So here we go…the matchup NBA fans wanted to see in the West. The Denver 6 with Jokic vs. an OKC Thunder team which in reality goes at least twelve deep with probable MVP Sahi Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way.
This should prove to be an interesting series. I would say again, the Nuggets with David Adelman and without Michael Malone look the same minus the fact it appears to me Coach Adelman has more faith in DeAndre Jordan’s bench minutes versus those of Peyton Watson.
From my objective eye this is how I rate the Top 8 Nugget players coming into this Western Conference semi-final:
1 Jokic, 2 Jamal, 3 Aaron Gordon, 4 Christian Braun, 5 Michael Porter, 6 Russell, 7 Deandre Jordan, 8 Peyton Watson.
If I were to go four players deeper…. 9 Jalen Pickett, 10 Julian Strawther, 11 Zeke, and 12 Tyson Hunter.
Realisticly speaking…Coach Mark can go twelve deep if he so chooses and have a commanding edge in bench talent. But here’s the thing…most NBA championship coaches usually have pared their rotation to 8 or 9 by the ‘goal acheiving segment’ of the season. This is when it matters and every coach basically has the same 240 total game minutes to manage their rotations.
We still really don’t know about the Thunder because they got a relative bye in the first round. We know they’re very talented for certain, but again this franchise hasn’t won a meaningful playoff series since 2016 when they beat an aged Tim Duncan and the Spurs in the second round. If anyone reads this and thinks I’m wrong, please correct me.
This Thunder team appears to be more like a college team with a similarity to Nolan Richardson’s ‘Forty Minutes of Hell’ approach. Or more recently somewhat akin to what Florida Coach Todd Golden did with his bench on the Gators’ run to their recent national championship.
Can the Denver 6 somewhat temper the torrid pace of the Thunder and bring these games to a slower more manageable pace?
If I’m Coach Addelman with my team today the majority of what I’m talking about is pace, turnovers, offensive rebounding, and LIVE BALL TURNOVERS.
To have success against this Thunder team you need to eliminate live ball turnovers and be a force on the offensive boards so as to keep the horses from running loose at their most comfortable pace.
To further illustrate this point I would write the Thunder are very much hoping the Houston Rockets do not advance this evening because they take care of the ball and in my mind are the best offensive rebounding team in the NBA when Steven Adams plays like he did in Game 6.
BTW…I’m happy for Steven. It’s good to see him finally healthy again. I loved his book and all the good things he does for people back in New Zealand.
Tonight’s game?
I would be shocked if the Warriors win this game because they’ve been absolutely brutal these past two games. Draymond Green in Game 6 took a Flagrant 1 less than two minutes into the game which resulted in a four point possession for the Rockets.
There is a profound difference between playing tough and playing like an unchained idiot. We’ll see which Draymond Green shows up in Houston this evening, and Steph Curry needs to bring his game as well.
We’ll see if they have anything left.
Mike J