2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (Series tied 1-1)

[RRR3]

Remember when Markieff hit Jokic? People thought that wasn't a big deal. It was. I think Morris hit Jokic's knee and could have done damage with the move.

Morris wasn't trying to hurt Jokic but the result was a dangerous play.

Same thing with Williams here.

[TinmanZBoy]

Here's the play. Super dangerous. Basically an undercut with Williams backing in.

Both of Jokic's knees could have been taken out.

That is not ok. I don't think it was intentional, but it's still not good.

I can’t tell if you guys are serious. There is absolutely nothing dirty about that play, if anything that was a sorry ass attempt by Jokic to foul bait.

I'm extremely serious.

Jokic could have blown both knees on that play.

Nah… he initiated, he is too smart to put himself into hurting himself… a little acting too…this is just his frustrated reactionary move to OKC’s physicality… but Denver as a whole did it too late and did not get referees positive reaction

[HotRocks34]

I don't quite see it. Williams is trying to take position by getting lower (normal basketball play), and then Jokic just jumps (don't quite know why). Williams isn't running/jumping into Jokic, so I don't quite seem the issue. The only reason this is being discussed is because Jokic jumps and puts himself in an awkward position, no? Seems like a basketball play to me

Williams was trying to get low, that's true.

But as Jokic started to move side to side, Williams kept driving backwards. Not low to the ground but at the opposite angle (right angle) to how Jokic was trying to move.

Again, I doubt it was intentional but it was dangerous. Jokic got elevated in the air with his legs taken out. Not good and as the result of Williams driving backwards, not just lower to the ground.

It's like Shaq being guarded by a small. For the little guy to compete he has to literally throw his body into Shaq. That's what happened here. It's dangerous.

Williams keeps going in his same direction, so I see nothing out of the ordinary on that. Are you trying to argue that a 211 man walking backwards pushed an almost 300 pound man in the air by himself? I don't doubt that William's mass in some way affected Jokic but there is no way that Jokic was completely pushed into the air unless he was trying to exaggerate contact. And if exaggerating contact is what caused this play then who's fault is it really?

Jokic did not jump in the air. He went to make a move and Williams' momentum elevated him.

Stuff happens. But you have to be careful.

Williams already shoved Jokic after a play earlier in the game. You think he was concerned with what he was doing?

Anyways, glad Jokic is ok. But Adelman needs to call out the refs.

[WestbrookGOATed]

This was a scheduled loss. They stole home court advantage. They played a 7 game series and a tight game 1. They'll probably adjust and come back hard to take an eventual 3-1 lead.

Jokic has been uncharacteristic with his turnovers. He has to play perfect games like he previously has to get them past this OKC squad.

I'm confused. Are you saying Denver will take a 3-1 lead or OKC? Because the former is pretty unlikely.

Denver will

Oh. It's looking like a backdoor sweep at the moment.

[California Gold]

Some of these guys in this thread wouldn’t defend their families as much as they defend Jokic.

[MrPainfulTruth]

OKC punked the Nuggets tonight, well deserved win and great bounce back.

But...Adelman has to bring a laptop out before the game 3. If they are going to call game like this it will end 4-1, nuggets dont stand a chance. Big guy punished for being big instead of punishing other teams for beaing small like they did for 80 years...

It was obvious to everyone who isnt hardcore OKC fanboy or one of the five LBJ/Lakers guys on a mission. I expect the Nuggets staff to do something simliar to what the Wolves did, where it was much, much less obvious. They have to go through this game and just show the no calls on Jokic, while SGA kept walking to the line. The Nuggets' chances are already very, very slim because OKC is factually the far better team and they depend on several of their guys hitting a good day simultaneously multiple time - probability almost zero. But having to play 5 on 8 uphill on top of that is just ugly. But there is very little hope, head coaches have taken fines complaining about the way OKC is allowd to "defend" and to no avail. Almost comical seeing guys in here pretending there isnt a clear agenda that was recognizable the entire season.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25193901-t-wolves-hc-calls-out-warriors-fouls-rudy-gobert-says-theyre-nfl-linemen

[HotRocks34]

Remember when Markieff hit Jokic? People thought that wasn't a big deal. It was. I think Morris hit Jokic's knee and could have done damage with the move.

Morris wasn't trying to hurt Jokic but the result was a dangerous play.

Same thing with Williams here.

Ignored.

