NBA FINALS 2023: Miami Heat vs Denver Nuggets

[HammerGold]

A lot of changes happen in the NBA. We haven't even gotten to the offseason. There are going to be moves made, new additions, teams aren't just going to sit on their hands.

Too early to feel, really good, about them repeating. Of course, they got to win the finals first.

They'll be in the mix. I think repeating is pretty hard in any sport. Youth is on their side, all their core players are in their 20s, so that's good news for them.

I feel pretty decent about them winning another title, at some point. I am not sure it'll be next season.

The West is weak right now which helps them greatly. The East with Milwaukee, Boston, Miami (if they can make a big move,) and Philadelphia is a lot more top heavy.

Teams can make moves but usually you don't come out of nowhere. The only challenger I see are the Suns who have a lot of age/decline/injury concerns but the West seems like a cake walk besides Phoenix.

 

[2 For The Brew]

I feel pretty decent about them winning another title, at some point. I am not sure it'll be next season.

Another title? They haven’t won their first.

 

[HammerGold]

Another title? They haven’t won their first.

They're cruising to this one. These Finals are a mismatch

 

[2 For The Brew]

They're cruising to this one. These Finals are a mismatch

Upsets happen in sports. Neither you nor anyone else knows what’s going to happen.

But since you’re so sure I’ll put up $10 if you put up $1000. That’s the same odds Man O War had in a couple of horse races. He only lost once. Any idea what was the name of the horse that beat him?

 

[HammerGold]

Upsets happen in sports. Neither you nor anyone else knows what’s going to happen.

But since you’re so sure I’ll put up $10 if you put up $1000. That’s the same odds Man O War had in a couple of horse races. He only lost once. Any idea what was the name of the horse that beat him?

I wouldn't because Joker or Murray could get injured. Upsets dont really happen over a 7 game series. Denver is the better team

 

[2 For The Brew]

I wouldn't because Joker or Murray could get injured. Upsets dont really happen over a 7 game series. Denver is the better team

Of course you wouldn’t make that bet. Nobody would. That’s why assuming Denver has already won the series is incorrect.

You don’t consider Miami’s win over Milwaukee an upset?

Risible.

 

[Benway]

I wouldn't because Joker or Murray could get injured. Upsets dont really happen over a 7 game series. Denver is the better team

You could bet 850 to win 100 on that series now anyway!

 

[HammerGold]

Of course you wouldn’t make that bet. Nobody would. That’s why assuming Denver has already won the series is incorrect.

You don’t consider Miami’s win over Milwaukee an upset?

Risible.

Giannis missed 3 games and didn't look like himself when he came back. Without a healthy Giannis it wasn't an upset.

 

[Rich]

I wouldn't because Joker or Murray could get injured. Upsets dont really happen over a 7 game series. Denver is the better team

 

[Rich]

The West is weak right now which helps them greatly. The East with Milwaukee, Boston, Miami (if they can make a big move,) and Philadelphia is a lot more top heavy.

Teams can make moves but usually you don't come out of nowhere. The only challenger I see are the Suns who have a lot of age/decline/injury concerns but the West seems like a cake walk besides Phoenix.

Guys what is going on here I feel like this guy hasn't watched any of the post-season and doesn't realize the NBA Finals are occurring right now involving the 8th seeded Miami Heat.

"Well ya know boys if the team that beat Milwaukee and Boston and is in the Finals made a big move they could be as good as Milwaukee and Boston!"

Where am I? How did I arrive here?

 

[HammerGold]

Guys what is going on here I feel like this guy hasn't watched any of the post-season and doesn't realize the NBA Finals are occurring right now involving the 8th seeded Miami Heat.

"Well ya know boys if the team that beat Milwaukee and Boston and is in the Finals made a big move they could be as good as Milwaukee and Boston!"

Where am I? How did I arrive here?

Jimmy Butler is getting old and Caleb Martin's performance isn't sustainable.

 

[Jscc]

Jimmy Butler is getting old and Caleb Martin's performance isn't sustainable.

Prove it.

 

[Rich]

This would all be more believable if the HEat weren't in game 7 of the ECF just last year.

Clearly, it's sustainable.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Jimmy Butler is getting old and Caleb Martin's performance isn't sustainable.

Like your schtick.

 

[cavsfever]

League seems to be back to catering to bigs since we have some uber talented bigs again.

Started with Giannis being allowed to lower his shoulder tbh. Now Embiid and especially Jokic do it at will when in scoring mode.

It makes those guys even more unstoppable.

I'm cool with it l, well, until Allen and Mobley get knocked off their spots lol.

And also tbf Lebron did his fair share of crashing into people, although he was fouled more than any other wing by far in the history of the game.

Jokic is probably going to have a Shaq effect where teams are going to have to go after a particular type of center to defend Jokic. Has to be a strong big with quick feet and decent defensive instincts. Good luck with that. Mobley would have to put on some more weight and muscle. I could see it.

It's hard to quantify what Jokic is doing.

He's one of a kind.

Easily the best combination of court vision and touch I've ever seen.

And shout out to Mike freaking Malone for figuring this shit out.

Eta: And the front office as well.

Great post. So much in the NBA is ref-dependent. I’ve definitely noticed that Embiid and Jokic are being permitted to bump defenders pretty hard and even flopping defenders are not getting the call. You’re also right that Lebron got massively fouled without calls, although they kind of made up for it by not calling fouls on him.

As you point out though, Jokic’s skills are so complete and go so far beyond being a big guy and using his strength. Both his shooting and passing touch are absolutely unreal. Being permitted to use his size and strength to back defenders down is just the cherry on top. You can really see the difference with Embiid, who has like “pretty good” skills (far inferior to Jokic) and is more dependent on physicality. In high pressure playoff situations Jokic has a vast toolkit to draw upon and can be anything from a passer to a three point shooter to a bully ball interior center, so he’s basically impossible to shut down.

I find myself wondering if peak Jokic could end up being the greatest offensive player of all time, above Jordan and Lebron. Seems crazy to say but he’s up there…incredibly complete package