2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West First Round: #4 Denver Nuggets vs #5 LA Clippers (Series tied 2-2)

[OkcSinceSGA]

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Aaron Gordon said he can barely jump right now. This has to be the first time ever that injury luck actually favors the Clippers. Won’t last though lol. Dort will probably injure a couple Clippers players if they advance.

[Ruma85]

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Aaron Gordon said he can barely jump right now. This has to be the first time ever that injury luck actually favors the Clippers. Won’t last though lol. Dort will probably injure a couple Clippers players if they advance.

Why is Dort getting a lot flack here, it's an ACCIDENT.

[SpurNani]

My number one cant be content with taking 15 and 14 shots in must win consecutive games. That is less shots than the Kobe “I quit” game when he refused to shoot the ball and got crucified for it.

Jokic rather fling the ball to Westbrick and secure his triple double than go get a bucket.

This is basically the same tired BS people used to say about Magic, FWIW. It wasn't insightful then, and it isn't now.

Why u guys even try. He is troll, formerly known as Chokic. Either that or just brainless, but i refuse to believe that any1 who watched a game of NBA basketball can be so dumb.

Don't know who Chokic is but that's a clever name. I personally like the name Fatkic, it makes me chuckle.

I am not a troll or alternate account, I just call it like I see it. I called Jokic once again struggling against a upper tier team. I called him not showing he's able to uplift his team vs what some consider a slightly superior team in talent.. I see a guy who even though he possess all time offensive ability defer to others and play passively, content with not contesting shots so he can have better chance to rebound and pad his stats. A guy who would rather pass to Christian Braun when the whole world knows he's bad.

Sometimes all time great players just have to shoulder the load and say I'm dropping 40 tonight. Jokic hasn't done that. Shooting the ball 14 and 15 times in consecutive playoff games is pathetic for any #1 option, much less a guy being prematurely annointed as a top 10 player of all time smack dab in the middle of his prime.

Make all the excuses you want. Jokic just might be the best #2 we've ever seen, ill give him that.

[Wolfgang630]

Joker needs to fricking take 25-30 shots this next game. All great scorers will shoot the ball. Forget everyone else for once. If you take 30 shots and lose the game that’s fine. But you need to have that mentality for one game. I’d rather my best player take 30 shots and lose at this point.

[Handlez]

Zubac way too close to Jokic in production.

Jokic has enough help to beat the Clips if Jokic is as good as advertised. (People think he's top 10 all time and should have 5 MVP awards)

I don't know it as fact, but people are saying Jokic hasn't beaten a 50 win playoff team? Or at least has a bad record against 50 win teams?

Anyhow, Jokic doesn't have otherworldly help, but I think it's a mark on his legacy if he loses to the Clips.

[og15]

Will this series match this first round banger from 2015? Kawhi was in that one too, but couldn't come through in games 5-7.

Watch on YouTube

I actually hope not as I'd rather the Clippers NOT play 7 games

[ejftw]

Simmons is living the dream.

Honestly, he's exceeded my expectations for him when he signed. I expected him to a solid spot handler that would provide some okay effort on defense.

Just wish Lue would avoid having any minutes on the court without Harden or Ben. The squad always needs a ball handler on the floor, and can't have Norm, Bogi or Kawhi be the primary at any point

That's part of my point - they were once so much higher, a guy thought to build a team around, and now bare minimum gets nods and raised eyebrows. He wanted Cali, he got it, and now gets by with minimal expectations.

Fair enough, but I also saw a good amount of folk (granted, don't think any were on here) that expected Simmons to do a lot more than he has and are disappointed by his play.

I expected him to come in, be a good spot ball handler and provide a different look at the five spot for when Zu sits.

Really hoping that FranknCo can convince him to stay around on a min at the 1+1 before using early birds, ala what they did with Nico and Reggie (plus what they probably would've done with Russ if it wasn't for the Harden trade).

He fits our system really really well

[Ruma85]

This is basically the same tired BS people used to say about Magic, FWIW. It wasn't insightful then, and it isn't now.

Why u guys even try. He is troll, formerly known as Chokic. Either that or just brainless, but i refuse to believe that any1 who watched a game of NBA basketball can be so dumb.

Don't know who Chokic is but that's a clever name. I personally like the name Fatkic, it makes me chuckle.

