I am locked and loaded for this great TNT Western Conference Thursday doubleheader. I’ve had a little extra bounce to my step all day long and even through my arduous workout this afternoon.
It doesn’t get much better for MJ than having Klay Thompson and his Dallas Mavs versus Wemby and the Spurs in the first game…then my favorite player in the league…. Jamal Murray will take centerstage with Jokic in Game 2 versus the Thunder.
I would say this is where we begin to see if Hartenstein can actually help the Thunder to become a better rebounding team and one that can compete on the boards with teams like Dallas with Lively and Gabbard, the Lakers with AD—who just shredded the passive submissive Thunder last season…and other big physical teams in the West who gave the Thunder nightmares on the boards last season.
Conversely…we will begin to see if Michael Malone will be able to depend on young players like Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, and Zeke Nnaji. Plus, it will be very interesting to see how many minutes vets like Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric are given by Coach Michael Malone.
Russell some advice, buddy….don’t piss off Coach Malone. Please do what he says.
We haven’t seen the Nuggetts in a real game since they blew a 20-point second half lead in Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals to the TWolves.
See the above presser in reargds to Coach Malone’s anguish after that giveaway loss in a Game 7.
As Charles said the other night to the mostly annoying Shaq…”The West this season is going to be beyond special…even tighter than Shaq’s belt.”
Amen, Brother Chuck. Amen.
Enjoy the games.
Mike J