The volume. Oh my god, how could he do that? What Charles Darwin?

The volume. Oh my god, how could he do that? What Charles Darwin?

The nerves is where it's at. Welcome everybody back into nerd Sash as always, I'm Carson breber In alongside me. Thank god, Logan cam In is back. I really thought yesterday there was a chance that we had lost you for good, Logan. But you're back. You're as bald and as beautiful as ever, and you're ready to talk some basketball and we need your insights. We need you on this show. Man, me going solo, it's no good.

The nerves is where it's at. Welcome everybody back into nerd Sash as always, I'm Carson breber In alongside me. Thank god, Logan cam In is back. I really thought yesterday there was a chance that we had lost you for good, Logan. But you're back. You're as bald and as beautiful as ever, and you're ready to talk some basketball and we need your insights. We need you on this show. Man, me going solo, it's no good.

I'm chained back up to my radiator and I'm ready to go.

I'm chained back up to my radiator and I'm ready to go.

Man, it was a terrible mistake to ever let you out.

Man, it was a terrible mistake to ever let you out.

I know, I don't know what they were thinking.

I know, I don't know what they were thinking.

Man, it will not happen again. But you came back losing because you have what's known as Stockholm syndrome. We're not gonna talk about that right now. We're gonna talk about out the basketball. We had two games today. We're also going to talk about Wolves Warriors because we didn't get to that yesterday. But we have to start Logan with what has been the best series of the second round Peak basketball so far. The Oklahoma City Thunder got a big ol win to even their series up at two games a piece against the Denver Nuggets. This time it's okay see who comes out with a clutch win after Denver had taken games one and three in the clutch. What was your biggest takeaway from OKC evening things up in this series.

Man, it will not happen again. But you came back losing because you have what's known as Stockholm syndrome. We're not gonna talk about that right now. We're gonna talk about out the basketball. We had two games today. We're also going to talk about Wolves Warriors because we didn't get to that yesterday. But we have to start Logan with what has been the best series of the second round Peak basketball so far. The Oklahoma City Thunder got a big ol win to even their series up at two games a piece against the Denver Nuggets. This time it's okay see who comes out with a clutch win after Denver had taken games one and three in the clutch. What was your biggest takeaway from OKC evening things up in this series.

I mean, shout out OKC for winning this game, but the Denver Nuggets can't win this series with the level that NICOLEA. Jokic is currently had. I mean, this might be the worst stretch of basketball I can remember from Nikola Jokic, Like this is some of the absolute worst I've ever seen Jokic play. If we take game one out of the equation here and we just look at Jokic's last three games, He's giving you twenty one twelve and five with five turnovers a game on thirty three percent from the field, eighteen percent from deep, and under forty four percent true shooting. Carson, I've never seen Joker flustered like this. He looked unconfident in himself. He looked just flustered. And I think the last like the two free throws that he misses at the end of the game really encapsulate that too. Like he just looks rattled in a way I've never seen Joker rattle before. And I think it speaks to two things those numbers that I mentioned. One, Oklahoma City really defends Joker at such a high level. I mean, and you have to give props to them for that. But like laid into this first of all, early in this game, Jokic doesn't want to go to the bucket in transition, is just passive, like putting on his brakes early and giving it off to Christian Brown or Russell Westbrook. Dude, the Thunder and the Nuggets combined for the lowest amount of first quarter points in playoff basketball history. So like one, it was just an incredibly slow start from both of these teams. But Joker comes out the gates super passive. And then late in this game, Carson, he's one on one in single coverage getting to that little floater area and he's either missing or he's passing out. Like the Joker that I have come to no one love and expect is a guy that is going to in the game's biggest moments. He's gonna back you down to that spot, He's gonna get to that shot. He didn't do that late in this game, and he has just consistently looked flustered. Man, I don't know, I've never seen Joker like this, and this was a really pivotal game. Denver can't win this series as good as the role players played because I thought the defense was great. I love the energy and the consistent production that we're getting out of Aaron Gordon, Russell Westbrook and Christian Brown. But the Nuggets can't get this thing down done with the level that Jokic has been at. Man has got to be better.

