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

[bisme37]

Game 3: Friday May 9, 10pm ET on ESPN





Continued from here: https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2457646

[cjx]

Salutations my erudite RealGM Fam

My prophecy for you is still on track, the Nuggets shall win Game 3

Mile High Might 4Ever, you know what time it is

King Joker is dropping 39 pts, 16 rebs and 9 asts tonight

Say it with me: Nuggets Country, We Shall Prevail !!

[JM00n69]

Any of you guys remember the Kobe LAL bandwagoners and the GSW/MIA casual fanboys when they were winning everything? Remember the homerism and how **** clueless and obnoxious they were?

I've noticed we've got a few OKC ones posting and puffing their chests like they belong to that group. Need reminding the post Seattle team hasn't even made the finals yet and you nearly got swept last year?? Talking like you been a playoff tested finals team for the last few years. I suppose acting tough is all you've got, might as well enjoy it til you get eliminated again.

[Wolfgang630]

Why does every other series get an extra day off in their series, but this one is every other day except IF there’s a game 7

[JM00n69]

That G2 was very similar to one of the MIN games last playoffs where the defensive physicality was turned to 110% from the start of the game and refs allowed it. Instead of adjusting to it, Denver moaned but never adjusted the game plan. That quickly destroyed them mentally and it was game over.

To be fair they always come out a bit hesitant and slowly get to their rythm. Can't afford it G3. They need to be ready for a very physical game and instead of throwing their hands up go into the contact strong and play much quicker with off ball cuts. Take it in and try to finish. Crash the boards and rotate/play phisical defense themselves.

They're great at transition offense but OKC will not allow them to set into the slow half court offense. Need to move the ball and everyone move off ball not just MPJ/CB staning in the corners. Wont work against OKC they're too good and quick at reading it and collapsing their defence and closing passing lanes. Need some effort and confidense from Denver this game and need it from the start.

[bledredwine]

Between Shai and Jokic, Shai has been the better player in the playoffs, straight up.
Stats confirm this as well.

No excuses, including for me. He's proving himself.

And I love it, because I want more legitimate star talent in the league and that requires consistency,
which he has had.

I root for him.
But I also had my doubts since I don't acknowledge stars until they're proven, but I don't doubt him now.

1-1. Let's see what happens next.

[falcolombardi]

Any of you guys remember the Kobe LAL bandwagoners and the GSW/MIA casual fanboys when they were winning everything? Remember the homerism and how **** clueless and obnoxious they were?

I've noticed we've got a few OKC ones posting and puffing their chests like they belong to that group. Need reminding the post Seattle team hasn't even made the finals yet and you nearly got swept last year?? Talking like you been a playoff tested finals team for the last few years. I suppose acting tough is all you've got, might as well enjoy it til you get eliminated again.

Uhh, ok?

[TinmanZBoy]

That G2 was very similar to one of the MIN games last playoffs where the defensive physicality was turned to 110% from the start of the game and refs allowed it. Instead of adjusting to it, Denver moaned but never adjusted the game plan. That quickly destroyed them mentally and it was game over.

To be fair they always come out a bit hesitant and slowly get to their rythm. Can't afford it G3. They need to be ready for a very physical game and instead of throwing their hands up go into the contact strong and play much quicker with off ball cuts. Take it in and try to finish. Crash the boards and rotate/play phisical defense themselves.

They're great at transition offense but OKC will not allow them to set into the slow half court offense. Need to move the ball and everyone move off ball not just MPJ/CB staning in the corners. Wont work against OKC they're too good and quick at reading it and collapsing their defence and closing passing lanes. Need some effort and confidense from Denver this game and need it from the start.

It is similar not only one but also a couple of more… they did find counter by helping Jamal release his ball handling duty, AG really is an asset, dude can do a little bit everything including handling the ball…joker could not hit his threes in that series, otherwise the winning team would have been Nuggets… MPJ is still the softie himself…it has to be a collective effort to overcome the overwhelming physicality… Joker himself can’t save the day… however teams do know better how to beat Nuggets… just make Murray and MPJ their bitches and rough up Joker

[Special_Puppy]

Between Shai and Jokic, Shai has been the better player in the playoffs, straight up.
Stats confirm this as well.

No excuses, including for me. He's proving himself.

And I love it, because I want more legitimate star talent in the league and that requires consistency,
which he has had.

I root for him.
But I also had my doubts since I don't acknowledge stars until they're proven, but I don't doubt him now.

1-1. Let's see what happens next.

What players in the league would you consider legitimate star talent?

[Wolfgang630]

Must win for Denver mentality. You can say you can lose this game and win game 4 and still be fine sure. I still would have this is a must win mentality because OKC is the superior team.

[JM00n69]

That G2 was very similar to one of the MIN games last playoffs where the defensive physicality was turned to 110% from the start of the game and refs allowed it. Instead of adjusting to it, Denver moaned but never adjusted the game plan. That quickly destroyed them mentally and it was game over.

To be fair they always come out a bit hesitant and slowly get to their rythm. Can't afford it G3. They need to be ready for a very physical game and instead of throwing their hands up go into the contact strong and play much quicker with off ball cuts. Take it in and try to finish. Crash the boards and rotate/play phisical defense themselves.

