Official NBA General Discussion 2024-25 V2.0

M3tro · Post #1501 » by **M3tro** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:39 pm

Denver looks rattled

sidsid · Post #1502 » by **sidsid** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:44 pm

OKC has been trying to keep the double big lineup out there for the team d/rebounding advantage, but Braun has been too good at forcing screen navigation for Chet and hitting 3s.

The Caruso at C big/no big lineups have been fascinatingly successful due to the lost art of post entry passing.

Clutch0z24 · Post #1503 » by **Clutch0z24** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:45 pm

Scary this Thunder team not even close to its prime....this is how the baby Thunder look....Once they get in their prime they will be too good...Joker really struggling againt Caruso....He been the MVP so far

Landomar · Post #1504 » by **Landomar** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:45 pm

Am I crazy or is OKC fouling Denver on almost every possession? There is constant hand checking that I thought wasn't allowed.

Clutch0z24 · Post #1505 » by **Clutch0z24** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:50 pm

Landomar wrote:Am I crazy or is OKC fouling Denver on almost every possession? There is constant hand checking that I thought wasn't allowed.

I mean Nuggets got 16 foul shots....Joker uses his weight and gets away with putting his elbows in players faces/heads....Its playoff basketball...

WaltFrazier · Post #1506 » by **WaltFrazier** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:52 pm

Clutch0z24 wrote:Scary this Thunder team not even close to its prime....this is how the baby Thunder look....Once they get in their prime they will be too good...Joker really struggling againt Caruso....He been the MVP so far

Only the CBA/apron can stop them now

sidsid · Post #1507 » by **sidsid** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:54 pm

The story of this game so far is that Braun has neutralized the big lineups for OKC, while the entire guard rotation/passing has failed to punish the small Caruso lineups inside, leading to a fastbreak extravaganza for OKC.

Pointgod · Post #1508 » by **Pointgod** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:55 pm

This game is exactly why you trade Giddey for Caruso.

Pointgod · Post #1509 » by **Pointgod** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:58 pm

WaltFrazier wrote:
Clutch0z24 wrote:Scary this Thunder team not even close to its prime....this is how the baby Thunder look....Once they get in their prime they will be too good...Joker really struggling againt Caruso....He been the MVP so far

Only the CBA/apron can stop them now

The brilliance of how Presti has amassed tons of draft picks is that they can essentially fill their bench with cheap, cost controlled young talent and vet signings.

sidsid · Post #1510 » by **sidsid** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:00 pm

sidsid wrote:The story of this game so far is that Braun has neutralized the big lineups for OKC, while the entire guard rotation/passing has failed to punish the small Caruso lineups inside, leading to a fastbreak extravaganza for OKC.

Thinking about it, this is probably the Gordon injury impact here. He'd be attacking these small lineups with more force both on-off ball.

Clutch0z24 · Post #1511 » by **Clutch0z24** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:08 pm

Pointgod wrote:This game is exactly why you trade Giddey for Caruso.

People called that a dumb move at the time as well and say "All OKC got from a year of tanking was Caruso" ....Caruso might help them win their first chip and be a key x factor in the process....His defensive ability is game changing...

Clutch0z24 · Post #1512 » by **Clutch0z24** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:16 pm

Wow Cason Wallace

Brinbe · Post #1513 » by **Brinbe** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:17 pm

that nuggets window is over too. jokic isn't gonna ask out but he's just gonna stuck there on a playoff gatekeeper now. they're gonna be stuck with those murray and mpj contracts

bballsparkin · Post #1514 » by **bballsparkin** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:21 pm

How do you not build a better bench for Jokic?

Clutch0z24 · Post #1515 » by **Clutch0z24** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:24 pm

This OKC defense is inspiring they are hounding everyone

bballsparkin · Post #1516 » by **bballsparkin** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:25 pm

If I'm OKC there is no way I'm trading Chet. SGA and Chet. Building around that. Is Jalen a worthy third? He might be, I don't watch enough to know. But definitely I'm keeping Chet. He's only 23. If he fills out and adds strength watch out.

Tripod · Post #1517 » by **Tripod** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:25 pm

WaltFrazier wrote:
Clutch0z24 wrote:Scary this Thunder team not even close to its prime....this is how the baby Thunder look....Once they get in their prime they will be too good...Joker really struggling againt Caruso....He been the MVP so far

Only the CBA/apron can stop them now

What about Wemby and Co?
Houston?
Flagg+?
Luka?
Utah?

Funny they all get to beat up on one another year after year to get out of the West.

bballsparkin · Post #1518 » by **bballsparkin** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:26 pm

Westbrook letting OKC know nothing easy.

sidsid · Post #1519 » by **sidsid** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:28 pm

Tripod wrote:
WaltFrazier wrote:
Clutch0z24 wrote:Scary this Thunder team not even close to its prime....this is how the baby Thunder look....Once they get in their prime they will be too good...Joker really struggling againt Caruso....He been the MVP so far

Only the CBA/apron can stop them now

What about Wemby and Co?
Houston?
Flagg+?
Luka?
Utah?

Funny they all get to beat up on one another year after year to get out of the West.

I'm not calling anything until I see where Giannis lands.

sidsid · Post #1520 » by **sidsid** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:30 pm

Another key for the Thunder is finally figuring out how to beat a zone consistently. Their offense remains the big question mark now that they'll be facing a good D in Minny