[HotRocks34]

Nah… he initiated, he is too smart to put himself into hurting himself… a little acting too…this is just his frustrated reactionary move to OKC’s physicality… but Denver as a whole did it too late and did not get referees positive reaction

Nope. You are incorrect.

[AmIWrongDude]

If people don't understand what took place in the Jokic and Williams play here's what happened.

Jokic is trying to move at like a right angle compared to Williams' movement. Jokic is basically moving in a straight line and Williams backs up into that path while Jokic makes the move.

It's possible that Williams intended to do it but I doubt it. I hope not. But yeah Jokic was in a very vulnerable position there and it's fortunate that he didn't get hurt.

If people don’t understand what took place in the Jokic and Williams play here’s what happened.

Jokic tried to get a piggyback ride from Williams without asking for permission first.

Always ask for pre-piggy permission folks

[Slade3]

I don't quite see it. Williams is trying to take position by getting lower (normal basketball play), and then Jokic just jumps (don't quite know why). Williams isn't running/jumping into Jokic, so I don't quite seem the issue. The only reason this is being discussed is because Jokic jumps and puts himself in an awkward position, no? Seems like a basketball play to me

Williams was trying to get low, that's true.

But as Jokic started to move side to side, Williams kept driving backwards. Not low to the ground but at the opposite angle (right angle) to how Jokic was trying to move.

Again, I doubt it was intentional but it was dangerous. Jokic got elevated in the air with his legs taken out. Not good and as the result of Williams driving backwards, not just lower to the ground.

It's like Shaq being guarded by a small. For the little guy to compete he has to literally throw his body into Shaq. That's what happened here. It's dangerous.

What are you guys watching? Jokic jumped on his back. There was no reason for Jokic to jump, he didn't have the ball, he wasn't looking to catch a pass. He knew he was being backed down so he must know that if he jumped he'd fall on top of Williams. He's either stupid or it's intentional. I'm not a fan of either team but I call it like it is.

[Impuniti]

The new OKC coach should be put in jail. You're losing by 40 and you keep your main guy whose 30 years old for 32MPG, more than anyone else on the court until he's fouled out? Someone whose already been playing a ton of minutes in the RS and PS.I get keeping the 20 year olds, but Jokic?

I don't understand these coaches and their complete lack of player management.

[MrPainfulTruth]

I'm extremely serious.

Jokic could have blown both knees on that play.

Nah… he initiated, he is too smart to put himself into hurting himself… a little acting too…this is just his frustrated reactionary move to OKC’s physicality… but Denver as a whole did it too late and did not get referees positive reaction

Nope. You are incorrect.

People dont understand what legal defense is. Jokic is playing offense and there is a "freedom of movement" rule. You cannot keep pushing your ass into the guy claiming his space and dislodge him (lower point of gravity). This has absolutely nothing to do with legal defense. Half of that contact trying to impede SGA's progress is instant foul and probably flagrant.

[DrModesty]

Green font?

Anthony Edwards is way more pushed as a face of the league golden child than Shai. He is in way more commercials. He has way more media segments about him. That isn't even mentioning that he is American, extremely charismatic, on a contender and looks like MJ.

This is obvious.

Media can push the guy all they want but he’s way closer to a Jalen Green than he will ever be to a Jordan

Are our wires crossed? I was talking about who is the next golden boy. I wasn't speaking of talent

[TinmanZBoy]

Some of these guys in this thread wouldn’t defend their families as much as they defend Jokic.

And don’t know bb plays… OKC is very physical this game, establish every move earlier than Denver, Denver did not match that…

[Mamba Mentality]

Here's the play. Super dangerous. Basically an undercut with Williams backing in.

Both of Jokic's knees could have been taken out.

That is not ok. I don't think it was intentional, but it's still not good.

I can’t tell if you guys are serious. There is absolutely nothing dirty about that play, if anything that was a sorry ass attempt by Jokic to foul bait.

I'm extremely serious.

Jokic could have blown both knees on that play.

Bro you’re really stretching here. Guys jostle for position like that all the time and I’ve never seen someone get their knees blown out. Jokic could have hurt Williams here but throwing all his weight on his back as he was folding like a chair. Honestly, you’ve got this whole thing backwards.

[HotRocks34]

I don't quite see it. Williams is trying to take position by getting lower (normal basketball play), and then Jokic just jumps (don't quite know why). Williams isn't running/jumping into Jokic, so I don't quite seem the issue. The only reason this is being discussed is because Jokic jumps and puts himself in an awkward position, no? Seems like a basketball play to me

Williams was trying to get low, that's true.