They're great at transition offense but OKC will not allow them to set into the slow half court offense. Need to move the ball and everyone move off ball not just MPJ/CB staning in the corners. Wont work against OKC they're too good and quick at reading it and collapsing their defence and closing passing lanes. Need some effort and confidense from Denver this game and need it from the start.

It is similar not only one but also a couple of more… they did find counter by helping Jamal release his ball handling duty, AG really is an asset, dude can do a little bit everything including handling the ball…joker could not hit his threes in that series, otherwise the winning team would have been Nuggets… MPJ is still the softie himself…it has to be a collective effort to overcome the overwhelming physicality… Joker himself can’t save the day… however teams do know better how to beat Nuggets… just make Murray and MPJ their bitches and rough up Joker

Yeah MPJ has been very bad this series on both sides/nevermind playing through an injury. Shot is not falling, he's slow on D anyway but that's an even bigger negative against this OKC team. He's also been very bad on the boards and he can't handle the ball.

I can forgive Adelman if he starts him in G3 to see if he can get his shot going early but he should be the first sub out otherwise and I mean 3-4mins in. He'll have more success as a second unit playing as the stretch 4. The starting lineup needs another ball handler to bring it up court and initiate the plays so Murray and Jokic don't need to do it all game and get pressed/doubled. AG/CB/Russ should be doing that half the time with the starting 5.

And if MPJ can't hit his shots just get PWat in instead with the starters. Got plenty of scoring from the others but a much better 1v1 and help defender who gives more effort and will crash the boards.

[Wolfgang630]

If you can win this game as a team then get a Playoff Murray game in game 4 you’d probably be fine. He’s only good for one “playoff Murray” game per series it looks like.

[JM00n69]

Must win for Denver mentality. You can say you can lose this game and win game 4 and still be fine sure. I still would have this is a must win mentality because OKC is the superior team.

I agree. G4 at home as well though and Denver is not a team to give up. Came back and won being down 3-1 in 2020 against UTAH then LAC in the next round.You saw that same mentality in G1 this series as well. They do believe in themselves when the chips are down. But OKC absolutely destroyed them and that confidence in G2, made them look like a senior Sunday pickup team. See how they bounce back.

[lethalizer]

Any of you guys remember the Kobe LAL bandwagoners and the GSW/MIA casual fanboys when they were winning everything? Remember the homerism and how **** clueless and obnoxious they were?

I've noticed we've got a few OKC ones posting and puffing their chests like they belong to that group. Need reminding the post Seattle team hasn't even made the finals yet and you nearly got swept last year?? Talking like you been a playoff tested finals team for the last few years. I suppose acting tough is all you've got, might as well enjoy it til you get eliminated again.

Gonna need you to cite some examples here. Who is huffing and puffing? Or are you fighting imaginary ghosts?

Jokic is a hell of a player but his stans are sure weird, man.

[MrPainfulTruth]

I keep repeating myself. If Murray and MPJ show up, they have a chance to win. Otherwise Jokic is playing 1 on 5 or even 1 on 8 like last game, impossible task. Not even space jam MJ would win that.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Post without complaining about the refs challenge

[MoneyTalks41890]

Any of you guys remember the Kobe LAL bandwagoners and the GSW/MIA casual fanboys when they were winning everything? Remember the homerism and how **** clueless and obnoxious they were?

I've noticed we've got a few OKC ones posting and puffing their chests like they belong to that group. Need reminding the post Seattle team hasn't even made the finals yet and you nearly got swept last year?? Talking like you been a playoff tested finals team for the last few years. I suppose acting tough is all you've got, might as well enjoy it til you get eliminated again.

Gonna need you to cite some examples here. Who is huffing and puffing? Or are you fighting imaginary ghosts?

Jokic is a hell of a player but his stans are sure weird, man.

That poster is the only person I've ever put on ignore. Hasn't made a substantive post yet, just completely worthless content.

[Special_Puppy]

I keep repeating myself. If Murray and MPJ show up, they have a chance to win. Otherwise Jokic is playing 1 on 5 or even 1 on 8 like last game, impossible task. Not even space jam MJ would win that.

Jokic didn't show up last game either

[Clav]

Any of you guys remember the Kobe LAL bandwagoners and the GSW/MIA casual fanboys when they were winning everything? Remember the homerism and how **** clueless and obnoxious they were?

I've noticed we've got a few OKC ones posting and puffing their chests like they belong to that group. Need reminding the post Seattle team hasn't even made the finals yet and you nearly got swept last year?? Talking like you been a playoff tested finals team for the last few years. I suppose acting tough is all you've got, might as well enjoy it til you get eliminated again.

Gonna need you to cite some examples here. Who is huffing and puffing? Or are you fighting imaginary ghosts?

Jokic is a hell of a player but his stans are sure weird, man.

To Jmoon - "Post Seattle" teams hasn't made Finals yet is incorrect, OKC has, in 2011-2012.

[Wolfgang630]

Legit are we going to see MPJ show up? I think he’s too injured to with his shooting. It’s probably hard for him to grab rebounds