Comments on: Clippers vs Nuggets, 2025 First Round Series Preview

By: Oodypkt

Oodypkt — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 07:32:28 +0000

MEM is so strange. Couple years ago, they looks like OKC before OKC. Super talented group of guys, home grown, athletic as hell, etc.
But maybe as you said that the overall BBIQ, from top to bottom, might not be there.
I agree to disagree with you on DAL.
If Kyrie is available, he would throw lob all day to their athletic bigs and their rim protector is no joke, at least from my own view.
But now they don’t have their shifty ball handler. If the passing lane is cut short, they are done.
Anyway, I hope that their frontline, if they can get there, will at least be physical against I-Hart, JayLin & Chet.
Let’s just say if those team didn’t have Bron, maybe DAL can be the homeless version of the Bubble LAL. Not the best comp, I know that, but big front line with shooting prowess (from Klay) is still dangerous in slow-paced setting like in the postseason.
Let’s see how it goes.

By: I'm a Mann I'm 40

I'm a Mann I'm 40 — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 05:54:12 +0000

Dallas is pretty mid. I wondered about them too, but just saw too many games where they just are very average. Weak on offense and not even all that good on defense. They may have looked pretty good against the Kings, but they won’t be any trouble to OKC. I would be shocked if that isn’t a sweep.

Memphis def has more talent, but they have super low IQ

By: khyber jones

khyber jones — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 04:38:30 +0000

I agree with Ty Lue’s focus on taking care of the ball and getting back on defense. The Clippers have the best half court offense and defense in this tournament. They are mid to dumpster fire bad in transition. However, I think the latter can be fixed with a focused effort. In the regular season, you don’t often have the time or flexibility to pay such attention to detail, but in the playoffs you can make adjustments to minimize such weaknesses. The match up stuff will take care of itself if we’re taking care of the ball.

I do think Norm Powell or Bogdanovic is poised to have a big series against Denver. Denver is among the softer teams defensively in this tournament, and I don’t think their 3rd or 4th defender can really guard Norm. If he controls his emotions, stops over dribbling, and stops making cheap fouls, he’s eventually going to get enough touches to get into rhythm and make real buckets.

Jokic and Gordon are the toughest match ups but we have a 4/5 of Kawhi and Zu which will be problems for them, and I don’t think they have an answer for Harden.

By: Oodypkt

Oodypkt — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 03:28:29 +0000

OT but 9-10 matchup for the play-in is crazy.
Heat & Mavs might storm into the playoffs as a 10th ranked team in their conference!
Despite the backlash from Luka trade, DAL look real dangerous with their extra big line-up. Klay might be their smallest starter, that’s absurd.
And Kyrie hopes to be back for them early Next year.
If they actually go past MEM, I genuinely believe they will give OKC some real trouble with their match-up.
I don’t think they can slow down SGA or J-Will. But their frontline will not be easy to handle.
I will root for them. MEM is too immature & inconsistent to do any real damage in the postseason.

By: Oodypkt

Oodypkt — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 03:14:35 +0000

It’s gonna be a great series. No one will back down.
We need Dunn, DJJ, Coffey, Bogi & Batum to be a different maker.
Top 4-5 on both teams seems to neutralize each other.
The next 5 guys might decide the outcome.
I won’t regret, win or lose, since I know this team will fight till the end.
Buckle up, it will be a wild ride.

By: Robert Flom

Robert Flom — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 02:54:41 +0000

Yeah the Clippers cant be as sloppy as they were for most of the regular season

By: Robert Flom

Robert Flom — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 02:54:18 +0000

Yeah Zu vs Jokic seemed too obvious lol, but the series does hinge on it to some extent

By: Robert Flom

Robert Flom — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 02:54:00 +0000

Kawhi

By: John Maclean

John Maclean — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 01:16:43 +0000

Agree on all the analyses. I think how competitive and how long this series goes depends on Joker’s belief in whether his team can win the chip or not. He is a very stoic personality that’s averse to public attention and can’t wait to get back to Serbia at the end of each season and disappear. He’s too principled to not give it everything for a game or two but if the vibes in the locker room and on the court aren’t right I predict he gently lets go of the rope.

As stated repeatedly, I believe this happened with Kawhi in the Bubble to where he lost faith in Doc, Trez and even Lou and just checked out mentally. Very similar personalities.

Both Kawhi and Harden have more to play for beyond just the chip, to where just proving critics wrong and redeeming their reputations may be as close to as important for them.

The coaching thing won’t matter in terms of X’s and O’s but I believe only a player’s coach can step in and reinvigorate a team late season not a cerebral one. Doug Christie was an excellent example of this.

For all these reasons I’m going Clippers in 5 or 6. But obviously if Nuggets rekindle that Championship fire and chemistry we and the rest of the league are in trouble.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 20:52:45 +0000

What denver website?