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

[bbms]

jokic fanatics makes me say

get that fat ass to play defense

with such enthusiasm it's crazy. and i love the guy

[Wolfgang630]

jokic fanatics makes me say

get that fat ass to play defense

with such enthusiasm it's crazy. and i love the guy

Yeah im sure he would’ve shaved off 40 points by playing defense

[Bergmaniac]

I love Jokic myself but some of you are way over the top in defending him no matter what. Arguing that JWill was the one at fault when Jokic jumped on him is just silly. And complaining about the refs after last night's epic beatdown is ridiculous.

[hardenASG13]

Your entire posting history is full with hating on Jokic. What has he done to you? Which of your favorite players has he owned that caused this trauma?

I tell the Painful Truth on Jokic

What’s the “painful truth” (Jokic was really bad last night to be clear)

That Jokic has been playing dirty in these playoffs and doing bush league tactics (wrestling for the ball with coaches, wiping sweat on the ball deliberately)? And Hot Rocks is having a 10 page meltdown over 1 play, that was borderline flagrant by Jokic, in a 40 point game at that point?

[EmpireFalls]

Jokic isn’t even close to the problem but the idea that he’s the best player since Jordan makes me laugh.

[Deathray]

I just realized that the next game in the series is late Friday then afternoon Sunday. Brutal for a team with no depth.

[MrPainfulTruth]

I tell the Painful Truth on Jokic

What’s the “painful truth” (Jokic was really bad last night to be clear)

That Jokic has been playing dirty in these playoffs and doing bush league tactics (wrestling for the ball with coaches, wiping sweat on the ball deliberately)? And Hot Rocks is having a 10 page meltdown over 1 play, that was borderline flagrant by Jokic, in a 40 point game at that point?

Hot rocks is writing about his team, and it was a legit gripe with the call. You, on the other hand...not a single soul has understood why you are here or why you try to take this thread hostage. You are not a fan of either team and all you do is hate on Jokic for some reason. With the weirdest talking points, too.

[hardenASG13]

What’s the “painful truth” (Jokic was really bad last night to be clear)

That Jokic has been playing dirty in these playoffs and doing bush league tactics (wrestling for the ball with coaches, wiping sweat on the ball deliberately)? And Hot Rocks is having a 10 page meltdown over 1 play, that was borderline flagrant by Jokic, in a 40 point game at that point?

Hot rocks is writing about his team, and it was a legit gripe with the call. You, on the other hand...not a single soul has understood why you are here or why you try to take this thread hostage. You are not a fan of either team and all you do is hate on Jokic for some reason. With the weirdest talking points, too.

I discuss Jokic on here a bunch, why wouldn't I post in this thread? I didn't bring up the talking point on the Williams play, which I'm sorry, is embarrassing to dispute if you've ever played basketball. Williams is (rightfully) fronting Jokic. If you're doing that to a player, who is trying to cross behind you, you have to back into them. Otherwise what would happen? Jokic would root him up the lane and they throw it over the top for an easy layup. This is a common defensive play for a game like this, and Jokic decided to jump onto his back in an attempt to flop. Dangerous/dirty play for a guy that size.

[hardenASG13]

love Jokic myself but some of you are way over the top in defending him no matter what. He Arguing that JWill was the one at fault when Jokic jumped on him is just silly. And complaining about the refs aftee last night's epic beatdown is ridiculous.

Thank you! Talking about the refs, and that play in particular, for pages, is such an embarrassing look.

[MyTake_1]

Nuggets should return the favor, put Dario in, Jordan in, let them knock a few teeth out of Dort and Shai, see how they like it. An eye for an eye.

[Special_Puppy]

Nuggets should return the favor, put Dario in, Jordan in, let them knock a few teeth out of Dort and Shai, see how they like it. An eye for an eye.

What did SGA do lol. Dort has a reputation as a dirty player, but SGA?

[bbms]

Nuggets should return the favor, put Dario in, Jordan in, let them knock a few teeth out of Dort and Shai, see how they like it. An eye for an eye.

problem is dario and jordan might be the ones to be knocked out

nuggets should ask for a eastern conference move, so soft

[MyTake_1]

Nuggets should return the favor, put Dario in, Jordan in, let them knock a few teeth out of Dort and Shai, see how they like it. An eye for an eye.

