At this point, Denver has to be the odds on favorite to win it all, no?
Nah, OKC is still the favorite despite being down 1-2. Denver stole 2 games where they were trailing most of the game, OKC thumped the Nuggets with a 50pt beat down. Sure, 2 close wins is better than 1 blowout, but Denver has to win the next game to confirm their dominance. If OKC wins the next one then it’s a 3 game series with 2 of those in OK. OKC wins the series if they win the next game.
The next game is for the series I think. Had Den lost again after the embarrassing loss it would be over only down 1-2. This game 3 win to go up 2-1 just keeps Den alive to give them a chance. _________________ When reasonably possible, I expect the Lakers to go after a ship like it can’t be denied. I haven’t seen a completely committed effort by the GM for the last 2 off seasons nor the last 2 trade deadlines. What is going on?
Last edited by Hanging from Rafters on Fri May 09, 2025 9:26 pm; edited 6 times in total
Again Game 4 is everything for this DEN-OKC series. For OKC, its their season and for a young team down 3-1, thats a bad hole to be in. For DEN, its to show that you are a serious title contender that can play with the requisite level of intensity to win 4 rounds of playoff basketball. In Denver's case, the result of this Game 4 does not matter as much as their effort. But that effort will show me all I need to know about their chances as title contenders. This Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde part of their DNA is EVERYTHING that cost them the series vs Minnesota last year in a series that a serious Denver team in form would have finished off in 5 games possibly 6 if Minnesota had great shot variance but Denver's complacency blew it. We have seen their complacency in Game 3 vs LAC and again Game 2 vs OKC. Serious title contenders cannot keep acting this way and getting away with it.
Last edited by 1995Lakers on Fri May 09, 2025 9:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
Again Game 4 is everything for this DEN-OKC series. For OKC, its their season and for a young team down 3-1, thats a bad hole to be in. For DEN, its to show that you are a serious title contender that can play with the requisite level of intensity to win 4 rounds of playoff basketball. In Denver's case, the result of this Game 4 does not matter as much as their effort. But that effort will show me all I need to know about their chances as title contenders. This Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde part of their DNA is EVERYTHING that cost them the series vs Minnesota last year in a series that a serious Denver team in form would have finished off in 5 games possibly 6 if Minnesota had great shot variance but Denver's complacency blew it.
If Denver wins game 4 they win the series, if they lose it…regardless of the manner…then they lose the series. Den got thumped by almost 50pts in OK. _________________ When reasonably possible, I expect the Lakers to go after a ship like it can’t be denied. I haven’t seen a completely committed effort by the GM for the last 2 off seasons nor the last 2 trade deadlines. What is going on?
Again Game 4 is everything for this DEN-OKC series. For OKC, its their season and for a young team down 3-1, thats a bad hole to be in. For DEN, its to show that you are a serious title contender that can play with the requisite level of intensity to win 4 rounds of playoff basketball. In Denver's case, the result of this Game 4 does not matter as much as their effort. But that effort will show me all I need to know about their chances as title contenders. This Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde part of their DNA is EVERYTHING that cost them the series vs Minnesota last year in a series that a serious Denver team in form would have finished off in 5 games possibly 6 if Minnesota had great shot variance but Denver's complacency blew it.
If Denver wins game 4 they win the series, if they lose it…regardless of the manner…then they lose the series. Den got thumped by almost 50pts in OK.
Not true....if both teams show the requisite effort, Denver's high 4th QTR execution may show up again in Game 5 and they can beat OKC again in a close match. I mean how serious did you take Denver after they were down 2-1 to the Clippers and got beaten by 34 in Los Angeles? Did you really think Denver would win Game 4 after LAC had all the momentum and Denver looked like they were drawing dead? Overreaction to one game in OKC when Denver has shown they let go of the rope when their heads are not fully in it.
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 37958 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 9:36 pm Post subject:
Reds622 wrote:
Some around here’s favorite Presti might again come up empty handed.
But he’s the best GM in basketball.. he just doesn’t know how to win the big one.
OKC ain’t it. Too many mental midgets.
More like doesn’t have an owner who doesn’t break up a dynasty by forcing him to trade Harden for Kevin Martin. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
As for OKC, lets just say if the Kemp-Payton knucklehead Sonics could figure it out in 1996 after their legendary flameouts of 1994 and 1995, these Thunder can certainly figure it out. Also unlike the 1996 Sonics, when these Thunder do figure it out, they will do as the best team in the league.
Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 8961 Location: Santa Monica
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 9:48 pm Post subject:
1995Lakers wrote:
troy wrote:
windycitycane wrote:
At this point, Denver has to be the odds on favorite to win it all, no?
Not if the Knicks win the East. Knicks have the sort of team that can thwart the Nuggets. They are more scrappy.
The Knicks have no chance to beat Denver. How they play the Celtics will not be how things play out with Denver. Denver has a very high level of resilience built in into their offense that Boston can not reach and is why I picked Denver to beat Boston last year had they met and is what happened when these two teams met in the regular season. NYK also doesnt have the multiple quick athletes that can score off the bounce that can really hurt Denver. If Im Denver, the strategy is simple. Try to make NYK outscore you. Brunson will go off. Contain everyone else and that series is over.
The Knicks can get out and run with just about anyone though. I don't think they're afraid of a 130-point game. Plus, on any given night, Hart, Bridges, Anunoby or KAT can go off.
Remember the Knicks were fifth in offensive rating and field-goal percentage during the regular season. _________________ Lakers 49ers Chargers Dodgers
At this point, Denver has to be the odds on favorite to win it all, no?
Not if the Knicks win the East. Knicks have the sort of team that can thwart the Nuggets. They are more scrappy.
The Knicks have no chance to beat Denver. How they play the Celtics will not be how things play out with Denver. Denver has a very high level of resilience built in into their offense that Boston can not reach and is why I picked Denver to beat Boston last year had they met and is what happened when these two teams met in the regular season. NYK also doesnt have the multiple quick athletes that can score off the bounce that can really hurt Denver. If Im Denver, the strategy is simple. Try to make NYK outscore you. Brunson will go off. Contain everyone else and that series is over.
The Knicks can get out and run with just about anyone though. I don't think they're afraid of a 130-point game. Plus, on any given night, Hart, Bridges, Anunoby or KAT can go off.
Remember the Knicks were fifth in offensive rating and field-goal percentage during the regular season.
And I believe BOS and OKC also have very high offensive ratings as well. Playoffs basketball is very different from regular basketball in that individual weaknesses of players get magnified and what NYK really lacks is multiple scorers that can really gets theirs off the bounce and they dont have the defenders to bother Denver nor matchup well at all. Denver has enough footspeed to keep all those guys you named in front of them. In the end what will play out is exactly what happened to the Lakers all these years. Keep it competitive and in winning time, Denver will feel comfortable getting whatever they want whereas NYK will feel the strain to keep up. Its a credit to OKC's pressure defense (that NYK or anyone else in the league for that matter cannot replicate) that for the most part, they look like the better team and is making Denver feel the strain in keeping their offensive resiliency. If these two teams meet up and Denver has no injuries, this will be a walkover championship like 2023 Den-Mia and New Yorks own title run in 1999 vs San Antonio.
But I do think OKC is more likely to win Game 4 and then people will be overreacting again saying this series is over and that Denver lost their chance when they can easily lose even two in a row, win at home and force a winner take all Game 7. They can also outright take Game 5 from the Thunder as well. Again to me the important thing for Denver is to maintain their championship level intensity.
I'm good with Denver winning it all, even though I think OKC pulls this out. (bleep) the Celtics. One thing I'm worried about is a Giannis trade but I feel like Presti is gonna 4D chess himself out of making the obvious move and ultimately squander this core.
I'm good with Denver winning it all, even though I think OKC pulls this out. (bleep) the Celtics. One thing I'm worried about is a Giannis trade but I feel like Presti is gonna 4D chess himself out of making the obvious move and ultimately squander this core.
If Presti is offered Giannis, he would be a damned fool not to accept. Damn the potential of Holmgren or the fit with Hartenstein. Giannis IS the walking matchup nightmare that can destroy the best playoff defenses singlehandedly. Combine him with SGA and all those shooters? And the defense they could play??? Oh Lord.....it would be like Durant to the Warriors all over again....might as well shutdown the season.
Edit: I should know better after Malone and Payton with Shaq and Kobe
My money is on Giannis landing with the Spurs, with Pop era officially over there gonna want the new HC to have immediate success
Pop and the org chose Mitch personally to carry on his ideals. And while the Spurs do have enough to get the Bucks to agree to a trade, I don't think the Spurs will be willing to do that for someone not on Wemby's timeline when you consider most stars would want to play with Wemby
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 37958 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 10:36 pm Post subject:
1995Lakers wrote:
levon wrote:
I'm good with Denver winning it all, even though I think OKC pulls this out. (bleep) the Celtics. One thing I'm worried about is a Giannis trade but I feel like Presti is gonna 4D chess himself out of making the obvious move and ultimately squander this core.
