Third triple double in a row. 32/16/16 with 4 steals. 16 assists is quite a lot but he should've had 20+. Teammates were missing tons of wide open threes and at least 2 open layups. Anyway, it's a road win. I'll take it.
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Third triple double in a row. 32/16/16 with 4 steals. 16 assists is quite a lot but he should've had 20+. Teammates were missing tons of wide open threes and at least 2 open layups. Anyway, it's a road win. I'll take it.
[QUOTE=elementally morale;14887465]Third triple double in a row. 32/16/16 with 4 steals. 16 assists is quite a lot but he should've had 20+. Teammates were missing tons of wide open threes and at least 2 open layups. Anyway, it's a road win. I'll take it.[/QUOTE]
Not just the third triple double ever, the first player ever to record 14+ rebounds and assists on three consecutive nights. Also, an excellent night for some Hotel.com commercials with him and PW. With the right plan, I’m pretty sure he could be marketable.
On the game, Nuggets played like crap for the first 20 minutes. Totally loose on D and giving up way too many Offensive rebounds. Then they stepped it up to end the half, and played playoff level ball for the first half of the third and for some stretches in the fourth.
Oh, and it’s great to see Braun playing with some confidence again.
Jokic should be winning his 4th straight MVP to be honest, shame voters felt bad for Embiid last season.
Only 14 14 and 11 last night with 3 steals and a block. It’s his fourth consecutive triple double, all of them completed before the end of the third. This game, he had the luxury of sitting out the fourth. And this stat line doesn’t begin to show how dominant he was in the second and third quarters.
Really bad game. Uninspired play, lots of turnovers and missed potential (and very makeable) game winner. 25 and 16 on 8 of 18 but it was a lot worse than it looks.
I know it's against the Grizzlies but 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in the 1st quarter is a clear sign of someone starting to pull his sh!t together as far as getting into shape is concerned. No Aaron Gordon and no Jamal Murray but the Nuggets are up 16. It doesn't matter who Jokic plays with it seems.
Last game was a not-much-talked-about borderline triple double (26/18/16). Let's see the matchup against Wemby who went 42/20 the same night.
The game started with Jokic winning the jump ball. Then he missed almost all the three pointers he took (4 on the 1st quarter alone) but he was decent otherwise: 15 points and 8 rebounds in 12 minutes. Got one of his hesitation layups blocked by Wemby. The whole Q had the feeling of a pick-up game. The game is close but the Spurs are seriously undermanned and the Nuggets play down to the level of the competition unfortunately.
Jokic had 3 dunks in the 1st quarter. Before this game he had 12 or 13 all season. I doubt there is an NBA game in the Joker's career when he had 3 dunks in a quarter.
What a game.
Jesus Christ. What a block by Wemby. 9th for the game.
[QUOTE=SATAN;14896493]Jesus Christ. What a block by Wemby. 9th for the game.[/QUOTE]
He was really close to a quad double.
The game showed some awful shooting and some of those shots were ill advised. Two centers taking a combined 17 three pointers while making 3 of them is not something you want to see. Others were off as well: Jokic should have had 12 assists minimum but nothing went in. He finished with 42/16/6 but he didn't have as good a game as these stats suggest. I'll take the win.
It's kinda funny how the league wants to step in and stop Jokic from drawing shooting fouls when the other team is trying to deliberately foul him in crunch time. Like, what can you do about it really? He was 100% in shooting motion during that last foul. It's cheap and some would say it "goes against the spirit of the game" (lol) but it's still a smart play.
[QUOTE=SATAN;14896506]It's kinda funny how the league wants to step in and stop Jokic from drawing shooting fouls when the other team is trying to deliberately foul him in crunch time. Like, what can you do about it really? He was 100% in shooting motion during that last foul. It's cheap and some would say it "goes against the spirit of the game" (lol) but it's still a smart play.[/QUOTE]
This one was not even cheap. When he is trying it with 20 seconds on the shot clock and under his own basket it's against the spirit of the game so to speak but when it's a close game with a few seconds left and he tries to take the shot (he tried taking this one) it's just a blown call. Okay he didn't want to take it desperately but it was a shooting foul.
How many of his shots were blocked by Wemby? At least 3. Maybe more. This is something he will have to learn to better deal with in the years to come. The Spurs will not be out of the playoffs for long.
[QUOTE=elementally morale;14896515]
How many of his shots were blocked by Wemby? At least 3. Maybe more. This is something he will have to learn to better deal with in the years to come. The Spurs will not be out of the playoffs for long.[/QUOTE]
I suspect that's why we got three dunks in one quarter from him. He seemed, uncharacteristically, unaware of Wemby on the chase down block near the end of the game. I was surprised that he didn't dunk that one as well. Also, he used a little step-back jump hook twice in a row that worked quite well. Moreover, it seems like his sore wrist is having an impact on his outside shot, which is limiting what he can do against someone like Wemby.
It's pretty amazing how much Wemby's presence is altering teams' offenses. Right now, I have the feeling that teams are willing to attack him, boosting his blocked shot numbers, because they don't see the Spurs as a threat. When he gets a decent team around him, I expect his impact on the game to increase, even as his blocked shot numbers go down.