I am not a troll or alternate account, I just call it like I see it. I called Jokic once again struggling against a upper tier team. I called him not showing he's able to uplift his team vs what some consider a slightly superior team in talent.. I see a guy who even though he possess all time offensive ability defer to others and play passively, content with not contesting shots so he can have better chance to rebound and pad his stats. A guy who would rather pass to Christian Braun when the whole world knows he's bad.

Sometimes all time great players just have to shoulder the load and say I'm dropping 40 tonight. Jokic hasn't done that. Shooting the ball 14 and 15 times in consecutive playoff games is pathetic for any #1 option, much less a guy being prematurely annointed as a top 10 player of all time smack dab in the middle of his prime.

Make all the excuses you want. Jokic just might be the best #2 we've ever seen, ill give him that.

content with not contesting shots so he can have better chance to rebound and pad his stats, or is it because if he get's in foul trouble they are done, they have no one to back up at 5 except Deandre.

[Beethoven]

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Aaron Gordon said he can barely jump right now. This has to be the first time ever that injury luck actually favors the Clippers. Won’t last though lol. Dort will probably injure a couple Clippers players if they advance.

Let the excuses begin for the mcnuggitz

[Handlez]

Will this series match this first round banger from 2015? Kawhi was in that one too, but couldn't come through in games 5-7.

Watch on YouTube

I actually hope not as I'd rather the Clippers NOT play 7 games

Damn that series and game 7 were epic.

Down to the last possession.

[ejftw]

Will this series match this first round banger from 2015? Kawhi was in that one too, but couldn't come through in games 5-7.

Watch on YouTube

I actually hope not as I'd rather the Clippers NOT play 7 games

Patty Mills was with Kawhi in that series too, if I'm not mistaken

[Infinite Llamas]

This is basically the same tired BS people used to say about Magic, FWIW. It wasn't insightful then, and it isn't now.

Why u guys even try. He is troll, formerly known as Chokic. Either that or just brainless, but i refuse to believe that any1 who watched a game of NBA basketball can be so dumb.

Don't know who Chokic is but that's a clever name. I personally like the name Fatkic, it makes me chuckle.

I am not a troll or alternate account, I just call it like I see it. I called Jokic once again struggling against a upper tier team. I called him not showing he's able to uplift his team vs what some consider a slightly superior team in talent.. I see a guy who even though he possess all time offensive ability defer to others and play passively, content with not contesting shots so he can have better chance to rebound and pad his stats. A guy who would rather pass to Christian Braun when the whole world knows he's bad.

Sometimes all time great players just have to shoulder the load and say I'm dropping 40 tonight. Jokic hasn't done that. Shooting the ball 14 and 15 times in consecutive playoff games is pathetic for any #1 option, much less a guy being prematurely annointed as a top 10 player of all time smack dab in the middle of his prime.

Make all the excuses you want. Jokic just might be the best #2 we've ever seen, ill give him that.

Lmao they lose last night even if Jokic scores 40.

He’s making the right play. Passing to the open man. It’s a wake up call to management to tell them to find dudes that can hit the most wide open shots imaginable. Jokic knows exactly what he’s doing.

[Ruma85]

Why u guys even try. He is troll, formerly known as Chokic. Either that or just brainless, but i refuse to believe that any1 who watched a game of NBA basketball can be so dumb.

Don't know who Chokic is but that's a clever name. I personally like the name Fatkic, it makes me chuckle.

I am not a troll or alternate account, I just call it like I see it. I called Jokic once again struggling against a upper tier team. I called him not showing he's able to uplift his team vs what some consider a slightly superior team in talent.. I see a guy who even though he possess all time offensive ability defer to others and play passively, content with not contesting shots so he can have better chance to rebound and pad his stats. A guy who would rather pass to Christian Braun when the whole world knows he's bad.

Sometimes all time great players just have to shoulder the load and say I'm dropping 40 tonight. Jokic hasn't done that. Shooting the ball 14 and 15 times in consecutive playoff games is pathetic for any #1 option, much less a guy being prematurely annointed as a top 10 player of all time smack dab in the middle of his prime.

Make all the excuses you want. Jokic just might be the best #2 we've ever seen, ill give him that.

Lmao they lose last night even if Jokic scores 40.

He’s making the right play. Passing to the open man. It’s a wake up call to management to tell them to find dudes that can hit the most wide open shots imaginable. Jokic knows exactly what he’s doing.