I mean, shout out OKC for winning this game, but the Denver Nuggets can't win this series with the level that NICOLEA. Jokic is currently had. I mean, this might be the worst stretch of basketball I can remember from Nikola Jokic, Like this is some of the absolute worst I've ever seen Jokic play. If we take game one out of the equation here and we just look at Jokic's last three games, He's giving you twenty one twelve and five with five turnovers a game on thirty three percent from the field, eighteen percent from deep, and under forty four percent true shooting. Carson, I've never seen Joker flustered like this. He looked unconfident in himself. He looked just flustered. And I think the last like the two free throws that he misses at the end of the game really encapsulate that too. Like he just looks rattled in a way I've never seen Joker rattle before. And I think it speaks to two things those numbers that I mentioned. One, Oklahoma City really defends Joker at such a high level. I mean, and you have to give props to them for that. But like laid into this first of all, early in this game, Jokic doesn't want to go to the bucket in transition, is just passive, like putting on his brakes early and giving it off to Christian Brown or Russell Westbrook. Dude, the Thunder and the Nuggets combined for the lowest amount of first quarter points in playoff basketball history. So like one, it was just an incredibly slow start from both of these teams. But Joker comes out the gates super passive. And then late in this game, Carson, he's one on one in single coverage getting to that little floater area and he's either missing or he's passing out. Like the Joker that I have come to no one love and expect is a guy that is going to in the game's biggest moments. He's gonna back you down to that spot, He's gonna get to that shot. He didn't do that late in this game, and he has just consistently looked flustered. Man, I don't know, I've never seen Joker like this, and this was a really pivotal game. Denver can't win this series as good as the role players played because I thought the defense was great. I love the energy and the consistent production that we're getting out of Aaron Gordon, Russell Westbrook and Christian Brown. But the Nuggets can't get this thing down done with the level that Jokic has been at. Man has got to be better.

Yeah, he's got to be way, way better now. I would say that we cannot talk about his struggles without giving so much credit to this Oklahoma City defense, which is by far the best in the league. Is in my opinion, one of the greatest that we've seen in the history of this sport and has defended him and Denver better than anybody else. Has You asked me this the other day and I said, well, I actually think that Jokic has run into the two defenses that are best equipped to give him trouble in these two playoffs series. The Clippers have the best individual Yokic defender in Zubots, who can really limit his ability to cook one on one. But the thunder defend him best as a collective team with their ability to pester him with doubles, their collective length, they're insanely good hands, their physicality, their speed, rotating, disrupting interior passes, getting out to shooters. They have given the Nuggets offense fits in a way that nobody else has this entire season, and honestly, nobody else has in the Jokic reign in Denver, like even the Minnesota Timberwolves of last year did not fluster Jokic in the Denver offense to this extent. In fact, Logan three of the Nuggets bottom five offensive performances this year by offensive rating, when Yokic plays have come against the thunder Man. It's just incredible what they have done. And this is easily the worst playoff series of Jokic's career. Man, and that even includes before he was at an MVP level. We can go back to twenty nineteen, we can go back to twenty twenty. He's played in sixteen career playoff series. Here are where his numbers versus OKC rank among those series. Five point three assists per game is fourteenth out of sixteen series, five point eight turnovers per game. He has a negative assist to turnover ratio that is by far the most that he's ever averaged in a series. Thirty nine percent from the field not just the worst he's ever posted in the series. He had never been below forty eight percent. It's by far the worst that we've ever seen from him. Twenty one percent from three, worst in his playoff career, forty nine percent through shooting worst. So in terms of his scoring efficiency, it's by far the worst we've ever seen him. In terms of his playmaking impact, it's by far the worst we've ever seen him. In terms of his ability to protect the basketball, it's by far the worst that we've ever seen him. And yeah, he has to wear that and he has to be way better. And he almost cost the Nuggets Game three, and he really did cost in this one.

