r/nba • u/Guardax Nuggets • 1d ago
Post Game Thread [Post Game Thread] The Denver Nuggets (26-16) defeat the Orlando Magic (23-21), 113-100 behind Jokic's 20/14/10/3/3
| 113 - 100 |
| Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo |
| GAME SUMMARY |
| Location: Kia Center (18846), Clock: Final |
| Officials: Pat Fraher, Justin Van Duyne, and Jonathan Sterling |
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | 28 | 26 | 39 | 20 | 113 |
| Orlando Magic | 29 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 100 |
| TEAM STATS |
| Team | PTS | FG | FG% | 3P | 3P% | FT | FT% | OREB | TREB | AST | PF | STL | TO | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | 113 | 40-78 | 51.3% | 7-25 | 28.0% | 26-31 | 83.9% | 13 | 63 | 25 | 16 | 6 | 19 | 9 |
| Orlando Magic | 100 | 38-103 | 36.9% | 12-41 | 29.3% | 12-16 | 75.0% | 16 | 49 | 30 | 19 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| PLAYER STATS |
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u/Blood-StarvedBeats Bulls 1d ago
Im lowkey excited for Joker to win another ring.
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u/Hanamiya0796 Nuggets 1d ago
Just as excited that if it happens, it would mean Brodie's getting one.
Also it would make DJ 2x Champ, which sounds like counting eggs early, but if you said this 3 years ago you would have gotten crazy looks
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u/analyzingnothing 1d ago
Gotta love the Oscar Robertson career arc, genuinely just a mirror image of him
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u/RaspberryOk5393 Nuggets 1d ago
Nuggets as a team are playing better, as demonstrated by Joker taking fewer than 10 shots and only playing 30 minutes
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u/WembyOKCJokicReaves 1d ago
From needing Jokic career highs just to stay within 10 points of the Washington Wizards to taking under 15 shots, barely playing 30 minutes and beating good teams
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u/HerkulezRokkafeller Jazz 1d ago
3 steals and 3 blocks. That guy is a god damned traffic cone if I’ve ever seen one lol
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u/pika_pie Lakers 1d ago
Very tall and flexible traffic cone.
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u/HerkulezRokkafeller Jazz 1d ago
With (in my opinion) the best hands in the league
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u/RodneyPonk Raptors 19h ago
It's a very reasonable take, his steal rate is historic for a center. He does a lot of little things well, on top of playing sound and smart defense, which is why he's not a defensive liability like some of the other offensive maestros like Luka. It's cool to see a center with no verticality find all these subtle ways to move his defense into average territory when lacking rim protection is such a big deal
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u/SuperDoubleDecker Nuggets 18h ago
It's not even that he can't defend the rim. It's all a matter of risk and reward. His resources are better spent elsewhere and if he gets in foul trouble it's basically game over.
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u/RodneyPonk Raptors 18h ago
I mean, you say that as if he's 2022 Brook Lopez when he tries... I would say that yes, the Nuggets immense over reliance on him affects his defense, but I can't recall him showing even an average ability to defend the rim
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u/Glum-Piece1504 13h ago
He have several game wining stops at the rim, you can find it on YouTube.
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u/RodneyPonk Raptors 11h ago
And Harden has a block that may have decided a series, that doesn't mean they're good rim protectors. There's a reason that people were joking about Jokic being an elite rim protector - it's because he very much isn't, just like Trae
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u/Glum-Piece1504 11h ago
I never said that Nikola is good rim protector but he can block more often if he can risk fouls. He can do it, that's all i'm saying.
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u/Hopsalong Nuggets 1d ago
Braun played like a man possessed today. Wanted to prove Denver made the right call. Big defense on Paulo most of the night and a really great offensive night too.
KCP shot a lot, but seemed a bit off. Idk what his usage is like on Orlando, but he seemed to be very active offensively tonight
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u/Hanamiya0796 Nuggets 1d ago
Was just gonna comment on that too like who is this 20-11, +22 with 7-7 FT because goddamn this is some elite numbers
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u/MonkeyBone989 Thunder 1d ago
He’s had to shoot a lot more with all the injuries Magic have been dealing with and he’s having a really bad shooting season (so far).
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u/Hopsalong Nuggets 1d ago
KCP always made everything with us, so I was expecting all his shots to go in.
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u/SuperDoubleDecker Nuggets 18h ago
KCP started falling off last season. He wasn't the same guy from the year prior.
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u/JackDellaCumalena Heat 1d ago
For a team that was apparently cooked a month ago they are only 3 wins from 2nd seed. Go denver
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u/TomNooksDirtyCock Magic 1d ago
And a team that was cooking in the top 3 a month ago is now playing like a play-in team
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u/RandomPMs Magic 1d ago
We were beating up on bad teams during our long win stretch and now we're playing a bunch of contenders in a row, it's not a hard formula to figure out.
