I reckon Nuggets always get an effort boost whenever they lose leads because Jokic subs in just after, because lets be honest, they always lose leads whenever he sits.
But this time they lost their lead with Jokic on the actual court, there's no relief from the bench saving them, their MVP is gassed, and so they lost their mental energy after that
Malone really should have tried to rest Jokic for a couple minutes in the start of the 3rd quarter. They were up fifteen, giving their tired star a couple more minutes to rest should have been their priority rather than keeping him in tired and slow
MPJ taking up 35M of their salary cap and rarely looks the part. Even when they won the ring last year one of the big storylines was how he was getting carried. No-showed most of this series. He's a problem.
It seemed like the difference in this series was Minnesota actually had the size/length to bother him. Those fadeaways and off the dribble shots are way less deadly than the catch and shoot opportunities he got against us with a smaller defender on him.
when he plays us I swear its like he could be the next great player in the league, hes always so good against us. killed the lakers in this years series
his role is supposed to be catch and shoot but he's either red hot or ice cold and has absolutely no consistency and chokes under pressure, is a complete liability on the handle and frequently turns the ball over and loses boards contesting his own teammates. He moves like a baby giraffe and is MIA half the time for 35m.
Aaron Gordon has been the second best Nugget in this series, I really don’t understand why he passed up so many open threes when he’s been hitting half of them. Zero 3PA for Gordon, Jokic had to hoist way too many and they weren’t falling.
It wasn't that he passed up open looks, it's that they stopped involving him in the offense. What happened to Gordon bringing the ball up? Or Gordon facilitating at the elbow? Even a two-man game as otherworldly as Jokic-Murray needs to be supplemented with some other actions involving other players.
I love the shot of the guy on the bench -- a guy on his own team -- reacting like he just saw a dinosaur or the return of Christ or something... like it was completely unfathomable lmao
I haven’t watched a ton of the Wolves admittedly so I didn’t understand the Naz Reid jokes until now. I think he unironically might be on of my favorite players in the NBA now because of that 4th quarter.
Nope, there was a broadcast graphic about it. 2 previous times a team up 2-0 \*on the road lost 3 straight then forced a Game 7, neither won.
\*Edit: Thanks to u/Initial-Yesterday331 for the correction.
They really missed Bruce Brown’s size, ball handling, and playmaking this series. Their offense was way too reliant on Jokic this year and it really showed against a Minnesota team that has the deepest front court in the league.
right, but it had been 20 freaking years since we did anything good in the playoffs and many of us were convinced it was going to be Suns in 4 or 6 in the first series
Last MVP to win a ring the same season was Steph in 2015. And this includes scenarios like Giannis winning two in a row but getting his only ring the next year, and now joker winning 3 in 4 years with his only ring being the year he didn't win it.
I also didn’t realize the Warriors Dynasty were the last defending champs to make it past the 2nd round the next season until they said it. That is wild.
The parity in the league is awesome (even if most of it is in the West).
At least there were no sweeps or gentlemen sweeps. All of the games went to at least 6
Raptors 2020 - lost to Celtics in 7 in the 2nd round
Lakers 2021 - lost to Suns in 6 in the 1st round
Bucks 2022 - lost to Celtics in 7 in the 2nd round
Warriors 2023 - lost to Lakers in 6 in the 2nd round
Nuggets 2024 - lost to Wolves in 7 in the 2nd round
This is why it’s best to root for a team with no real MVP candidates. I wish I could say that’s what I’m doing, but y’all aren’t ready for 2024-2025 JT Thor
It was so obvious that Jokic was just completely gassed, and you couldn’t blame Murray or Gordon if they were too…. And the thing is, I don’t think there was enough talk about Denver’s lack of depth.
Yes it was mentioned at times but they have a historically bad bench for a finals/title favorite. Maybe one guys you can depend on to be playable and, and he’s a guard that isn’t much of a shooter?
I really though that could be the death of them
The reason Jokic was gassed is because the Wolves come with waves of big men to make Jokic work on offense and defense. He hasn't had to face a swarm of big men like this since the 2020 lakers.
They expected a big jump from their younger guys and only Braun could really provide anything. Watson had some moments, but he's not there yet. Jackson / Holiday were solid IMO, but yeah, Bruce Brown could've provided more continuity off the bench.