Yeah, he's got to be way, way better now. I would say that we cannot talk about his struggles without giving so much credit to this Oklahoma City defense, which is by far the best in the league. Is in my opinion, one of the greatest that we've seen in the history of this sport and has defended him and Denver better than anybody else. Has You asked me this the other day and I said, well, I actually think that Jokic has run into the two defenses that are best equipped to give him trouble in these two playoffs series. The Clippers have the best individual Yokic defender in Zubots, who can really limit his ability to cook one on one. But the thunder defend him best as a collective team with their ability to pester him with doubles, their collective length, they're insanely good hands, their physicality, their speed, rotating, disrupting interior passes, getting out to shooters. They have given the Nuggets offense fits in a way that nobody else has this entire season, and honestly, nobody else has in the Jokic reign in Denver, like even the Minnesota Timberwolves of last year did not fluster Jokic in the Denver offense to this extent. In fact, Logan three of the Nuggets bottom five offensive performances this year by offensive rating, when Yokic plays have come against the thunder Man. It's just incredible what they have done. And this is easily the worst playoff series of Jokic's career. Man, and that even includes before he was at an MVP level. We can go back to twenty nineteen, we can go back to twenty twenty. He's played in sixteen career playoff series. Here are where his numbers versus OKC rank among those series. Five point three assists per game is fourteenth out of sixteen series, five point eight turnovers per game. He has a negative assist to turnover ratio that is by far the most that he's ever averaged in a series. Thirty nine percent from the field not just the worst he's ever posted in the series. He had never been below forty eight percent. It's by far the worst that we've ever seen from him. Twenty one percent from three, worst in his playoff career, forty nine percent through shooting worst. So in terms of his scoring efficiency, it's by far the worst we've ever seen him. In terms of his playmaking impact, it's by far the worst we've ever seen him. In terms of his ability to protect the basketball, it's by far the worst that we've ever seen him. And yeah, he has to wear that and he has to be way better. And he almost cost the Nuggets Game three, and he really did cost in this one.

I completely agree, and he has in the presser. Man, it's weird not that Jokic is taking ownership of it. I really respect that Jokic recognizes how poorly he's been playing. But that's what I'm saying, man, Like I think it's in the back of his mind, Like Jokic knows he's not pulling his weight. He's not as great as he needs to be, And I don't know, man like, I think he's I think he's okay. SE's defense has gotten Jokic in his own head a little bit, Like he is such a cerebral player and he's so smart and he's so confident. But I don't feel that watching Jokic play in these last couple of games, Like he seems like he's dealing with obviously a great Okac defense, but also trying to overcome doubting himself man Like, I don't think he knows just how to get himself back into gear. Man, he really looks rattled.

I completely agree, and he has in the presser. Man, it's weird not that Jokic is taking ownership of it. I really respect that Jokic recognizes how poorly he's been playing. But that's what I'm saying, man, Like I think it's in the back of his mind, Like Jokic knows he's not pulling his weight. He's not as great as he needs to be, And I don't know, man like, I think he's I think he's okay. SE's defense has gotten Jokic in his own head a little bit, Like he is such a cerebral player and he's so smart and he's so confident. But I don't feel that watching Jokic play in these last couple of games, Like he seems like he's dealing with obviously a great Okac defense, but also trying to overcome doubting himself man Like, I don't think he knows just how to get himself back into gear. Man, he really looks rattled.

But you have to give so much credit to the Thunder defense, Like they have executed their scheme and their game plan against him to perfection. Exactly what they hope to do was frustrate and fluster him with the physicality in the double teams, in the active hands, force him into a bunch of turnovers, can test all of his looks in the paint really well, make every finish, every touch shot difficult where he's seeing extra bodies, and obviously they just have great interior defenders, especially Chet, and force him into a position where he is not comfortable in the paint and he starts living on a more jump shot heavy and perimeter heavy offensive diet, and then he's just not as consistent there. And Logan, this was the story of the playoffs last year, where against the Timberwolves he did so much at such a high level, but his jumper just wasn't there when he needed it most. In this series, I mean, it's been a totally different level of jokic struggles all around, but relying on the jumper more when it hasn't been effective enough has been a big problem for him. And I do give so so much credit to the OKC defense for everything they're doing to make him uncomfortable. But as you mentioned, like the touch and the shot making, and when the good looks are there, it's still not what it needs to be from Jokic. He has gone from averaging one point to one points per jump shot in the regular season, just an insane, unbelievable jump shooting campaign, to zero point nine to eight points per jump shot. That's a very average number, and it's obviously not close to what he was doing in the regular season. You even seen it the free throw lot. I mean, this has been a thing throughout the playoffs, but he's only seventy four percent from the line. That number normally for yokicch is consistently above eighty percent. And on those paint touch shots where he is the best that we've ever seen, those little floaters, the hooks, everything in the paint outside the restricted area. He was fifty seven percent in the regular season. He is forty six percent in these playoffs, and that number is lower in this series. It's only forty percent. The jump shooting numbers are significantly worse in this series, So it hurts even more for the Nuggets because this really felt like one that they had to get. Like we've talked about this repeatedly. Winning all the clutch games is Denver's path. Okase can blow them out like they did in Game two. We've seen it multiple times between these two teams this season, including the regular season. Denver has to put themselves in a position where they're there and they're just hanging in there through three quarters and then you get down to the last few minutes and you're the better team. This was a game where they had an opportunity to do that, and Yo get struggling like he did is what cost them and what made them unable to execute that. And again, so much credit to OKCS defense, like I cannot rave about them enough. But at the end of the day, this is a guy who I have called the best offensive player ever and a big part of that equation is missing when the jumper is off like it is. But he is also just not attacking with the consistent aggression. He is not, in my opinion, being assertive enough in the paint, and when he is trying to be assertive, the thunder are just doing a great job. So it's been an all around brutal last three games for Yoki's the worst three game stretch we've seen from him in the playoffs ever, and up to this point, the worst series we've seen from him in the playoffs.

