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Post by Ring on May 17, 2023 10:26:52 GMT -5
I still can't believe that it's 2023 and MPJs defense isn't a concern at all. It really is amazing. Murray has to sack up and play with much more urgency defensively. I really hope he was just sick.
Also...double Lebron if they're going to have Murray guarding him in the post? The lack of adjustments last night were gross.
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Post by GBG on May 17, 2023 10:31:16 GMT -5
Round one went five games. Round two went six games. No reason to think round three won’t go seven games.
Our guys are in the battle of their lives to reach the Finals. Please don’t be thinking this will be a sweep. You’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
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Post by wizardofcozz on May 17, 2023 10:40:36 GMT -5
I still can't believe that it's 2023 and MPJs defense isn't a concern at all. It really is amazing. Murray has to sack up and play with much more urgency defensively. I really hope he was just sick. Also...double Lebron if they're going to have Murray guarding him in the post? The lack of adjustments last night were gross. Exactly, double off of Schroder or Rui and force those two to beat you from outside, though I think with how poor LeBron has shot the 3, why is it so hard to go under the screen in those situations so Murray isn't on him? Then we don't have to double. I thought MPJ and AG were fine on Lebron in the few moments they got to guard him. |
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Post by Ring on May 17, 2023 10:41:16 GMT -5
I still can't believe that it's 2023 and MPJs defense isn't a concern at all. It really is amazing. Murray has to sack up and play with much more urgency defensively. I really hope he was just sick. Also...double Lebron if they're going to have Murray guarding him in the post? The lack of adjustments last night were gross. Exactly, double off of Schroder or Rui and force those two to beat you from outside, though I think with how poor LeBron has shot the 3, why is it so hard to go under the screen in those situations so Murray isn't on him? Then we don't have to double. I thought MPJ and AG were fine on Lebron in the few moments they got to guard him. I genuinely have no idea. |
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Post by JB on May 17, 2023 10:41:37 GMT -5
definitively not thinking sweep. winning one in LA will be a tall order.
let's just say I'm comfortably confident after G1. Ham showed his hand early and I faith the Nuggets will provide an effective counter, like they've been doing during the entire playoff run. if it ends up being a long series, I believe the advantage will ultimately belong to us considering the age factor.
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Post by jimijam28 on May 17, 2023 10:45:04 GMT -5
COY Malone, #1 Walmart t-shirt give aways
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Post by scooter on May 17, 2023 10:52:09 GMT -5
Murray is NEVER going to not finish a game. And that’s the way it ought to be. Bottom line is the team is now leading in the western conference finals and without Murray its a first round playoff team. Murray has weirdly become a Barton-esque scapegoat on this board. There are no point guards in the league who can guard Lebron one on one when he’s reasonably rested and healthy. I think Murray wanted to do it because he prides himself on his toughness and doesn’t think the 38 year old Lebron can work him over repeatedly. And for those who think Lebron will score inside every single possession against a smaller defender, why did Lebron eventually pull up and brick a three? I’m pretty sure it was because he was getting tired. I’m sure the Nuggets will adjust. But bashing Murray seems rather prick-ish IMO. He’s proven to be a playoff winner and absolutely critical to the Nuggets chances in the playoffs, this season and in year’s past. |
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Post by scooter on May 17, 2023 10:54:35 GMT -5
Until I see the Nuggets solve a roaming AD, I'm not going to believe it. It's now the biggest pivot point in the series. Game 2 is a must win IMO. Jeesuz Ring — your panicky negativity is something to behold. You don’t think Jokic can figure out how to deal with being guarded by Rui Hachimura? |
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Post by wizardofcozz on May 17, 2023 11:02:36 GMT -5
Murray is NEVER going to not finish a game. And that’s the way it ought to be. Bottom line is the team is now leading in the western conference finals and without Murray its a first round playoff team. Murray has weirdly become a Barton-esque scapegoat on this board. There are no point guards in the league who can guard Lebron one on one when he’s reasonably rested and healthy. I think Murray wanted to do it because he prides himself on his toughness and doesn’t think the 38 year old Lebron can work him over repeatedly. And for those who think Lebron will score inside every single possession against a smaller defender, why did Lebron eventually pull up and brick a three? I’m pretty sure it was because he was getting tired. I’m sure the Nuggets will adjust. But bashing Murray seems rather prick-ish IMO. He’s proven to be a playoff winner and absolutely critical to the Nuggets chances in the playoffs, this season and in year’s past. This is where I disagree, I put this all on Malone. Clearly the gameplan was to switch which is absolutely mind-boggling. |
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Post by scooter on May 17, 2023 11:07:56 GMT -5
BTW, the player who made the most mistakes down the stretch wasn’t Murray, it was Jokic, who I think was understandably very tired. The Lakers had all 5 players sagging into the paint defensively, aided by Gordon just standing in the dunker spot while Jokic was also posting up in the paint area. Jokic repeatedly tried forcing the ball inside, which led to costly turnovers, when Nuggets shooters were open at the three point line.
