2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (DEN leads 2-1)

[CometGM]

Yes Jokic has help. Less than other contenders which was the main point.

How is it less when these guys are championship tested? I get you want to prop up Jokic, and deservedly so, but you guys reach a little too much sometimes. Jamal Murray, MPJ, and Aaron Gordon are battle tested and have done this before. What makes them worse than Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Lou Dort?

[Twizlers]

Braun played excellent on SGA but he also ended with 5 fouls. However if he would have fouled out, Peyton Watson is a super underrated player and really helped defensively in his 16 minutes that could have slid in there, over Westbrook even.

One things for sure. This series is going exactly how no one predicted, in pretty much every capacity.

[CometGM]

Jokic has Murray-MPJ-Gordon

It's a great set of starters. Murray and Gordon are all Star level though they haven't made a team yet.

Main problem with the Jokic teammates here has been their health issues.

This is the answer IMO.

One issue is you have the Jokic super fans that flip it to "no help" or "not good enough comparatively because never made all star team". I get that you want to prop up Jokic, and he deserves A LOT of praise, but when you try to overdo it or use technicalities for every single argument it gets idiotic. These guys are battle tested and usually show up when it counts. What makes Chet, Jalen Williams, and Dort, better than MPJ, Murray, and Gordon - when healthy in the playoffs?

The flip side issue issue is you have the Jokic "haters" or the "im tired of hearing seeing 10 Jokic threads and over-propping him up excessively" crew, who then minimize Jokic's contribution. Jokic is currently the best and most impactful player in the league. You can't deny that. He does have his flaws, and they can get exposed. Regardless, you can't deny his impact.

The fact of the matter is both. He is the best player in the world AND his teammates are good enough and battle tested. To win a championship you also need a little luck and good matchups.

[stoo]

Braun played excellent on SGA but he also ended with 5 fouls. However if he would have fouled out, Peyton Watson is a super underrated player and really helped defensively in his 16 minutes that could have slid in there, over Westbrook even.

One things for sure. This series is going exactly how no one predicted, in pretty much every capacity.

a lot of nuggets fans would like to say something about this

[Dupp]

Most of have been very average all year. Today they weren’t.

Case closed.

[firedavidkahn]

SGA walking off the court with a huge smile. He knows that the Thunder should be up 3-0 in this series.

3-0 in moral victories?

The absolute irony of an account called "Mamba Mentality" talking about moral victories is priceless

[Karate Diop]

I love that the Shai Shaggers are in shambles right now...

[Froob]

was going to say something snarky that is sneaky passive aggressive about tatum vs SGA but, all I can think about is how beautiful Aaron Gordon’s shot is. how did this happen so quickly??

[Icarus_prime]

Would you guys say that Denver Nuggets have overachieved in this playoffs so far?

[The Explorer]

Would you guys say that Denver Nuggets have overachieved in this playoffs so far?

Considering they just went through a coaching change, yes they have overachieved. Jokic had a bad game and they still won.

[Old Man Game]

Though still young I genuinely thought this night be our year with how consistent they've been all year. But these are just putrid performances offensively in these losses. It's not like Denver's defense is exactly the '04 Pistons over here.

[Ugly0598]

Denver basketball has a strange fanbase. The fans are extremely goofy in spots, and great in others. I think it’s wise to follow every team.

[Karate Diop]

Shai without that ghost whistle just can't get it done...

[stoo]

Would you guys say that Denver Nuggets have overachieved in this playoffs so far?

i'd argue that denver should easily play much better than they have so far

[Mavrelous]

Would you guys say that Denver Nuggets have overachieved in this playoffs so far?

They absolutely have, they were outplayed in the 1st 6 games and kept it 3-3 against the Clils, and Thunder were better in every game and Nuggets are up 2-1, text book examlle for what it means to having the best player in the series being a swing factor.

[Ssj16]

SGA walking off the court with a huge smile. He knows that the Thunder should be up 3-0 in this series.

Here we go again. That's what they said about the Clippers.

[HotRocks34]

OKC is still the series favorite with Vegas despite Denver being up 2-1.

Makes sense. They are much deeper and healthier.

I'm surprised Boston (0-2) is still favored over the Knicks. I agree with the other odds despite Cleveland being down 1-2, and with MIN and GSW tied 1-1.

[sikma42]

Though still young I genuinely thought this night be our year with how consistent they've been all year. But these are just putrid performances offensively in these losses. It's not like Denver's defense is exactly the '[emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]]] Pistons over here.

This is the first time in the playoffs I’ve seen Jalen Williams step up like this through adversity. I’m actually higher on them now. I think he may capitalize on the momentum and put them over the top.


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[Ice Man]

When Jokic gets good help, he tends to win playoff series. When not, he doesn't. That should not be news, as it applies to every other superstar the league has ever had.

[Dadouv47]

at this point I wouldn't be surprised if OKC loses in 5 OR comeback from a 1-3 deficit and wins it. We are the better team but our mental breakdown is off the chart.