2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC WINS 4-3)

TinmanZBoy · Post #41 » by **TinmanZBoy** » Fri May 16, 2025 8:56 pm

MrPainfulTruth wrote:
TinmanZBoy wrote:At one point, Jokic had iHart as his backup in Nuggets… talking about Nuggets don’t have a backup center

That was a very different version of Hartenstein

He was not a main guy in Rockets too, but we saw the hustle, the physical nature of his game, he should be very useful...
Let's say if you put Isiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins etc.. under Malone and Nuggets, they would probably look a lot like those unplayable young players...

TinmanZBoy · Post #42 » by **TinmanZBoy** » Fri May 16, 2025 9:01 pm

can't believe people here have more confidence on Nuggets than OKC...

Wingy · Post #43 » by **Wingy** » Fri May 16, 2025 9:16 pm

TinmanZBoy wrote:can't believe people here have more confidence on Nuggets than OKC...

I voted OKC. Championship experience is huge, but it can’t overcome a lack of bodies. Gordon’s health is a major concern.

Wolfgang630 · Post #44 » by **Wolfgang630** » Fri May 16, 2025 9:16 pm

TinmanZBoy wrote:can't believe people here have more confidence on Nuggets than OKC...

It’s not surprising either way. Nuggets have championship experience and lots of game 7s experience. They’re finally getting 2 days rest. They have the best player in the world. You can see why people are confident in them.

OKC has home court. They’re one of the greatest regular season teams of all time. They have a top 3 player in the league and who will be MVP. They have depth. Role players should be better at home so I can see why people are confident in them.

MrPainfulTruth · Post #45 » by **MrPainfulTruth** » Fri May 16, 2025 9:26 pm

TinmanZBoy wrote:can't believe people here have more confidence on Nuggets than OKC...

Its not the Nuggets per se. Its the best player in the world that happens to play there.

Ssj16 · Post #46 » by **Ssj16** » Fri May 16, 2025 11:20 pm

BigGargamel wrote:
TinmanZBoy wrote:At one point, Jokic had iHart as his backup in Nuggets… talking about Nuggets don’t have a backup center

I know people like to comment on all 30 teams even though there's no way to know about all teams, but Hartenstein was absolutely terrible when he was with Denver. He could rebound and block a shot, but was less than a non factor on offense. Hart worked hard to become a good player, and Denver brought him back to the NBA, but that was about it. He was awful.

I think the point is Malone's inability to develop the bench.

darkse1d · Post #47 » by **darkse1d** » Fri May 16, 2025 11:22 pm

MrPainfulTruth wrote:
darkse1d wrote:If Gordon is out, don't see anyway that nuggets can come away with a win.

Also I expect Jaylin Williams to have a huge game considering how bad he's been all series and now everyone is talking about how bad he's been.

There are a couple of guys due to have a big game, MPJ more than everyone else. I dont want to hear about his shoulder any more; he was just as bad all season in the key games. Its a mental problem, not a physical one.

I see your point with Nuggets needing Gordon, but realistically he wasnt really there in game 6 and they still won because Jokic played great and so did Murray and unexpected and unpredictable, Strather manifested himself on the floor, in meaningful minutes, and got hot. That could happen again, or its Watson next time or Braun rediscovers his shot or Westbrook does. There is always hope.

if Julian can go off again, that would be great and a plus but on the road in a must-win game, are we really going to have to rely on Julian to put us through the finish line, or Watson or

Westbrook? I honestly have no faith in Watson or Westbrook, especially Westbrook, he can easily lose the game with his shooting and boneheaded turnovers. Thats why we need Gordon to show up and give 15-20 points. He will be needed along with Jokic, Murray and hopefully MPJ.

Wallace_Wallace · Post #48 » by **Wallace_Wallace** » Sat May 17, 2025 12:08 am

Denver needs another huge game from their bench guys. One of Westbrook/Strawther/Watson has to do something to tilt the game. If not, I don’t think they can overcome OKC’s depth.