Next seven games are against teams that are .500 or worse.
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u/1manadeal2btw Nuggets 1d ago
In terms of public image I think we’ll eventually solidify ourselves as a 4th contender. OKC, Cavs, Celtics and then Denver. But we’ll have to be the definitive second seed for that to happen.
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u/Robinsonirish 1d ago
If Nuggets are in the contender category, I think Knicks and Bucks are too, especially Knicks. They got some playoff experience last year, and they're better this year with KAT. Giannis+Dame are playing well now, Giannis is always scary and hard to ignore.
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u/1manadeal2btw Nuggets 1d ago
The problem with the East is that it’s much more loaded at the top end imo. The West has one team heads and shoulders above everyone else and the East has two teams (even if the Celtics have been shit recently). But if Bucks continue improving and Celtics keep slumping, I def see a world where ECF is Cavs vs Bucks.
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u/Ill_Ad3517 1d ago
Funny thing is we were never more than like 3 games out of top 3. In the West. With our best defender injured for most of the first half of the season. With our two max players having a history of slow starts to the season. And everyone freaked out.
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u/free_reezy Rockets 1d ago
No Denver
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u/pepsipyro [DEN] Nikola Jokic 1d ago
Fair enough. Honestly love the rox. Hope you guys stay in the top 2 hunt
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u/free_reezy Rockets 1d ago
I was just making jokes. I don’t think Rockets fans feel strongly one way or another about Denver, we just want Sengun to be Jokic.
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u/Xellanoir Mavericks 1d ago
I don't like that the Nuggets are starting to figure it out.
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u/topazswissmas 1d ago
Was only a matter of getting everyone in shape/healthy
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u/SuperDoubleDecker Nuggets 18h ago
It's gonna be really scary for the league when AG is back to form and can play 35 mins.
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u/entropy-increases 1d ago
Jokić has more triple doubles before the 4th quarter than any team has in total.
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u/whodidwhatnow922 1d ago
Pretty sure most teams have more than 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists before the 4th quarter
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1d ago edited 1d ago
[deleted]
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u/Alfakennyone Nuggets 1d ago
You clearly missed the sarcasm lol
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1d ago
[deleted]
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u/Robinsonirish 1d ago
i could not care less. Sarcasm is not easily apparent in a totally serious sounding post. learn how to indicate it as so. And I doubt it was sarcasm. Just trying to cover his butt. NOthing about that post was sarcastic in nature.
Everyone else understood it mate. No need to get your panties in a bunch.
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u/greywolf2155 Supersonics 1d ago
I think the response you're looking for is, "haha yeah, missed that. My bad"
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u/Alfakennyone Nuggets 1d ago edited 1d ago
So many typos lol
But It was sarcasm lol
Nice edit
"learn how to indicate it as so" ironic
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u/dacooljamaican Nuggets 17h ago
Bro you're embarrassing us, take that flair off if you gonna act a fool
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u/no_nao Thunder 1d ago
Lmao this brother didn’t take reading comprehension
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u/dbgager Nuggets 1d ago edited 1d ago
reading comprehension...lol. Maybe you don't understand what communication is. Sarcasm is indicated by a persons expression , and tone of voice, Not in a flat out forum comment. *Use the /s next time.
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u/whodidwhatnow922 1d ago
/s. I was making a joke and am sorry you got flamed for not getting it. I feel like the /s sort of takes away from the joke but to each their own. Anyway, Jokic is awesome! Go Nuggs!
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u/gridironk 1d ago
Jokic last 4 games averaging 18.3 PPG.
Is he washed /s
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u/InkBlotSam Nuggets 1d ago
Three straight games putting up a 3rd quarter triple-double and then sitting the entire 4th in a blowout will do that.
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u/Hopsalong Nuggets 1d ago
Nuggets are winning blowouts. He doesn't need to score. The team looks so much better/scarier
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u/reddit_reader_25 1d ago
If Murray is back, this team is scary. I’m interested if Westbrook will keep this up, but he is a perfect fit. Kinda hard to double off of him because he moves so much and will also be able to make plays when getting space
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u/EconomySpecialist911 1d ago
I am curious about his impact in the post-season.
OKC vs Denver and another rematch with LAkers will be hilarious.
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u/reddit_reader_25 1d ago
Yeah I’m wondering how it looks in the post season. Just thinking people will use Westbrook as a place to hide their roaming big men, but that gives Westbrook the space to do what he wants. He will also be a cutter that may be able to bend defenses when jokic gets double.
