Game 72: Denver Nuggets (34-37) @ Indiana Pacers (36-35) - 7:00 PM ET

[ducler]

[Pacers_Freak]

Talk about a no show... This team is tough to watch.

[NuggetsWY]

Talk about a no show... This team is tough to watch.

Love some of the Pacers' players. Last year it just seemed like the players didn't quite fit together and maybe even more so this year, but I haven't figured out why. It seems like a team that can play quick or strong or even a mix.

Regardless of where the Pacers finish, I believe they could beat most of the East, except probably Cleveland and even there, no one knows. I didn't say "favored to win" or "will win" but "could beat".

My favorite team in the east is Toronto, but I wouldn't mind seeing Indiana vs. Cleveland for the conference championship. It might be an excellent matchup. The starters compare favorably but your bench and theirs are vastly different. It could get interesting and that series would probably result in short rotations for both teams, which would favor the west (maybe). Good luck!!!

[Pacersike]

Love some of the Pacers' players. Last year it just seemed like the players didn't quite fit together and maybe even more so this year, but I haven't figured out why. It seems like a team that can play quick or strong or even a mix.

Regardless of where the Pacers finish, I believe they could beat most of the East, except probably Cleveland and even there, no one knows. I didn't say "favored to win" or "will win" but "could beat".

My favorite team in the east is Toronto, but I wouldn't mind seeing Indiana vs. Cleveland for the conference championship. It might be an excellent matchup. The starters compare favorably but your bench and theirs are vastly different. It could get interesting and that series would probably result in short rotations for both teams, which would favor the west (maybe). Good luck!!!

You'd wish the Pacers were that good of a team, but they aren't

I wish I could say the same nice things about your team, but I'm afraid I can not. Nikola Jokic is one helluva great offensive player but he lacks some defense. Which is going to become problematic as soon as Denver will try to contend, because Jokic plays center.
Just ask Vucevic and the Magic or Al Jefferson his former teams. Jokic is better than them, but his defense is comparable.

Denver is great at finding players in the draft though, so it is possible I might change my opinion about Denver's ceiling.

[The Rebel]

Love some of the Pacers' players. Last year it just seemed like the players didn't quite fit together and maybe even more so this year, but I haven't figured out why. It seems like a team that can play quick or strong or even a mix.

Regardless of where the Pacers finish, I believe they could beat most of the East, except probably Cleveland and even there, no one knows. I didn't say "favored to win" or "will win" but "could beat".

My favorite team in the east is Toronto, but I wouldn't mind seeing Indiana vs. Cleveland for the conference championship. It might be an excellent matchup. The starters compare favorably but your bench and theirs are vastly different. It could get interesting and that series would probably result in short rotations for both teams, which would favor the west (maybe). Good luck!!!

You'd wish the Pacers were that good of a team, but they aren't

I wish I could say the same nice things about your team, but I'm afraid I can not. Nikola Jokic is one helluva great offensive player but he lacks some defense. Which is going to become problematic as soon as Denver will try to contend, because Jokic plays center.
Just ask Vucevic and the Magic or Al Jefferson his former teams. Jokic is better than them, but his defense is comparable.

Denver is great at finding players in the draft though, so it is possible I might change my opinion about Denver's ceiling.

Sorry but Vucevic and Jefferson were not even close to the defender that Jokic is even still trying to get in shape and completely carrying an offense.

[NuggetsWY]

Love some of the Pacers' players. Last year it just seemed like the players didn't quite fit together and maybe even more so this year, but I haven't figured out why. It seems like a team that can play quick or strong or even a mix.

Regardless of where the Pacers finish, I believe they could beat most of the East, except probably Cleveland and even there, no one knows. I didn't say "favored to win" or "will win" but "could beat".

My favorite team in the east is Toronto, but I wouldn't mind seeing Indiana vs. Cleveland for the conference championship. It might be an excellent matchup. The starters compare favorably but your bench and theirs are vastly different. It could get interesting and that series would probably result in short rotations for both teams, which would favor the west (maybe). Good luck!!!

You'd wish the Pacers were that good of a team, but they aren't

I wish I could say the same nice things about your team, but I'm afraid I can not. Nikola Jokic is one helluva great offensive player but he lacks some defense. Which is going to become problematic as soon as Denver will try to contend, because Jokic plays center.
Just ask Vucevic and the Magic or Al Jefferson his former teams. Jokic is better than them, but his defense is comparable.

Denver is great at finding players in the draft though, so it is possible I might change my opinion about Denver's ceiling.

Yeah, Denver is still catching people by surprise and being taken for granted. NBA teams have a way of adjusting and a 7 game series is an entirely different world. Most Denver fans are ecstatic over what's happening but deep down understand that we need a couple of more/different players and our young players need to develop and learn.

[Pacersike]

Sorry but Vucevic and Jefferson were not even close to the defender that Jokic is even still trying to get in shape and completely carrying an offense.

I believe it is closer than you think and I see comparisons with both Vucevic and Jefferson, but you make good points.
For such a young player having to carry the offense like he has being doing, it's too much to ask of him to also anchor a good defense.
If he can get into better shape, it is possible he will have enough energy left to not be a defensive liability.

Possible, but I don't think he will ever become a much better defender than Vuc or Jef and it just very hard to find defensive difference makers who don't play the center position. Most DPOY go to centers. That is why I am a bit careful about predicting greatness for Denver even when Jokic has offensive greatness written all over him. And he is a big joy to watch.

[The Rebel]

Sorry but Vucevic and Jefferson were not even close to the defender that Jokic is even still trying to get in shape and completely carrying an offense.

I believe it is closer than you think and I see comparisons with both Vucevic and Jefferson, but you make good points.
For such a young player having to carry the offense like he has being doing, it's too much to ask of him to also anchor a good defense.
If he can get into better shape, it is possible he will have enough energy left to not be a defensive liability.

Possible, but I don't think he will ever become a much better defender than Vuc or Jef and it just very hard to find defensive difference makers who don't play the center position. Most DPOY go to centers. That is why I am a bit careful about predicting greatness for Denver even when Jokic has offensive greatness written all over him. And he is a big joy to watch.

Jokic is not a defensive liability, the Nuggets defense is actually better with him on the court than they are without him. The same cannot be said about Jefferson or Vucevic even in their best years. So no it is not closer than I think.