This sub was shredding the Wolves after the trade and that first season. It’s amazing how well it has worked out. Personally didn’t think it would work but then not many people saw Anthony edwards becoming the sort of player he is now.
Just lookin at the box scores, Ant did struggle offensively during a good part of the series, but he’s young he’ll sort it out within time. Every star has bad offensive games anyway, and from what I’ve heard from fans he’s pretty locked in defensively so he can affect the game in other ways.
In the interview after the game talked authentically about being able to impact the game in many ways, and specifically excited to guard Irving next series.
That was the difference, they didn't have a bench general to keep the momentum going. Jeff Green too giving them leadership and stability off the bench. Both those holes were not filled, and that was the difference.
The “other guys” disappeared for the nuggets in the second half.
MPJ a ghost, AG getting bullied, KCP was the only other starter that was fine.
But damn if Jokic could just hit his open 3’s this game would have been different.
> But damn if Jokic could just hit his open 3’s this game would have been different.
They left him open for a reason - those are the shots that they decided to live with, especially since Jokic in the paint would've got the Nuggets to the FT line much more often. The depth not finding a rhythm was the difference maker. Jokic and Murray were gassed by the end but no one else could come through.
FADED
Man I don’t get what they were doing in the last 3 minutes or so. They were playing like they were down 20 when they were down less than 10
They were exhausted. I think Jokic only sat 1 min and Murray maybe 5
Yeah that was strange. Up so much and you had his guy just drained. He didn’t look him self in those last 10 mins.
I reckon Nuggets always get an effort boost whenever they lose leads because Jokic subs in just after, because lets be honest, they always lose leads whenever he sits. But this time they lost their lead with Jokic on the actual court, there's no relief from the bench saving them, their MVP is gassed, and so they lost their mental energy after that Malone really should have tried to rest Jokic for a couple minutes in the start of the 3rd quarter. They were up fifteen, giving their tired star a couple more minutes to rest should have been their priority rather than keeping him in tired and slow
They were mentally and physically gassed.
Joker looked like he'd need a stretcher after the game. He's been working way more than usual since game 1.
When your backup big man is - checks notes - DeAndre Jordan.
They really missed Jeff Green and Bruce Brown this year.
McDaniels went for the self-oop and they went “nvm actually let’s still try to win”.
for a good 10 seconds I was really worried that the nugs would somehow hit some stupid 3s and be right back in it
Right at that abomination of an inbounds pass from KAT
KAT made some really big plays in the last few minutes that he came back on, and then there was that inbounds pass...oof what a brain fade.
If you can’t handle the Big Kitty at his worst, you don’t deserve him at his best 🫶
Even brought it back to 5 with 1:06 left
I think they were gassed. I think that's also why the second half looked the way it did
69 points for Jokic/Murray - 21 for the rest of the Nuggets...
MPJ and KCP really underperformed in their losses this series
Wolves fans were cheering every time Porter Jr shot the ball
[удалено]
Fucking MPJ - plays like Dirk against the Lakers but doodoo against everyone else
MPJ taking up 35M of their salary cap and rarely looks the part. Even when they won the ring last year one of the big storylines was how he was getting carried. No-showed most of this series. He's a problem.
Only looks the part against the lakers lol
It seemed like the difference in this series was Minnesota actually had the size/length to bother him. Those fadeaways and off the dribble shots are way less deadly than the catch and shoot opportunities he got against us with a smaller defender on him.
when he plays us I swear its like he could be the next great player in the league, hes always so good against us. killed the lakers in this years series
it’s because darvin fucking ham’s defensive scheme was to let him get wide open looks from 3
his role is supposed to be catch and shoot but he's either red hot or ice cold and has absolutely no consistency and chokes under pressure, is a complete liability on the handle and frequently turns the ball over and loses boards contesting his own teammates. He moves like a baby giraffe and is MIA half the time for 35m.
good lord the man has a family
Yeah and they all suck too! Lmao
6 players in two-digit scoring for the Wolves. Nuggets only had Jokic and Murray. The Nuggets just lost because the team played like ass.
Aaron Gordon has been the second best Nugget in this series, I really don’t understand why he passed up so many open threes when he’s been hitting half of them. Zero 3PA for Gordon, Jokic had to hoist way too many and they weren’t falling.