If Presti is offered Giannis, he would be a damned fool not to accept. Damn the potential of Holmgren or the fit with Hartenstein. Giannis IS the walking matchup nightmare that can destroy the best playoff defenses singlehandedly. Combine him with SGA and all those shooters? And the defense they could play??? Oh Lord.....it would be like Durant to the Warriors all over again....might as well shutdown the season.
Edit: I should know better after Malone and Payton with Shaq and Kobe
At some point OKC would need to “consolidate” their young core anyway to avoid a massive luxury tax penalty.
IMO one of Chet or Jalen Williams + their entire basket of picks is a better package than anyone else can give for Giannis. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 8961 Location: Santa Monica
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 10:37 pm Post subject:
1995Lakers wrote:
slavavov wrote:
1995Lakers wrote:
The Knicks have no chance to beat Denver. How they play the Celtics will not be how things play out with Denver. Denver has a very high level of resilience built in into their offense that Boston can not reach and is why I picked Denver to beat Boston last year had they met and is what happened when these two teams met in the regular season. NYK also doesnt have the multiple quick athletes that can score off the bounce that can really hurt Denver. If Im Denver, the strategy is simple. Try to make NYK outscore you. Brunson will go off. Contain everyone else and that series is over.
The Knicks can get out and run with just about anyone though. I don't think they're afraid of a 130-point game. Plus, on any given night, Hart, Bridges, Anunoby or KAT can go off.
Remember the Knicks were fifth in offensive rating and field-goal percentage during the regular season.
And I believe BOS and OKC also have very high offensive ratings as well. Playoffs basketball is very different from regular basketball in that individual weaknesses of players get magnified and what NYK really lacks is multiple scorers that can really gets theirs off the bounce and they dont have the defenders to bother Denver nor matchup well at all. Denver has enough footspeed to keep all those guys you named in front of them.
Hart can get past his man off the dribble when he needs to score points, plus KAT would be a huge key. Jokic isn't a great defender, and if KAT plays up to his potential, the Knicks would have a real shot against Denver in a potential finals matchup.
I would pick Denver to win, but barely. _________________ Lakers 49ers Chargers Dodgers
^^^ You know for a Denver team that looks the way it does (nowhere at 2023 level), and with its terrible playoff DNA of literally quitting playoff games that it doesnt feel like really competing in (in deep contrast to its supreme clutchness), maybe I should always be skeptical. If there is any team that "deserves" to beat another in the playoffs it would be the Knicks beating the Nuggets.
My money is on Giannis landing with the Spurs, with Pop era officially over there gonna want the new HC to have immediate success
Pop and the org chose Mitch personally to carry on his ideals. And while the Spurs do have enough to get the Bucks to agree to a trade, I don't think the Spurs will be willing to do that for someone not on Wemby's timeline when you consider most stars would want to play with Wemby
If I’m the Spurs this is a great opportunity to become a contender overnight, players like Giannis don’t become available especially because Giannis is someone who enjoys being on a small market team, now that he might become available this is a good chance to create a new powerhouse
I'm good with Denver winning it all, even though I think OKC pulls this out. (bleep) the Celtics. One thing I'm worried about is a Giannis trade but I feel like Presti is gonna 4D chess himself out of making the obvious move and ultimately squander this core.
If Presti is offered Giannis, he would be a damned fool not to accept. Damn the potential of Holmgren or the fit with Hartenstein. Giannis IS the walking matchup nightmare that can destroy the best playoff defenses singlehandedly. Combine him with SGA and all those shooters? And the defense they could play??? Oh Lord.....it would be like Durant to the Warriors all over again....might as well shutdown the season.
Edit: I should know better after Malone and Payton with Shaq and Kobe
At some point OKC would need to “consolidate” their young core anyway to avoid a massive luxury tax penalty.
IMO one of Chet or Jalen Williams + their entire basket of picks is a better package than anyone else can give for Giannis.
I don't understand how OKC would make that work. Giannis/Shai getting the supermax and then Jdub or Chet getting the max? In a small market under this new CBA? I don't see that happening. That is already all of the cap before filling out the rest of the roster.
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