One last point: Joker's 42/16/6 on a relatively poor shooting night of 56% is simply ho-hum at this point. Greatness for him at this point is simply on another level than greatness for almost anyone else in the league (possible exceptions are Luka and Embiid).
[QUOTE=Duffy Pratt;14896627]
One last point: Joker's 42/16/6 on a relatively poor shooting night of 56%[/QUOTE]
:facepalm
[QUOTE=Duffy Pratt;14896627]One last point: Joker's 42/16/6 on a relatively poor shooting night of 56% is simply ho-hum at this point. Greatness for him at this point is simply on another level than greatness for almost anyone else in the league (possible exceptions are Luka and Embiid).[/QUOTE]
He is missing almost everything from outside the paint now. If his shot (wrist) doesn't improve soon we will see a lot more bullyball (traditional center play) from him. I think Wemby blocking him a few times was the result of Wemby not giving up on the play. Jokic got used to most centers giving up on the play after one or two fakes and good moves and he became a bit lazy. So it's a good wake-up call.
The two best defenders in the NBA are Gobert and Wemby. Both are big men. As is Jokic. After 42 points against the Spurs in a lesser performance he came up with 41 on 16-20 from the field against the Wolves in a great game. So in a week he scored 42 and 41 against the best defense available and he is not even known 'for his scoring'.
That's 83 points on 52 shots with 12 points coming off of FTs. So 71 points on 52 shots. Isn't that a 73.2 TS%? (No. The way TS% is calculated it's actually 69.2% but the way I calculated it makes more sense, I'd say.) Against the two best defenders while he is more of a playmaker than a true scorer. Being out of shape (or not) this is pretty good.
[QUOTE=elementally morale;14898776]The two best defenders in the NBA are Gobert and Wemby. Both are big men. As is Jokic. After 42 points against the Spurs in a lesser performance he came up with 41 on 16-20 from the field against the Wolves in a great game. So in a week he scored 42 and 41 against the best defense available and he is not even known 'for his scoring'.
That's 83 points on 52 shots with 12 points coming off of FTs. So 71 points on 52 shots. Isn't that a 73.2 TS%? (No. The way TS% is calculated it's actually 69.2% but the way I calculated it makes more sense, I'd say.) Against the two best defenders while he is more of a playmaker than a true scorer. Being out of shape (or not) this is pretty good.[/QUOTE]
To be fair those guys are known as the best team defenders, because of their range when protecting the rim against players coming from various angles. Theyre not known as man to man 'lockdown' defenders.
Someone like Draymond with a stouter base and more perimeter mobility is gonna fair better than those guys guarding Jokic one on one. Not that Jokic doesnt still get his points against Dray, but I think it takes more effort to do so and hes not quite as efficient.
[QUOTE=FultzNationRISE;14898811]To be fair those guys are known as the best team defenders, because of their range when protecting the rim against players coming from various angles. Theyre not known as man to man 'lockdown' defenders.
Someone like Draymond with a stouter base and more perimeter mobility is gonna fair better than those guys guarding Jokic one on one. Not that Jokic doesnt still get his points against Dray, but I think it takes more effort to do so and hes not quite as efficient.[/QUOTE]
Draymond uploaded a video of himself telling the world he could do nothing after a game they played this season. But he may still be the best option one on one. Not sure. You can't really guard Jokic. It's strange because he seems like someone you absolutely can contain but it's deceiving. Looks slow but last night he had at least 3 possessions he left Gobert wondering where he disappeared.
[QUOTE=elementally morale;14898812]Draymond uploaded a video of himself telling the world he could do nothing after a game they played this season. But he may still be the best option one on one. Not sure. You can't really guard Jokic. It's strange because he seems like someone you absolutely can contain but it's deceiving. Looks slow but last night he had at least 3 possessions he left Gobert wondering where he disappeared.[/QUOTE]
Bam has sometimes done a good job denying him the ball and frustrating Denver from getting into the offense. Nurcic seems to cause him some problems. Minnesota did better on him earlier in the year with Towns playing primary defense and Gobert helping on the weak side.
Last night, the best they managed was to take away Gordon from the Joker/Murray/Gordon triumvirate, thus forcing Joker to be a scorer. That kept the game close until the Denver D stepped up and they got to pick up the pace. (Braun and Watson were amazing last night, and very scary for the rest of the league if that is foreshadowing of the playoffs.)
Jokic played 41 and a half minutes, the most by far on either team. 27/20/10
The team was basically missing everything. If they make half of their wide open looks it's a 30/20/20 game. It wasn't, but if anyone says Jokic is out of shape I don't know what they are watching.
Miracle win. After having an awful game, Murray stepped up and won it in the last 90 seconds. On an all time great buzzer beater, too.
[QUOTE=elementally morale;14902382]Jokic played 41 and a half minutes, the most by far on either team. 27/20/10
The team was basically missing everything. If they make half of their wide open looks it's a 30/20/20 game. It wasn't, but if anyone says Jokic is out of shape I don't know what they are watching.