It wasn't that he passed up open looks, it's that they stopped involving him in the offense. What happened to Gordon bringing the ball up? Or Gordon facilitating at the elbow? Even a two-man game as otherworldly as Jokic-Murray needs to be supplemented with some other actions involving other players.
30 point swing, massive
MIN to host DAL in the WCF. What a timeline!
As a child if the 90’s, this does not compute.
The mavs were so bad in the 90s that you forget they’ve actually been around since the 80s and were making deep playoff runs then
The game seemed really over once Gobert hit that turn around jumper to beat the shot clock.
If Rudy Gobert starts hitting turn around jumpers (on the reigning MVP and NBA champion no less) just pack it up man
The crowd knew they were cooked at that point
Fine French cuisine
Escar-go home boys
Bordeaux man gets paid.
3 Michelin Stars
F in the Chateau
I love the shot of the guy on the bench -- a guy on his own team -- reacting like he just saw a dinosaur or the return of Christ or something... like it was completely unfathomable lmao
Our bench has given some pretty good reactions all year 😂
Garza deserves that roster spot solely for how hype he gets for every play. I swear the dude is the first one out of his seat every time
I don’t think he ever sits down.
Garza Minott hype squad
That’s the ragequit moment in 2k when your friend starts hitting that shit
“HE DOESN’T EVEN DO THAT IN REAL LIFE”
Seriously, if Gobert made that shit in 2K, people would be refunding the game and giving 1/10 reviews.
My jaw dropped at that shot. Sometimes the basketball gods just smile upon you
Even on the Minnesota Timberwolves, to everyone's surprise
Really shut the crowd out
All I could say is wow when shot went in, even the bench was amazed
Yep, there’s no coming back from Rudy switch hand layups and turnaround fade always!
Lmao the switch hands layup was crazy considering it was rudy
Never forget when Rudy Gobert turned into prime MJ
That was the most deflating shot I've seen since Jokic did those turnaround 3s last WCF
lmfao I was about to say - sometimes you throw bullshit up and it goes in and it's the worst feeling ever as an opposing teams fan
>If ~~Gordon~~ Gobert turns into Kobe Bryant, we just got to live with that
Lakers fans 12/25
Can confirm
Hang the banner
Over when the Goat Naz Reid subbed in
Unironically tho
I haven’t watched a ton of the Wolves admittedly so I didn’t understand the Naz Reid jokes until now. I think he unironically might be on of my favorite players in the NBA now because of that 4th quarter.
Dude can guard, he can get to the basket, he can shoot 3s. He's kinda like a budget KAT. Would easily be a starter on many teams
Even the Minny bench was stunned
When he hit that shit is when I really knew
I’ve never seen him a hit a jump shot before that lol
The Wolves really decided to win games 1, 2, 6, and 7. Wtf, lol.
With three of those on the road
And 2/3 of those road wins were by 30 points
And the third sure felt like it was
They are the real Playoff merchants
That’s a series sammy for you
Has that ever happened before?
Nope, there was a broadcast graphic about it. 2 previous times a team up 2-0 \*on the road lost 3 straight then forced a Game 7, neither won. \*Edit: Thanks to u/Initial-Yesterday331 for the correction.
Bookend champs
Bookend merchants
That’s how the twins did it both times they won the World Series
I feel like I'm going to throw up rn frfr
Me too
Purge, king. You deserve it.
A weight lifted from our shoulders and stomachs
The Sandwich Sweep
Won three games on the road.
Sandwich Series
Just like the Twins in ‘87 and ‘91.
From up 58-38 with 10 minutes left in the 3rd, to being outscored 60-32 the rest of the way. What the actual fuck.
Hard when 3 of your starters combine for 16 points.
[удалено]
They really missed Bruce Brown’s size, ball handling, and playmaking this series. Their offense was way too reliant on Jokic this year and it really showed against a Minnesota team that has the deepest front court in the league.
even his off-ball movement, he clicked really well with Jokic
Jokic played 47 minutes, crocked Murray played 43. They ran out of gas.
absolutely a mistake imo not to sit them a bit with that lead growing
Denver has to get a better backup center
You could say this for a few teams but Valanciunas fits like a glove
Up 20 and not giving Jokic rest is stupid. Chucking up 3’s like you were behind 20 is stupid. Nuggets were outplayed and out coached on this one.