But as Jokic started to move side to side, Williams kept driving backwards. Not low to the ground but at the opposite angle (right angle) to how Jokic was trying to move.

Again, I doubt it was intentional but it was dangerous. Jokic got elevated in the air with his legs taken out. Not good and as the result of Williams driving backwards, not just lower to the ground.

It's like Shaq being guarded by a small. For the little guy to compete he has to literally throw his body into Shaq. That's what happened here. It's dangerous.

What are you guys watching? Jokic jumped on his back. There was no reason for Jokic to jump, he didn't have the ball, he wasn't looking to catch a pass. He knew he was being backed down so he must know that if he jumped he'd fall on top of Williams. He's either stupid or it's intentional. I'm not a fan of either team but I call it like it is.

I'm watching this:

Which shows exactly what I just described.

Please don't ask me again or quote me about it again. I've already made the case.

Thanks.

[HotRocks34]

Nah… he initiated, he is too smart to put himself into hurting himself… a little acting too…this is just his frustrated reactionary move to OKC’s physicality… but Denver as a whole did it too late and did not get referees positive reaction

Nope. You are incorrect.

People dont understand what legal defense is. Jokic is playing offense and there is a "freedom of movement" rule. You cannot keep pushing your ass into the guy claiming his space and dislodge him (lower point of gravity). This has absolutely nothing to do with legal defense. Half of that contact trying to impede SGA's progress is instant foul and probably flagrant.

Correct.

Glad someone understands the game.

[Impuniti]

Man that Williams play is bad and dangerous. Just watched it again.

Williams backs into Jokic as Jokic is trying to move to a spot and keeps backing up as Jokic elevates.

That could have ended very badly. Good thing it didn't.

Adelman needs to send that to the league. Not cool. Probably not intentional but dangerous nonetheless.

Here's the play. Super dangerous. Basically an undercut with Williams backing in.

Both of Jokic's knees could have been taken out.

That is not ok. I don't think it was intentional, but it's still not good.

Dangerous play but I still can't get over Dort. Is there a player with the combination of fouls and flopping like him in the league? Has to be one of the most unlikeable players in the league. Detestable.

[Marrs-Law]

Williams was trying to get low, that's true.

But as Jokic started to move side to side, Williams kept driving backwards. Not low to the ground but at the opposite angle (right angle) to how Jokic was trying to move.

Again, I doubt it was intentional but it was dangerous. Jokic got elevated in the air with his legs taken out. Not good and as the result of Williams driving backwards, not just lower to the ground.

It's like Shaq being guarded by a small. For the little guy to compete he has to literally throw his body into Shaq. That's what happened here. It's dangerous.

Williams keeps going in his same direction, so I see nothing out of the ordinary on that. Are you trying to argue that a 211 man walking backwards pushed an almost 300 pound man in the air by himself? I don't doubt that William's mass in some way affected Jokic but there is no way that Jokic was completely pushed into the air unless he was trying to exaggerate contact. And if exaggerating contact is what caused this play then who's fault is it really?

Jokic did not jump in the air. He went to make a move and Williams' momentum elevated him.

Stuff happens. But you have to be careful.

Williams already shoved Jokic after a play earlier in the game. You think he was concerned with what he was doing?

Anyways, glad Jokic is ok. But Adelman needs to call out the refs.

I watched it back again to see if Jokic appeared to be trying to elevate or not. Jokic is kind of hopping/skipping around, and because of that I think he jumps into Williams as Williams is moving backwards to take that space away from Jokic. It still seems to me that Jokic purposefully attempted to create as much contact as possible, though I don't have enough experience in physics or pickup basketball to know for sure. Anyway, I stand by it being a basketball play (at least for Williams, and more or less Jokic) that either player (or neither) could have been called on.

I am also glad that Jokic (and Jalen, for that matter) are ok, of course. Have a good one

[HotRocks34]

I can’t tell if you guys are serious. There is absolutely nothing dirty about that play, if anything that was a sorry ass attempt by Jokic to foul bait.

I'm extremely serious.

Jokic could have blown both knees on that play.

Bro you’re really stretching here. Guys joust for position like that all the time and I’ve never seen someone get their knees taken out. Jokic could have hurt Williams here but throwing all his weight on his back. You really got this whole thing backwards.

No, I don't.

You do.

The case is clear. Hopefully Adelman called out the refs and the OKC shenanigans after the game. I have to go find his press conference.