But you have to give so much credit to the Thunder defense, Like they have executed their scheme and their game plan against him to perfection. Exactly what they hope to do was frustrate and fluster him with the physicality in the double teams, in the active hands, force him into a bunch of turnovers, can test all of his looks in the paint really well, make every finish, every touch shot difficult where he's seeing extra bodies, and obviously they just have great interior defenders, especially Chet, and force him into a position where he is not comfortable in the paint and he starts living on a more jump shot heavy and perimeter heavy offensive diet, and then he's just not as consistent there. And Logan, this was the story of the playoffs last year, where against the Timberwolves he did so much at such a high level, but his jumper just wasn't there when he needed it most. In this series, I mean, it's been a totally different level of jokic struggles all around, but relying on the jumper more when it hasn't been effective enough has been a big problem for him. And I do give so so much credit to the OKC defense for everything they're doing to make him uncomfortable. But as you mentioned, like the touch and the shot making, and when the good looks are there, it's still not what it needs to be from Jokic. He has gone from averaging one point to one points per jump shot in the regular season, just an insane, unbelievable jump shooting campaign, to zero point nine to eight points per jump shot. That's a very average number, and it's obviously not close to what he was doing in the regular season. You even seen it the free throw lot. I mean, this has been a thing throughout the playoffs, but he's only seventy four percent from the line. That number normally for yokicch is consistently above eighty percent. And on those paint touch shots where he is the best that we've ever seen, those little floaters, the hooks, everything in the paint outside the restricted area. He was fifty seven percent in the regular season. He is forty six percent in these playoffs, and that number is lower in this series. It's only forty percent. The jump shooting numbers are significantly worse in this series, So it hurts even more for the Nuggets because this really felt like one that they had to get. Like we've talked about this repeatedly. Winning all the clutch games is Denver's path. Okase can blow them out like they did in Game two. We've seen it multiple times between these two teams this season, including the regular season. Denver has to put themselves in a position where they're there and they're just hanging in there through three quarters and then you get down to the last few minutes and you're the better team. This was a game where they had an opportunity to do that, and Yo get struggling like he did is what cost them and what made them unable to execute that. And again, so much credit to OKCS defense, like I cannot rave about them enough. But at the end of the day, this is a guy who I have called the best offensive player ever and a big part of that equation is missing when the jumper is off like it is. But he is also just not attacking with the consistent aggression. He is not, in my opinion, being assertive enough in the paint, and when he is trying to be assertive, the thunder are just doing a great job. So it's been an all around brutal last three games for Yoki's the worst three game stretch we've seen from him in the playoffs ever, and up to this point, the worst series we've seen from him in the playoffs.

Yeah, and just to add on about this game specifically, nobody had a great offensive game on this one. This was like the rock Fight of the playoffs. I truly could not believe my eyes in the first quarter, Like it was.

Yeah, and just to add on about this game specifically, nobody had a great offensive game on this one. This was like the rock Fight of the playoffs. I truly could not believe my eyes in the first quarter, Like it was.

Brought by in the last twenty years. This is the lowest combined field goal percentage of the playoff game in twenty years.

Brought by in the last twenty years. This is the lowest combined field goal percentage of the playoff game in twenty years.

Crazy stat and it's just even so it's that much crazier that Jokic and Sga are both considered the two best players on planet Earth and watching their offenses stall out this stall out like this with staggering.

Crazy stat and it's just even so it's that much crazier that Jokic and Sga are both considered the two best players on planet Earth and watching their offenses stall out this stall out like this with staggering.