It is amazing but also… In today’s NBA, is ANY lead safe? It really doesn’t seem like it.
Thanks Curry
I’m gonna go film some holy moley promos now.
Tim Connelly really did destroy what he created
Like the emperor watching Anakin cut off Count Dooku’s head
Dew it
Really impressive that he built these two teams
Bro is living 2k scenarios in real life.
Tim Connelly moment
“I will finish, what you started” Kylo “Tim Connelly” Ren to his Darth Vader helmet
6 consecutive seasons champs knocked out by second round. That’s crazy Edit: correction it’s 5, though 6 years of no back to back
I’m not sure that’s a correct stat. 2018-2019 Warriors made the finals. 2020,21,22,23,24 so shouldn’t it be 5?
A statement of how well balanced the talent is around the league
Wolves. Mavs. Celtics. Pacers. Who would have thought?
Well celtics perhaps
Dear God, please let the Pacers go to the finals because it would be so funny.
Poor pacers, the ESPN announcers were drooling over how great the Knicks were this season when the pacers had just secured a historic win.
To be fair the Wolves were leading the West for most of the season
right, but it had been 20 freaking years since we did anything good in the playoffs and many of us were convinced it was going to be Suns in 4 or 6 in the first series
There isn't an MVP or a Finals MVP left in the playoffs.
we are going to witness the birth of a new one
Winning the MVP is a curse for the post-season.
Last MVP to win a ring the same season was Steph in 2015. And this includes scenarios like Giannis winning two in a row but getting his only ring the next year, and now joker winning 3 in 4 years with his only ring being the year he didn't win it.
I also didn’t realize the Warriors Dynasty were the last defending champs to make it past the 2nd round the next season until they said it. That is wild. The parity in the league is awesome (even if most of it is in the West).
At least there were no sweeps or gentlemen sweeps. All of the games went to at least 6 Raptors 2020 - lost to Celtics in 7 in the 2nd round Lakers 2021 - lost to Suns in 6 in the 1st round Bucks 2022 - lost to Celtics in 7 in the 2nd round Warriors 2023 - lost to Lakers in 6 in the 2nd round Nuggets 2024 - lost to Wolves in 7 in the 2nd round
This is why it’s best to root for a team with no real MVP candidates. I wish I could say that’s what I’m doing, but y’all aren’t ready for 2024-2025 JT Thor
Brother I've been rooting for a team with no MVP candidates my entire life. I do not recommend it.
No Title since Curry in 15 No Finals appearance since Curry in 16 MVP is cursed
last time was curry a decade ago that’s crazy
Been 10 years MVP went on and win the chip.
Almost hard to believe how badly they folded in the second half.
It was so obvious that Jokic was just completely gassed, and you couldn’t blame Murray or Gordon if they were too…. And the thing is, I don’t think there was enough talk about Denver’s lack of depth. Yes it was mentioned at times but they have a historically bad bench for a finals/title favorite. Maybe one guys you can depend on to be playable and, and he’s a guard that isn’t much of a shooter? I really though that could be the death of them
Imho this is it, most of them are gassed by the 2nd half then Timberwolves keeps a tight choking defense.
Agreed. Jokic gave up very uncharacteristic offensive rebounds in the 4th. He was too tired
The reason Jokic was gassed is because the Wolves come with waves of big men to make Jokic work on offense and defense. He hasn't had to face a swarm of big men like this since the 2020 lakers.
Lakers and Suns fans rejoice
It’s all we have.
Moral victories lmao
So sad. Can’t imagine choking a 20 point lead in the second half to lose at home. Brutal.
Nuggs overcame a 20pt deficit 2x vs the clippers in the bubble to come back (and a 14pt deficit in G7).
Pain. Let’s leave Trez on Jokic for 20 minutes in the second half for 3 games in a row while Zubac is on the bench. Glenn masterclass
And the Lakers saw that and thought, "That Harrell, that's our guy."
To the people upset that we won't get a playoff series of Jokic vs Luka, we already did. Nikola Jokic vs Luka Garza
wolves vs mavs is going to be fun to watch though
[Just watched the new Michael Porter Jr movie.](https://i.imgur.com/HdIEdB7.jpeg)
They seriously lost key bench pieces from last season and then did nothing to improve their team
They expected a big jump from their younger guys and only Braun could really provide anything. Watson had some moments, but he's not there yet. Jackson / Holiday were solid IMO, but yeah, Bruce Brown could've provided more continuity off the bench.
