs to step it up. This is The Finals darn it, critical now more than ever to step up the effort defensively. We have heard Defense wins Championships, quite a bit of truth to that. Does Denver have it or not? If they allow in the neighborhood of 36 points in the 4th quarter again, it will be curtains.

Congrats to Miami, they are buckling down defensively and playing about as good as they can play at both ends. Some ice running thru the veins of Miami's players. Home court for them tonight.

[AwesomeBrian]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Fi...vision_ratings


Somewhere between 2021 and the covid bubble, imo. Possibly lowest in the last decade.


Gollum defecating all over his cave as we speak.

Ratings right on par with last year so far. People enjoying seeing the new blood

11.58M Game 1
11.90M Game 2

[daeve]

Vincent getting hit by that sniper in the building again

[Onepocketj]

Flop rewarded

[ninjacookies]

Trigger finger on live Heat ML.


As long as they can keep it close.

[yiguiri2002]

Denver's defense is so much better so far. Closing out on Miami's threes and rotating accordingly. They got burned by Struss amazing pass and Brown's dumb foul but that's pretty much it.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Trigger finger on live Heat ML.


As long as they can keep it close.

Bet before Jeff Green comes in and Joker goes to the bench.

[daeve]

extremely weak call on that

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Bet before Jeff Green comes in and Joker goes to the bench.

I've spent 50 bucks on dumber Onlyfans premium content.


Essketit.

[yiguiri2002]

Denver going 9 deep and still not playing Bryant is...interesting

[ninjacookies]

If Denver doesn't find a way to go up by 15+ by the end of the 3rd, it's going to be very difficult for them to weather the inevitable 4th quarter Miami surge.

[blackbears86]

Denver not handling Miami physicality and Joker not facilitating


Heat got this.

[yiguiri2002]

I don't remember the last time I heard a Refs you suck chant where the other team shoots their first free throws almost 20 minutes into the game

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

If Denver doesn't find a way to go up by 15+ by the end of the 3rd, it's going to be very difficult for them to weather the inevitable 4th quarter Miami surge.

Agree. Denver holding off the heat storm now, but this game feels like it could turn any minute into a 20-4 Heat run and game over.

[ninjacookies]

Bubble alpaca mode engaged.

If I'm the Heat, I'm ok with that. He's made a ton of ridiculous contested shots. Game still close.


Trust the process.