But I will say we got to give Yannis his respect because in a postseason where the other two guys who I've had as my top three players have really struggled, the leanness dominated and it was a favorable matchup for him, like he absolutely destroys the pacers, always has and this has been like a really tough matchup for Yokic. But still that doesn't make up for the massive difference that we've seen in their performance in these playoffs. So I will say, as much as I love Shay, I regret having him above Yannis when we did our player rankings. I think that we have seen some of the issues with his decision making in the playoffs, and I thought he was good today. I'm just saying, like, Giannis is so unbelievable, and props to him for holding up in a postseason where so many other superstars have struggled.

But I will say we got to give Yannis his respect because in a postseason where the other two guys who I've had as my top three players have really struggled, the leanness dominated and it was a favorable matchup for him, like he absolutely destroys the pacers, always has and this has been like a really tough matchup for Yokic. But still that doesn't make up for the massive difference that we've seen in their performance in these playoffs. So I will say, as much as I love Shay, I regret having him above Yannis when we did our player rankings. I think that we have seen some of the issues with his decision making in the playoffs, and I thought he was good today. I'm just saying, like, Giannis is so unbelievable, and props to him for holding up in a postseason where so many other superstars have struggled.

Yeah, I don't feel any really differently about either of these guys in a big, dramatic The one thing I do want SGA to stop doing is just look, bro, if you can't head a three, just stop shooting the step backs in the pull up three, especially in crunch time too. But anyway, it really hurts to lose a game like this. When I thought Denver played so elite on the defensive end, I thought their zone really gave Oklahoma City fits for a portion of the game. They're in that three to two for a portion of the game. We actually got a little bit of a box and one, and I thought that might have been the most effective. It was like a box and one with Jokic in the middle, and I really thought it worked well, and so I think, okay, c should go back to that. But to fluster this offense that way, to have off shooting nights from so many guys, you get a really bad jad UB game as well. It felt like Denver had to capitalize and you get a lot of great contributions to on the class and all these energy and extra effort plays from Aaron Gordon, from Brown, from Russell Westbrook, and you let it slip through your fingers. Like I felt like this was the most important game in the series thus far, and I really thought Denver needed it, and somehow Sga was still the best player on the floor. Man, even though I didn't feel like he played his best game, he was the best player on the floor. And y'll catch in this offense just didn't deliver in the clutch, man. I don't I don't want to keep ragging on Denver, but all the things we've talked about, yo kicch, not trusting his shot, not being aggressive enough when you got to feel the moment and just get to your looks. But also, dude, some of this process late. What was up with that like second or third to last possession where dude, they just waste like fifteen to twenty seconds where I'm screaming at my TV get a shot up.

Yeah, I don't feel any really differently about either of these guys in a big, dramatic The one thing I do want SGA to stop doing is just look, bro, if you can't head a three, just stop shooting the step backs in the pull up three, especially in crunch time too. But anyway, it really hurts to lose a game like this. When I thought Denver played so elite on the defensive end, I thought their zone really gave Oklahoma City fits for a portion of the game. They're in that three to two for a portion of the game. We actually got a little bit of a box and one, and I thought that might have been the most effective. It was like a box and one with Jokic in the middle, and I really thought it worked well, and so I think, okay, c should go back to that. But to fluster this offense that way, to have off shooting nights from so many guys, you get a really bad jad UB game as well. It felt like Denver had to capitalize and you get a lot of great contributions to on the class and all these energy and extra effort plays from Aaron Gordon, from Brown, from Russell Westbrook, and you let it slip through your fingers. Like I felt like this was the most important game in the series thus far, and I really thought Denver needed it, and somehow Sga was still the best player on the floor. Man, even though I didn't feel like he played his best game, he was the best player on the floor. And y'll catch in this offense just didn't deliver in the clutch, man. I don't I don't want to keep ragging on Denver, but all the things we've talked about, yo kicch, not trusting his shot, not being aggressive enough when you got to feel the moment and just get to your looks. But also, dude, some of this process late. What was up with that like second or third to last possession where dude, they just waste like fifteen to twenty seconds where I'm screaming at my TV get a shot up.

Well, dude, I mean that's just another spot where I have to give credit to the Oklahoma City defense. And like that's where I would put most of the credit in this game.

Well, dude, I mean that's just another spot where I have to give credit to the Oklahoma City defense. And like that's where I would put most of the credit in this game.

What you're saying about a thousand per it goes in ways.