The real truth is they all need to play better collectively otherwise this ends in 5.

[jym85]

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Aaron Gordon said he can barely jump right now. This has to be the first time ever that injury luck actually favors the Clippers. Won’t last though lol. Dort will probably injure a couple Clippers players if they advance.

Let the excuses begin for the mcnuggitz

how is it an excuse when it's reality?

[Lunartic]

Sounds like some previously banned Embiid fans are pleasuring themselves in this gamethread

[Wolfgang630]

Sounds like some previously banned Embiid fans are pleasuring themselves in this gamethread

Maybe some. Lots of Lakers fans who want to see Denver fail

[OkcSinceSGA]

Joker needs to fricking take 25-30 shots this next game. All great scorers will shoot the ball. Forget everyone else for once. If you take 30 shots and lose the game that’s fine. But you need to have that mentality for one game. I’d rather my best player take 30 shots and lose at this point.

I think the Clippers should be prepared for this, and run a 4-1 defense basically. Zubac or Simmons or Batum roam the paint as the rotating rim/help defender and lock down the 3 point line at all costs. Let Jokic go for 70, the math won't work out in their favor if everyone else is locked down and or injured.

[Exp0sed]

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Aaron Gordon said he can barely jump right now. This has to be the first time ever that injury luck actually favors the Clippers. Won’t last though lol. Dort will probably injure a couple Clippers players if they advance.

yeah, they were cooked anyway but obiously with their depth being a huge issue to begin with and the lack of a bench, the guys that were supposed to step up like Braun (who has in his defense, stepped up in rs just not in the playoffs), Watson etc. aren't delivering, MPJ injured, WB injured, Murray injured and AG hurting and limited the Nuggets don't have a chance of winning another game in this series so a guaranteed gentelman's sweep

I think at full health the Clippers would have still won the series but it would have gone to 6 or 7

Jokic has played great (his first half of game 3 was unreal) but even he alone can't win them another game. this one is done and dusted and would obviously (finally) facilitate some moves from the new Nuggets front office as one will be appointed

[hardenASG13]

Lots of pressure on him in game 4! All timers lead in these situations, they don't play their normal game and hope their teammates, who aren't all stars, rasie their game and come through. This is on Jokic.

Do they?

Do we need to remind you about Harden quitting vs. Spurs (10 pts, 6 TO, 11 FGA vs. Kawhi-less Spurs in a 39 point elimination game rout)?
About Kobe quitting in Game 7 vs the Suns (3 FGA all 2nd half)?
About LeBron quitting in 2010 vs. the Celtics?

I don't think any of Jokic's games were on par with the quit level displayed there ^

No those games stand out still despite happening years ago. Lots of years ago. Thats the point. If jokic just rolls over and doesn't at least try to dominate offensively it won't be a good look and could maybe join that list.

I imagine he's trying to avoid that though? It's a must win game for Denver and he's a 3x MVP in his prime. There's pressure on him.

[hardenASG13]

Also, please. You think he's shooting enough? You're standing by that, huh? What if, he started shooting more and making some off script, tough shots. To the point it became problematic for the Clippers defense. Wouldn't they have to adjust things? Do you think that'd make things easier for his teammates to play better or harder? Do you think when a superstar is scorching the other team it helps or hurts his teammates confidence and energy? HURRR. Jordan's team struggles were against the 80s Celtics and bad boy pistons. This is a first round series against a team with a thin front court, who Denver had a better season then, and has been led by a semi declined James Harden, who this board brands as a loser and choker for not beating the mini dynasty warriors.

Yes, I think he's shooting enough. I don't think it'd make a difference if he shot more, because if his guys don't hit shots, Denver is losing anyway.

Nothing about him shooting would do anything for them. It isn't going to help.

Meantime, your characterization of LAC is horridly off. They don't have a thin frontcourt, Zubac is an extremely relevant individual, and they have two high-end perimeter guys beating the pants off of Denver's perimeter guys. The fact that it is in the first round is entirely irrelevant.

Bro he’s just saying words to get to some Harden>Jokic conclusion. All time or now, or both. Im not sure lol

Not at all, I'm not a Harden fan at all, simply made the name as an OKC fan during the 2012 season, predicting he'd be an all star the next year. Once he was traded I stopped following him unless he played OKC, who i was a fan of.

If you disagree with points I'm making, feel free to dispute them. This is a board to argue about basketball.