The Nuggets will clean up some of these mistakes. Have a little faith and enjoy the ride.
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Post by JB on May 17, 2023 11:15:33 GMT -5
fully agreed scooter.
Jokic got a touch overzealous because he clearly understands AD as the help is bad news and wanted to return to the status quo, which played into LA's hands. I have less than 1% doubt he's going to adjust and make light work of Rui if Ham wants to start him and make him the primary Jokic defender.
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Post by freakns on May 17, 2023 11:21:48 GMT -5
Until I see the Nuggets solve a roaming AD, I'm not going to believe it. It's now the biggest pivot point in the series. Game 2 is a must win IMO. Jeesuz Ring — your panicky negativity is something to behold. You don’t think Jokic can figure out how to deal with being guarded by Rui Hachimura? problem is not Jokic solving Hachimura, problem is lack of cutting with AD below the rim, and that is Nuggets bread and butter. however, Nuggets can create from PNR between Murray and Jokic, and that would create problems for Lakers. once Jokic receive ball on short roll he can shoot, pass to corner, pass to dunker spot, depending on what AD is doing. GSW couldn't do that cause Draymond is not danger to shoot and Looney on dunker spot and AG on dunker spot are not same beasts... there are ways to resolve this problem and Nuggets have multiple weapons to do it. as long as they resolve LeBron's pnr, they good... but I do agree with Ring on game 2 being must win. probably most important game in Nuggets history so far. LeBron said after the game they need to be desperate in game 2. same goes to Nuggets. there is one thing you can't be down on Lakers, and that is level of intensity. |
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Post by nuggetshipster on May 17, 2023 11:22:42 GMT -5
AD playing off Jokic.. crazy concept @jb it worked. for a single quarter against a fatigued Jokic. and with the Nuggets playing into LA's hands by leaving AG in the dunker spot. It wasnt Vando, but AD off Jokic is their recipe. Shouldnt be too hard for Malone and Jokic to take advantage of that either so we are in for an interesting series! |
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Post by nuggetshipster on May 17, 2023 11:24:36 GMT -5
Until I see the Nuggets solve a roaming AD, I'm not going to believe it. It's now the biggest pivot point in the series. Game 2 is a must win IMO. Jeesuz Ring — your panicky negativity is something to behold. You don’t think Jokic can figure out how to deal with being guarded by Rui Hachimura? What did he say that wasnt right outside of game2 is a must win. Must win is stupid because most people mean elimination game. But every game is must win until the offseason IMO But the nuggets need to solve AD and we shouldnt just expect it until we see it. He isnt saying he dont think they can |
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Post by nuggetshipster on May 17, 2023 11:25:39 GMT -5
Did they figure out AD in bubble? I cant remember that far back. Lets not act like D12 was a great defender at that point
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Post by inyourmind on May 17, 2023 11:32:02 GMT -5
I guess for me if you have to bench Murray to close a game and or Gordon because the Lakers put Rai on Jokic than we aren’t a title team. You can’t bench your 2nd best player because your best player is being defended differently. Gordon/Murray simply make too much money to be sat down in an already thin rotation.