What did SGA do lol. Dort has a reputation as a dirty player, but SGA?

What did Jokic do, I would go after SGA same way they go after Jokic.

[lethalizer]

I think Denver should just hire a couple of serial killers and eliminate whoever gets in their way.

Refs, Dort, Jaylin Williams, SGA, etc.

[Impuniti]

A good defense is not possible with a team starting Jokic/Murray/MPJ. They should probably trade MPJ in the offseason for a guy like Wiggins.

For just this series, I think you completely replace MPJ's minutes with Westbrook and Watson and pray those guys can hit some open 3s.

I agree with you on both ends. I'm responding to the guy who says WB has been the best defender on the team but worries about his offense since his 3P% is only 32%.

I also think the FO thinks like the poster I quoted. Overemphasis on offense, then we hear Denver and other NBA fans whine and complain when Denver falters due to their defense. Jokic is a center and isn't that good defensively. The goal should be to make his job easier this summer.

In short, everything you said is simplified, purely box score based opinion. On top of that presented with a condescending attitude like you know more than the people regularily following Denver. Offense and defense are connected. If you have no flow on offense, you have no transition defense either. Whenever Denvers offense is working, they are much better on D too, because they force their opponent to take the ball oout of the basket - whereas the random chucking of Murray and MPJ leads to fastbreaks with poor matchups. On top of that, Jokic is forced to run the entire offense to keep them afloat and people still whine that he isnt at the same time their best defender. Its delusional. Sometimes watching the game helps. Actually always.

That's the case with every team in existance. The more you score, the less you have to deal with transition defense. That doesn't justify Denver being completely embarrassing defensively. If you want Jokic to be a serious contender for championships, your GM will need to switch strategies and add emphasis on defense and have Jokic work his magic offensively. Otherwise you and all the Denver fans can gawk at the offensive number as you watch the team become fodder any time they play anybody relevant in the playoffs.

When the team is this bad defensively, you haven't presented much of a case for MPJ starting over WB outside of better shotmaking and less transition defense issues. He's also hurt, which should make the decision easier.

[Mrakar]

If i am Adelman, im starting Saric over MPJ. Saric then has to floor Dort in first possession, doesnt matter offense or defense. Set the tone, that is the way to win. Thunder are much better team, and when they are allowed to do their illegal/qestionable or barely legal stuff, depending who you ask, they are unbeatable. Im not against letting them play, i like physical basketball but in that case you cant call lame ass offensive fouls on Jokic. Hope we dont see Foster this series anymore, but we all know he is comming back if one team has 3-2 lead.

[durden_tyler]

If i am Adelman, im starting Saric over MPJ. Saric then has to floor Dort in first possession, doesnt matter offense or defense. Set the tone, that is the way to win. Thunder are much better team, and when they are allowed to do their illegal/qestionable or barely legal stuff, depending who you ask, they are unbeatable. Im not against letting them play, i like physical basketball but in that case you cant call lame ass offensive fouls on Jokic. Hope we dont see Foster this series anymore, but we all know he is comming back if one team has 3-2 lead.

Nuggets don't have that enforcer though. From top to bottom, all of them look soft.

[Michael Jackson]

Nuggets should return the favor, put Dario in, Jordan in, let them knock a few teeth out of Dort and Shai, see how they like it. An eye for an eye.

problem is dario and jordan might be the ones to be knocked out

nuggets should ask for a eastern conference move, so soft

I think Jordan was looking at assisted living places today, yeah don’t send him out there to do that. It would be wrong.

[stoo]

tonight will be telling

[Mavrelous]

Nuggets did what they needed by stealing game 1, Jokic will deliver, I fully expect them to bring the toughness and physicality needed, they will rise and fall on Murray, if he brings his efficient 40-piece game, they have a shot.
They are outmatched on the talent front, they need perfect execution, great shooting and lots of luck.
Can't wait for tonight's game.