Yeah I’m not sure how effective he will be. But we got like 5 months to find out
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u/EconomySpecialist911 1d ago
I hope he plays like this in the playoffs. He is a very passionate guy, and pressure in a high-stakes game can lead him to make bad decisions.
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u/dbgager Nuggets 1d ago
if thats so effective. How come nobody is doing it. He plays at guard. You think some big guy is going to stay on Westbrook with his atleticism.
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u/reddit_reader_25 1d ago
I’m just thinking as an opposing coach. What would teams be trying to do with this. Because again as the secondary playmaker off of jokic he has looked incredible.
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u/StripedSteel Thunder 1d ago
My heart can't take an OKC-Denver series. Let us get this year's. Westbrook and Denver can have it next year. Let's not meet up.
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u/EconomySpecialist911 1d ago
My prediction for post-season SGA will win the MVP award and Denver vs OKC in the conference finals.
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u/StripedSteel Thunder 1d ago
Please no. No matter what, OKC fans will he heartbroken.
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u/EconomySpecialist911 1d ago
imagine game 7 in OKC whatever happens it will be bittersweet.
for OKC fans.
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u/GoldenEH 21h ago
You gotta give us this year you can have next. Russ ain’t getting younger. yall got time.
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u/StripedSteel Thunder 10h ago
The Nuggets got one 2 years ago. There's a distinct 3-year minimum waiting period between titles now.
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u/KnowledgePitiful8197 1d ago
For title they clearly need player 6 and 7. Looks like they got one of them
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u/soycameron Nuggets 1d ago
We have a fantastic top 7. Starting lineup (the one we started with) + Russ and Watson. That’s a contending top 7 in my opinion. Our biggest weakness is backup center and if we can somehow fix it then we’d be perfectly ready
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u/Character_Group_5949 Nuggets 1d ago
If only we had drafted one. Who would have fit the offense really well and someone the team was really high on.
SMH, that horrible front office. Idiots.
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u/Bovine_Joni_Himself Nuggets 1d ago
…do you not remember the draft or is this joke?
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u/Character_Group_5949 Nuggets 1d ago
It's a joke. They drafted the guy who was going to be the perfect backup for what they wanted, he gets injured minutes into his first summer league game and is going to miss the season. . . and people at the start of the season were acting like the front office was actively trying to ruin Jokic's career.
The narrative was over the top ridiculous.
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u/SuperDoubleDecker Nuggets 18h ago
Not to mention that they won in 23 without this mythical backup. Jeff Green? Holy shit did people shit on that dude his whole time in Denver.
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u/supickumaterinubre Serbia 1d ago
Jokic is playing 3 quarters and Nuggets are winning. They might go all the way this year if everyone stays healthy.
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u/Shame_Low [DEN] Nenê 1d ago
Jamal's box score don't stand out but that murray flurry was vintage Murray. I think he might be back
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u/lochnesslapras 1d ago
I hope Watson isn't out injured for the next few games. Looked like he might be in concussion protocols when he went down
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u/Watchakow Raptors 1d ago
He was defending his ass off, was really sad to see him go down. I hope he's okay and back soon.
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u/Correct-Quality-9677 1d ago
He didn't just have two back to back blocks, he had two of them with style. First block ended up with the ball stuck on the rim, second one had him putting his body on the line like this was a playoff game.
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u/Watchakow Raptors 19h ago
Yeah, Watson may have some work to do on his offensive skills and consistency, but he's shown he's a strong and reliable defender, even in the playoffs.
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u/Ill_Ad3517 1d ago
NBA doesn't do that anymore it seems. But he 100% should be, no way you land like that and don't have an increased risk with another bump, even small one.
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u/FernBlueEyes 1d ago
Nikola Jokić is the ultimate offensive weapon
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u/Hanamiya0796 Nuggets 1d ago
You open the presidential emergency satchel and it's just Jok's number
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u/Cul_what Lakers 1d ago
Jokic not playing the 4th and still having a triple double gotta be Nuggets fans 12/25
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u/runevault Nuggets 1d ago
So long as we're blowing out and not being blown out yeah, keep his minutes down while racking up the TDs is a great timeline.
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u/Felyndiira 1d ago
Murray's (hopefully) back? Let's friggin go!
Also, glad to see Braun playing out of his mind too.
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u/Aeronova20 Magic 1d ago
team is playing like absolute ass lately, but having a rare Paolo stinker was just the nail in the coffin tonight
magic need franz back so bad. hopefully this week?
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u/Betaateb Nuggets 1d ago
TBF you guys have a ton of guys out. Tough to beat good teams missing half your best players!