What you're saying about a thousand per it goes in ways.

This was the ultimate rock fight. And I know everybody's look at this game and focus on how ugly the offense was, how bad the shooting was, and I get it, but I'll be damned if this was not one of the best collective defensive performance. And I'm talking about both teams first time scene. I thought they were both sensational defensively, so like if you go through those clutch sequences, the possession that you're talking about, they just blew up the Nuggets action. They were trying to get Yokic coming over top of screen. They had Jamal set a downscreen for him. They switched Caruso onto him. Caruso blanketed Yokic, blew that up, and so then Aaron Gordon is just kind of dribbling around at the top of the key, like shit, what do I do? They switched Caruso onto him, and Cruso's clamping him, so like they took off twelve seconds of clock and Cruso ends up kind of committing a silly foul that bails them out. But that's just the Oklahoma City defense doing special stuff, man, And I thought the couple possessions before that were the same thing. Like if you go to their third to last real possession, counting the one that we were just talking about as the last possession, they switched the Murray Yokic pick and roll, which I don't think that Denver was expecting and Hartenstein was all over Jamal. I mean he was doing a great job of staying with him in space, and then Mpja actually made a pretty smart cut, but okaysees defense smothered him off that cut, so he had to force up a really tough shot in the lane. Then the next possession for Denver, Jamal takes a really tough off balance fading threes. So they just took away the Nuggets' ability to get any good looks out of their two man game late in this one. And you can't overstate how hard that is to do. This is one of the best clutch offenses we've ever seen. Just what Denver has been able to do over the last several years with Jamal and Jokic in the playoffs, like it is as reliable in action to get a good shot as any we've seen. That's why Denver still scares you so much in these fourth quarters. It's a huge part of their title run. It's a huge part of them consistently coming back against the Lakers. It was a huge part of them taking a two to one lead in this series. And the thunder shot that offense down It's incredible, dude. I mean, they hold Yokics to seven of twenty two, shooting them three assists. They forced him into the worst playoff series of his life. They held jam all fifteen.

This was the ultimate rock fight. And I know everybody's look at this game and focus on how ugly the offense was, how bad the shooting was, and I get it, but I'll be damned if this was not one of the best collective defensive performance. And I'm talking about both teams first time scene. I thought they were both sensational defensively, so like if you go through those clutch sequences, the possession that you're talking about, they just blew up the Nuggets action. They were trying to get Yokic coming over top of screen. They had Jamal set a downscreen for him. They switched Caruso onto him. Caruso blanketed Yokic, blew that up, and so then Aaron Gordon is just kind of dribbling around at the top of the key, like shit, what do I do? They switched Caruso onto him, and Cruso's clamping him, so like they took off twelve seconds of clock and Cruso ends up kind of committing a silly foul that bails them out. But that's just the Oklahoma City defense doing special stuff, man, And I thought the couple possessions before that were the same thing. Like if you go to their third to last real possession, counting the one that we were just talking about as the last possession, they switched the Murray Yokic pick and roll, which I don't think that Denver was expecting and Hartenstein was all over Jamal. I mean he was doing a great job of staying with him in space, and then Mpja actually made a pretty smart cut, but okaysees defense smothered him off that cut, so he had to force up a really tough shot in the lane. Then the next possession for Denver, Jamal takes a really tough off balance fading threes. So they just took away the Nuggets' ability to get any good looks out of their two man game late in this one. And you can't overstate how hard that is to do. This is one of the best clutch offenses we've ever seen. Just what Denver has been able to do over the last several years with Jamal and Jokic in the playoffs, like it is as reliable in action to get a good shot as any we've seen. That's why Denver still scares you so much in these fourth quarters. It's a huge part of their title run. It's a huge part of them consistently coming back against the Lakers. It was a huge part of them taking a two to one lead in this series. And the thunder shot that offense down It's incredible, dude. I mean, they hold Yokics to seven of twenty two, shooting them three assists. They forced him into the worst playoff series of his life. They held jam all fifteen.