MarcusBrody · Post #49 » by **MarcusBrody** » Sat May 17, 2025 12:31 am

TinmanZBoy wrote:can't believe people here have more confidence on Nuggets than OKC...

I accidentally voted Denver, but i meant to vote OKC. I think Denver absolutely has a chance, but OKC has bounced back well from their losses this series and trust their consistency more. They always have their swarming defense, so if both teams are hitting or both teams aren't, i think they're more likely to pull it out. Doubly so if Gordon is injured.

That being said, I'm pulling for Denver and if a couple of the secondary players OKC is leaving to bring the second defender on Jokic can get hot, i could see them pulling it off.

TheFire · Post #50 » by **TheFire** » Sat May 17, 2025 12:42 am

AG looking very doubtful to play. Huge blow to the Nuggets.

Post #51 » by **Dadouv47** » Sat May 17, 2025 12:45 am

Pretty sure he will play and I don't know how serious his injury is tbh. I just have a hard time believing whatever is coming from Nuggets side after saying that Jamal Murray was a game time decision last night.

I think he will still start but there's a big chance he gets injured during the game if this is true

Wolfgang630 · Post #52 » by **Wolfgang630** » Sat May 17, 2025 12:48 am

Wallace_Wallace wrote:Denver needs another huge game from their bench guys. One of Westbrook/Strawther/Watson has to do something to tilt the game. If not, I don’t think they can overcome OKC’s depth.

Yep 1000%. They NEED someone from the bench to step up if they want to win

Castle Black · Post #53 » by **Castle Black** » Sat May 17, 2025 12:50 am

It's over. Even if he plays, he won't be nearly the same guy with a hamstring injury. Brutal ending for the Nuggets. OKC catches a huge break.

Read on Twitter

Wolfgang630 · Post #54 » by **Wolfgang630** » Sat May 17, 2025 12:53 am

Unfkingbelivable

MarcusBrody · Post #55 » by **MarcusBrody** » Sat May 17, 2025 12:58 am

Castle Black wrote:It's over. Even if he plays, he won't be nearly the same guy with a hamstring injury. Brutal ending for the Nuggets. OKC catches a huge break.

Read on Twitter

That's definitely very bad news for the Nuggets, but Denver beat OKC once this year without AG (Westbrook started). They're not going down without a fight.

littlerock2277 · Post #56 » by **littlerock2277** » Sat May 17, 2025 1:00 am

It’s the nature of the playoffs, it’s literally like a war zone. Which team has the most healthy players to fight. Really hard to win a championship with a lack of rotation. This game is OKC to lose if I am Minnesota I would hope Denver could somehow beat okc in game 7. They would be coming into the next series depleted.

XTC · Post #57 » by **XTC** » Sat May 17, 2025 1:11 am

Someone on Reddit just proposed giving the MVP trophy before game 7 tip off :lol:

I'm sure it would light a fire under both players, and we might even see a Hakeem-Robinson type upset.

QPR · Post #58 » by **QPR** » Sat May 17, 2025 1:36 am

XTC wrote:Someone on Reddit just proposed giving the MVP trophy before game 7 tip off

I'm sure it would light a fire under both players, and we might even see a Hakeem-Robinson type upset.

Genuinely don't think Jokic would give a ****

Patches Perry · Post #59 » by **Patches Perry** » Sat May 17, 2025 1:47 am

TinmanZBoy wrote:can't believe people here have more confidence on Nuggets than OKC...

It's been a theme of the last few games that people pick Denver to win, but if OKC wins, its because OKC is obviously better and everyone knew they would win and the fact it was even close is a miracle. It's really bizarre.

OldSchoolNoBull · Post #60 » by **OldSchoolNoBull** » Sat May 17, 2025 1:49 am

Castle Black wrote:It's over.

Not a fan of big declarations like that. Let things play out.

Who wins the BIG ASS GAME 7??