Miracle win. After having an awful game, Murray stepped up and won it in the last 90 seconds. On an all time great buzzer beater, too.[/QUOTE]
These last games looked like the basketball version of rope-a-dope. Both games, the Lakers came out ferociously and then faded as they got gassed. It’s at least partially true that Jokic helped turn these games through his superior conditioning.
What everyone is missing, however, is that all that has happened so far is that the Nuggets have held home court advantage. This game was incredible, and a blast to watch. But, as Kenny Smith likes to say, the series doesn’t start until there is an elimination game.
[QUOTE=Duffy Pratt;14902446]What everyone is missing, however, is that all that has happened so far is that the Nuggets have held home court advantage.[/QUOTE]
True. But I have a tough time imagining the Lakers playing better than this game after tonight's loss. And Denver was really bad until the last 4-5 minutes left in the 3rd. This seemed to be the Lakers best chance to build momentum. They almost have, but instead got their hearts broken. Will be very hard to snap out of it.
[QUOTE=elementally morale;14902460]True. But I have a tough time imagining the Lakers playing better than this game after tonight's loss. And Denver was really bad until the last 4-5 minutes left in the 3rd. This seemed to be the Lakers best chance to build momentum. They almost have, but instead got their hearts broken. Will be very hard to snap out of it.[/QUOTE]
The Lakers supposedly have championship DNA. They should be able to snap out of this and still play well, but I suspect you are probably right.
When I said everyone was missing my point, it’s clear at least that Malone knows better. Hopefully, the Nuggets don’t approach the Lakers like they have already got them beat. The one thing that has troubled me about the Nuggets this year is that they have rarely put teams away when they’ve had fairly big leads. I doubt that same laxness will carry over to series, but won’t know until I see it.
After the first series and first 5 games of the playoffs, against the Lakers and especially Anthony Davis:
28.2 points
16.2 rebounds
9.8 assists
59.1% from the field
92.6% from the FT line
EFF: 44.4
And he was not his usual self at times.
[QUOTE=elementally morale;14905163]After the first series and first 5 games of the playoffs, against the Lakers and especially Anthony Davis:
28.2 points
16.2 rebounds
9.8 assists
59.1% from the field
92.6% from the FT line
EFF: 44.4
And he was not his usual self at times.[/QUOTE]
Too many turnovers - seven in the last game. His team defense is excellent, but he was a liability here when they could truly iso him. I don’t see the latter against any of the likely future opponents. In each of the wins, Jokic took advantage of his superior condition. Just imagine what it would be like if he got in shape.
[QUOTE=elementally morale;14905163]After the first series and first 5 games of the playoffs, against the Lakers and especially Anthony Davis:
28.2 points
16.2 rebounds
9.8 assists
59.1% from the field
92.6% from the FT line
EFF: 44.4
And he was not his usual self at times.[/QUOTE]
What an incredible line. Amazingly, Davis practically matched him (minus assists) with 28/16 of his own on 63%! You're right, he was not always his usual self. The 7 TO's tonight were really perplexing.
I can't wait to see what joker does against Minny next round.
[QUOTE=Duffy Pratt;14905175]Too many turnovers - seven in the last game. His team defense is excellent, but he was a liability here when they could truly iso him. I don’t see the latter against any of the likely future opponents. In each of the wins, Jokic took advantage of his superior condition. Just imagine what it would be like if he got in shape.[/QUOTE]
I agree he could've played better. As for the TOs, his series average is at 3.2 (not terrible). He was missing some easy shots so it easily could've been a 30/16/10 performance on 62% FG. It wasn't. However, that 44.4 EFF is something else. This here shows a HUGE gap:
[url]https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders?SeasonType=Playoffs&StatCategory=EFF[/url]
[QUOTE=White Hammer;14905176]What an incredible line. Amazingly, Davis practically matched him (minus assists) with 28/16 of his own on 63%! You're right, he was not always his usual self. The 7 TO's tonight were really perplexing.
I can't wait to see what joker does against Minny next round.[/QUOTE]
The real difference is that Jokic does his scoring on the sideline. He finishes the first halves of games with 5-7 attempts and 8-10 points. Then all of a sudden he is somehow near 30 by the end. And this was against very good defense. Not only AD was on him but Jokic was doubled and tripled many times. He is #1 in rebounds, #2 in assists and #8 in points in the playoffs so far. He is #1 in literally every advanced stat available.
[QUOTE=Duffy Pratt;14905175]Too many turnovers - seven in the last game. His team defense is excellent,[B] but he was a liability here when they could truly iso him.[/B] I don’t see the latter against any of the likely future opponents. In each of the wins, Jokic took advantage of his superior condition. Just imagine what it would be like if he got in shape.[/QUOTE]
I think his defense was bad on the pick and rolls. When AD rolled, Murray had to help and that's easy buckets on AD.
But give credit to AD. His shot-making over Jokic was great. AD was taking it to him. Matching him when it comes to scoring.
And Jokic had a bad game in game 5 yet he had 25/20/9 on 57%.
Jokic had a bad defensive series. But even with his bad games, Jokic had insane stats. Crazy how I think he could get better.