That's the one thing that I don't think. I think we have a tendency and I'm using the royal we here yeah to really overreact to individual basketball games, like with superstars and Hall's overrated or Ants sucks or Yokic sucks now right. The one thing that really angered me about regular season discourse was the downplaying of Oklahoma City's historic defense, because I never felt like any of that was fake. Now we talked about how some of the statistics may have been a little inflated, but just the collection of talent and what they put on tape, what they proved like, I felt Oklahoma City proved themselves and I've always felt like that was their biggest strength. In these playoffs. Sga, I did feel like deserved MVP, and I still feel that way, and I felt like he's one of the three best players on planet Earth. Take your pick. Those are true. But I always felt like their superpower, in their best strength was this defense, and that has proven itself, I really think in a big way in this series and it's still the biggest reason why I have the most confidence in them winning the championship this season.

That's the one thing that I don't think. I think we have a tendency and I'm using the royal we here yeah to really overreact to individual basketball games, like with superstars and Hall's overrated or Ants sucks or Yokic sucks now right. The one thing that really angered me about regular season discourse was the downplaying of Oklahoma City's historic defense, because I never felt like any of that was fake. Now we talked about how some of the statistics may have been a little inflated, but just the collection of talent and what they put on tape, what they proved like, I felt Oklahoma City proved themselves and I've always felt like that was their biggest strength. In these playoffs. Sga, I did feel like deserved MVP, and I still feel that way, and I felt like he's one of the three best players on planet Earth. Take your pick. Those are true. But I always felt like their superpower, in their best strength was this defense, and that has proven itself, I really think in a big way in this series and it's still the biggest reason why I have the most confidence in them winning the championship this season.

You can't overstate it, man, and I've said that so many times over and by the way, I said that throughout the year, as people would sort of hyper fixate on some of the OKC concerns that have been real in this series that I think I probably downplayed in the regular season because I have been worried about the consistency of some of their shooters alongside Jay. I have been worried about their collective decision making, like against the zone like that has not been pretty. Okc's offense in several of these games, but they still got out of winning this one because the defense is that special. I do think it's the best defense that we've seen since the Four Pistons. I legitimately believe that it's the best perimeter defense I have ever seen. And you see how versatile they are in that they are still able to force the ultimate center, this two hundred and eighty pound bowling ball into the worst series of his life. Like in every way, their rim protection, their speed on the perimeter, forcing turnovers. They are a dominant, dominant defensive team. And that's what got them through this one. I also thought throughout the game they were able to force the exact sort of shots that they wanted Denver taking. Like especially in the first Quarterman, it was a lot of Christian Brown, Russell Westbrook, and Peyton Watson threes, and that was a theme throughout this game. Those guys combined to go four of twenty. Again, those are shots that Okaysee wants the Nuggets litting off of, and it allows them to make life so hard on their stars and load up on them, especially Jokic, and devote extra attention to him. Also, MPJ just couldn't hit anything for the Nuggets in this one, but it's no coincidence, man, And when you force a team into three of their five worst offensive performances of the year, that is what makes this team so special. But Okase's fourth quarter offense did come through. It was a slog through three quarters, but in that early fourth quarter, and it started even in the late third quarter, the very late third quarter, they started doing a much better job of moving the ball against the zone and they finally had a couple dudes step up who were legitimately comfortable and confident knocking down threes off the catch, and those two guys were Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins, who I thought totally changed the dynamics of this game, especially compared to lou Dort, who was having a disaster also shooting postseason.

You can't overstate it, man, and I've said that so many times over and by the way, I said that throughout the year, as people would sort of hyper fixate on some of the OKC concerns that have been real in this series that I think I probably downplayed in the regular season because I have been worried about the consistency of some of their shooters alongside Jay. I have been worried about their collective decision making, like against the zone like that has not been pretty. Okc's offense in several of these games, but they still got out of winning this one because the defense is that special. I do think it's the best defense that we've seen since the Four Pistons. I legitimately believe that it's the best perimeter defense I have ever seen. And you see how versatile they are in that they are still able to force the ultimate center, this two hundred and eighty pound bowling ball into the worst series of his life. Like in every way, their rim protection, their speed on the perimeter, forcing turnovers. They are a dominant, dominant defensive team. And that's what got them through this one. I also thought throughout the game they were able to force the exact sort of shots that they wanted Denver taking. Like especially in the first Quarterman, it was a lot of Christian Brown, Russell Westbrook, and Peyton Watson threes, and that was a theme throughout this game. Those guys combined to go four of twenty. Again, those are shots that Okaysee wants the Nuggets litting off of, and it allows them to make life so hard on their stars and load up on them, especially Jokic, and devote extra attention to him. Also, MPJ just couldn't hit anything for the Nuggets in this one, but it's no coincidence, man, And when you force a team into three of their five worst offensive performances of the year, that is what makes this team so special. But Okase's fourth quarter offense did come through. It was a slog through three quarters, but in that early fourth quarter, and it started even in the late third quarter, the very late third quarter, they started doing a much better job of moving the ball against the zone and they finally had a couple dudes step up who were legitimately comfortable and confident knocking down threes off the catch, and those two guys were Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins, who I thought totally changed the dynamics of this game, especially compared to lou Dort, who was having a disaster also shooting postseason.