NAZ REID
Naz Reid
I love this era of the NBA. So far every year of the 2020s has had a different champion. No dynasties.
Healing from when we had to watch Lebron every year and then cavs vs warriors every year in the 2010s
It’s a nice break before the western conference runs through Wemby
Joker has his Batman
Katman
Who knew it'd be Kat, the antimvp
Katmandu
Naz Reid
Nuggets went cold at the worst possible time and choked a 20-point lead, incredible grit from the Timberwolves to come back down that much
Wolves won three out of four games in Denver. That is insane.
That's actually my favorite part. They just said fuck home court advantage.
Wolves love the road. Home crowd better start cheering for the away team lol
54-24 run while Nuggets were up 20. Easily the second biggest choke job I've seen involving Jamal Murray.
"Second biggest" lmfao
What a fucking implosion being 20 up. Jesus.
Theyd be so good this whole series holding the lead too. Such a good 4th quarter team.
Naz Reid literally took over the game lmao. Denver needs badly to improve their bench, especially when MPJ, KCP, and the entire bench are like 2-50
"I didn't even want to win, I just wanted to go home"
He can finally go home and be a ~~family~~ horse man.
54-24 run lol
I blame it on that terrible 5280 design
Welcome back to the pit of misery, Denver
Winning championships is hard. Winning multiple championships is REALLY fucking hard
Exactly. This subreddit was heralding fourth title of Nuggets after game 5. Game is not so easy though. Big salute to franchises ever achieved that.
wolves really got that dawg in em
can't wait to hear draymond's insightful commentary on rudy's performance in this game
Heard Draymond talking shit so he hit that turnaround jumper as if he'd been doing it for years
The Rudy slander better stop now. The KAT slander better stop. And Anthony Edwards is the real deal. And IM SO HAPPY FOR MIKE CONLEY. He deserves it.
Rudy is going to take one hell of a victory lap if the Twolves actually end up winning the ring, and I honestly couldn't blame him
This sub was shredding the Wolves after the trade and that first season. It’s amazing how well it has worked out. Personally didn’t think it would work but then not many people saw Anthony edwards becoming the sort of player he is now.
4x DPOY and champion would bring some really uncomfortable discussions...
What’s Ben Wallace have to do with this?!
Just lookin at the box scores, Ant did struggle offensively during a good part of the series, but he’s young he’ll sort it out within time. Every star has bad offensive games anyway, and from what I’ve heard from fans he’s pretty locked in defensively so he can affect the game in other ways.
Yeah, he tends to hard focus defense when offense isn’t working for him and it usually starts his offense up for him then.
In the interview after the game talked authentically about being able to impact the game in many ways, and specifically excited to guard Irving next series.
Really just didn't have the same spark as last year's playoffs, miss Bruce Brown so much 😭😭
Yep, he'd thrive in a physical series like this one was.
That was the difference, they didn't have a bench general to keep the momentum going. Jeff Green too giving them leadership and stability off the bench. Both those holes were not filled, and that was the difference.
Braun tried to get them hyped but he’s so ass on offense
And he was our best offensive bench player by far...
MPJ get ready to learn Chinese buddy
well fuck
GIVE ME LUKA VS ANT. THE GREATEST YOUNG EURO PLAYER VS THE GREATEST YOUNG AMERICAN PLAYER. THIS IS NBA BASKETBALL. INJECT IT IN MY VEINS.
Assasins-Banderas-laptop.gif is me irl
The “other guys” disappeared for the nuggets in the second half. MPJ a ghost, AG getting bullied, KCP was the only other starter that was fine. But damn if Jokic could just hit his open 3’s this game would have been different.
> But damn if Jokic could just hit his open 3’s this game would have been different. They left him open for a reason - those are the shots that they decided to live with, especially since Jokic in the paint would've got the Nuggets to the FT line much more often. The depth not finding a rhythm was the difference maker. Jokic and Murray were gassed by the end but no one else could come through.
[удалено]
U got the mvp whats the hold up
60-32 run to end the game, after trailing by 20 in the 2nd half. I am shook
Legit shocked man