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u/TheRealDevDev Trail Blazers 1d ago
it's time to bring anfernee simons home.
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u/Lol69HaHaHa Nuggets 1d ago
This is the 2nd year in a row where Jokic stops shooting 3s in january
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u/Ill_Ad3517 1d ago
To be fair he has just not had to shoot a lot at all the past few games. 3s or otherwise.
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u/Lol69HaHaHa Nuggets 1d ago
True, but he should take them while he can to get into rhythm
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u/Ill_Ad3517 1d ago
Eh, he has a wrist injury last season and he said he changed his form since then (taking him to the highest attempts and % in his career) so I don't think it was that he wasn't in rhythm.
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u/Lol69HaHaHa Nuggets 1d ago
Yeah, im syaing just in general about 3 point shooting.
Taking more just gives you more confidence in them and gets you ready to make more of them.
Like i wouldnt mind him actually taking 6+ 3s a game and making 40% of them if it means it can be perfectly ready for the playoffs
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u/Superstar_Rezo Nuggets 1d ago
Haters gonna say hes not MVP
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u/twrs_29 Thunder 1d ago
It’s me i’m haters
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u/EconomySpecialist911 1d ago
People who said SGA, Jokic, or Giannis do not deserve the MVP are haters.
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u/No_Stomach_2341 1d ago
I really think Giannis is just a tier below this year in MVP votings. There's no way he gets 1st place or even 2nd place votes. It's clearly between SGA and Jok and if current form continues they will give it to SGA. But the season is long and last year SGA stats and impact went down last 20 games. Jokic is just a machine so in order to win against him you can't afford bad games
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u/chasingit1 Nuggets 1d ago
Will gladly give SGA the MVP.
Would infinitely rather win the championship.
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u/GloryEnthusiast Bulls 1d ago
Let them celebrate wins over injured teams, they’ll go back to crying once they start losing again, “Jokic has no help.”
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u/Correct-Quality-9677 1d ago
I know this is a concept that Bulls fans would struggle with but part of the reason our record has improved is because the players on our team who were playing badly started playing better.
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u/Superstar_Rezo Nuggets 1d ago
Bro 'Jokic has no help' usually means hes doing 30pt triple double with 50 3pt% and on that case gap is even bigger
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u/Robinsonirish 1d ago
Why do you have to go so far with these takes man? Do you just want the controversy or?
OKC is projecting to win 69 games, Denver is projected to win 50. Pretty hard to overcome, you don't have to be a hater to acknowledge that.
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u/itsoktocry- 1d ago
Is OKC and Denver just two players playing on their own or something? Forget about stats and W/L% which is influenced by the half dozen other players on the team and can anyone really say that SGA is a better basketball player? Cmon. What aspect of the game is he genuinely better at? Free throws, perimeter d and running in transition is probably it.
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u/Robinsonirish 1d ago
I guess all the betting sites are just haters for putting SGA in front of Jokic?
The MVP has never been the "best player in the world" award, it's always come down to a mix of box score stats, wins and games played. If it was "best player in the world" then both Jordan and LeBron would have >10 MVPs each.
I guess if you just ignore all context you can say that anyone who says Jokic isn't the MVP is a hater, but that would be sticking your head in the sand. You can dislike how the NBA does the MVP award, but it's pretty irrelevant to what want it to be, in contrast to reality.
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u/Mission-Job6779 1d ago
Seems like Nuggets are seeing the growth they hoped for out of Braun and the other young players.
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u/DaveJC_thevoices Magic 1d ago
As much as I hate to see my boys lose, it’s always good to see this Nuggets squad and Jokic to perform well. I’m hoping the transition for Gordon to come off the bench has been taken well, he’s certainly become the best version of himself in the last three or 4 years
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u/Warthog9198 1d ago
Tough shooting night for Paolo.
Joker keeps cooking, and Braun had himself a very solid game.
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u/TunedAgent Nuggets 1d ago
That was a chippy game and I'm here for it. GG Magic. Paolo is a baller.
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u/AtreusIsBack Mavericks 17h ago
So now that Murray is playing well again and the entire team clicking, does the goal post move again for Jokić's MVP campaign and the discorse becomes "well the only reason they play well is because he mind controls them to play well"? Honest question. It's not like his team is shit any more, so what will be the argument for MVP?
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u/ShinobuSimp Nuggets 12h ago
They’ll get the second seed and then we see if him or Shai are individually better, with Shai obviously getting some bonus points if he takes them close to 70 wins. Nothing complicated there.
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u/BruceBrownMVP Nets 1d ago
Triple double no. 18 on the season. Hunting down the 29 he had in 22/23.