2023 Playoffs: The NBA Finals News Thread

[Flagrant Fowl]

They went 29-5 from 1/23(When Middleton returned) until they shut it down with 2 games to go.

Oh, I know. I bet on them to win the title. They also beat up on a lot of bad teams during that stretch you mentioned.

I watched a lot of their games mostly because Jrue and Middleton were on my fantasy team. They never consistently played as well as a group as Denver has this year.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Gutsy performance by the Heat to get the first win in Denver by any opponent in these playoffs. I guess they're going to stick with zone defense as long as the Nuggets shooters aren't going to be consistent enough to break it.

[Mori Chu]

[Superbone]

Yes, big 4th quarter and comeback win for the Heat. This series might be tighter than we anticipated. Let's see what happens in Miami.

[ShelC]

The Heat held Jokic to 4 assists, which is the way to try and beat the Nuggets. Don't let him involve the "others". KCP and MPJ combined for 3-12. Murray was "just" 7-15, AG only took 7 shots.

[Flagrant Fowl]

These Finals are kind of reminding me of the first time the Warriors won when no one believed a jump shooting team could win a title. The Heat are the defensive version of it, playing a lot of zone and generally an unorthodox scheme.

[Shabazz]

We should have gone harder after Kevin Love.

[ShelC]

Love was all but set on going to Miami.

Braun is a good example of a college vet taken mid-late 1st round who's able to contribute right away to a winning team. That's what we need. The projects who need 2-3 years of "development" are mostly a myth IMO. Can't develop experience and winning at every level and a few weeks of dribbling and shooting drills in the summer don't make someone an NBA player.

[Superbone]

Love was all but set on going to Miami.

Braun is a good example of a college vet taken mid-late 1st round who's able to contribute right away to a winning team. That's what we need. The projects who need 2-3 years of "development" are mostly a myth IMO. Can't develop experience and winning at every level and a few weeks of dribbling and shooting drills in the summer don't make someone an NBA player.

The Suns know all about that. Bridges and Cam Johnson were great examples. Those types can fit in right away.

[ShelC]

Let's buy some picks and go get some new ones.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Aaron Gordon has completely flipped my perspective on him as a player in these playoffs. He showed flashes of high basketball IQ at points in his career, but I thought he'd always be an 80/20 guy.. meaning he'd be great 80% of the game but that 20% would kick in at the worst moments and kill his team's chance to win.

[Superbone]

Aaron Gordon has completely flipped my perspective on him as a player in these playoffs. He showed flashes of high basketball IQ at points in his career, but I thought he'd always be an 80/20 guy.. meaning he'd be great 80% of the game but that 20% would kick in at the worst moments and kill his team's chance to win.

I always wanted to get him on the Suns. Great pick up for Denver. Congrats to them for being on the verge of their first NBA Championship. Man, brings back bad memories of us being up 2-0 and unable to finish it. Our game 4 loss was pivotal and contributed not only to our downfall but to my heart attack on that very night. BAD memories.

[specialsauce]

I take back every bad thing I ever said about Jokic.

I was the #1 skeptic and he’s proven me wrong this run for sure

[Split T]

I think he’s probably established himself as #1 in the league. I’ve had Giannis there, but I think it’s Jokic now.

[Split T]

I do still think Denver would’ve had trouble with a team that had a big time pull up threat in the pick n roll. Jokic doesn’t defend that well and he mostly avoided those guys. Booker was the best one he faced and Booker went crazy in that series.

[specialsauce]

I think he’s probably established himself as #1 in the league. I’ve had Giannis there, but I think it’s Jokic now.

Giannis is nothing if the refs call him consistent with the rest of the league.

What Giannis does is not talent, it’s against the rules.

[Superbone]

What the hell?

[ShelC]

I was 90% sure it was a bit and it seemed to be at first with the gamestaff waving a towel over him and dragging him off the court but apparently the person inside really went to the hospital. Probably hit the ground harder than expected? The Heat beatwriter said the person was released with some pain medication. Stupid thing tho with McGregor and his drink promotion.

[Superbone]

I was 90% sure it was a bit and it seemed to be at first with the gamestaff waving a towel over him and dragging him off the court but apparently the person inside really went to the hospital. Probably hit the ground harder than expected? The Heat beatwriter said the person was released with some pain medication. Stupid thing tho with McGregor and his drink promotion.

It might have been a bit but McGregor sure didn't pull his punch.

[Kryptonic]

Rumor is Dana white is already working out the contracts for the rematch.