Nuggets aren’t going to sweep them and win by 20+ every game. Can’t freak out because L.A has some good moments. I’m confident as long as our top 6 can show up for 3 more games.
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Post by scooter on May 17, 2023 11:33:22 GMT -5
fully agreed scooter. Jokic got a touch overzealous because he clearly understands AD as the help is bad news and wanted to return to the status quo, which played into LA's hands. I have less than 1% doubt he's going to adjust and make light work of Rui if Ham wants to start him and make him the primary Jokic defender. I recall one late game possession in which Murray fed Jokic in the post while the other three Nuggets were all on the other side of the court. Murray’s defender doubled Jokic, and after passing the ball Murray drifted to the three point line completely — and I mean completely — undefended, and Jokic tried passing it inside through the entire Lakers’ defense instead of making the easiest pass possible to an open Murray. Jokic was also quite punchy in the post-game press conference. I think he was exhausted and I don’t blame him. The Nuggets offensive game plan was to run at every opportunity and tire the Lakers — especially Lebron — out. It also tired Jokic out but I have faith he can recover. Hachimura has been absurdly good this postseason in light of his 4 year career of ineffectiveness. The Wizards dumped him for practically nothing (typical of the usually dumb eastern conf) and he’s really helped the Lakers. But I’m sure there is a limit to his contribution, and the Nuggets will make adjustments. |
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Post by nuggetshipster on May 17, 2023 11:35:38 GMT -5
fully agreed scooter. Jokic got a touch overzealous because he clearly understands AD as the help is bad news and wanted to return to the status quo, which played into LA's hands. I have less than 1% doubt he's going to adjust and make light work of Rui if Ham wants to start him and make him the primary Jokic defender. I thought there was no timeline where Jokic is bothered by AD help defense? But now its bad news |
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Post by game on May 17, 2023 11:37:09 GMT -5
Taking Murray out offense/defense is a slam dunk when he visibly had no legs or energy and was getting picked on every play. Van Gundy was perplexed he didn't do it. Draymond was perplexed he didn't do it. You had TOs to get him back in on offense. He's sick. Have a conversation with the man about managing his energy, especially late, to ensure the best chance to win.
It's not outlandish. It's the WCF. Even Jokic is not immune to offense/defense subs. I have no clue why Murray would be exempt from that if he's the mark and getting cooked for an entire half.
I'm a little perplexed why Malone was so defiant about "we switch other than Nikola" after the game. I'm certain they'll adjust for Game 2, but this is what LeBron does. Anybody with a shitty podcast knew LeBron would hunt Murray. He did it against Curry - down to the scoring at will, foul trouble, and the tired legs that affected his shooting. Need to be much better prepared for that in Game 2.
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Post by JB on May 17, 2023 11:45:17 GMT -5
fully agreed scooter. Jokic got a touch overzealous because he clearly understands AD as the help is bad news and wanted to return to the status quo, which played into LA's hands. I have less than 1% doubt he's going to adjust and make light work of Rui if Ham wants to start him and make him the primary Jokic defender. I thought there was no timeline where Jokic is bothered by AD help defense? But now its bad news Erik, literally nobody said that. you're arguing a strawman. you argued that a small like Vando is capable of slowing down/bothering Jokic in a vacuum, citing Joe Johnson from like 7 years ago. all Rui did was funnel Jokic into AD... and yeah, the strategy worked for a short period of time (mostly because we played into their hands) but if Ham wants to try a small on Jokic to start G2, he's going to operate farther from the basket and try to put them in foul trouble immediately. |
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