I thought Caruso had a really good game too, man, and I would play Bro. I would play Caruso maybe, like I'm I bugging for saying like twenty five plus, Man, I would have Caruso out.

I thought Caruso had a really good game too, man, and I would play Bro. I would play Caruso maybe, like I'm I bugging for saying like twenty five plus, Man, I would have Caruso out.

There a lot, bro bugging brother. He played twenty five plus, Well, he should be starting. He should be playing way more than doing.

There a lot, bro bugging brother. He played twenty five plus, Well, he should be starting. He should be playing way more than doing.

That's what I'm saying. I think he should play. I'm saying moving forward in the series, I think he should be getting starter level burned because there's a lot of shit man that like Caruso is a great shooter, everybody knows that Cruso is a great defender. Everybody, dude. That one stop on Jamal Murray in transition was unreal. What a big play, And I mean he was making big play after big play in that stretch. He does so many little things that positioning, like little subtle stuff that you don't really pick up on screen. Setting. He's such a good connector and he doesn't need the ball in his hands at all to have an impact. It just so happens that he is an elite shooter and is capable in those other areas. But Okase, he's got guys, and I think they just need to figure out who the right guys are in each series. And I agree, Man, if Dort's gonna be off like he was and it wasn't even like regular off like Dort was clanging, clanging.

That's what I'm saying. I think he should play. I'm saying moving forward in the series, I think he should be getting starter level burned because there's a lot of shit man that like Caruso is a great shooter, everybody knows that Cruso is a great defender. Everybody, dude. That one stop on Jamal Murray in transition was unreal. What a big play, And I mean he was making big play after big play in that stretch. He does so many little things that positioning, like little subtle stuff that you don't really pick up on screen. Setting. He's such a good connector and he doesn't need the ball in his hands at all to have an impact. It just so happens that he is an elite shooter and is capable in those other areas. But Okase, he's got guys, and I think they just need to figure out who the right guys are in each series. And I agree, Man, if Dort's gonna be off like he was and it wasn't even like regular off like Dort was clanging, clanging.

And highway for the entire postseason, I.

And highway for the entire postseason, I.

Would be really okay calling audibles.

Would be really okay calling audibles.

Oh more than that, dude. I mean, I was gonna save the crusoe glaze for later, but we can get to it now. I'm always down. I think he's the role player this planet has ever seen. Absolutely he should be starting, and if he's not literally starting, because dagnall, he's rigid with the literal starting lineup. I mean we saw this even with Josh Giddy last year, right, he would not pull him from the starting lineup until I think Games five and six against Dallas, even though he was obviously hurting them. Regardless of whether or not he makes that literal change or even if he goes with casein starting over Dort. Dort has started every game this year, so maybe he won't literally move off of him as a starter for continuity's sake or whatever. But if Cruso is not playing way more than Dart Dort, and if he is not closing all of these games, that would be a mistake because he is a clearly better basketball player, and he has done every single thing at a higher level than Dort in these playoffs. You call Cruso an elite shooter, I am not comfortable with that, but he is shooting the basketball much better than Lou Dort is right now. Because Lou Dort is twenty five percent from three in these playoffs. Crusoe is consistently at least looking confident stepping into making these shots when that's really hard for a lot of other guys to do. But it's so much more than that. I mean, he is the significantly more impactful all around defender just because he is so insanely disruptive off ball and is a significantly better rim protector. I think he's the better transition defender, and he is like right there as an on ball pest and screen navigator and all the things that Dort does at such a high level, so he's significantly more impactful defensively overall, he is a way better decision maker. He is a way better ball handler. He is a way better driver and finisher. He is clearly better in terms of transition offense. He's significantly better as a passer. Like he's just a way more complete versatile player, Whereas it's like Dort is a great on ball defender. But if you are just going to have Jokic screen for Jamal every single possession, especially in the clutch, like you can get Lou off of Jamal in that matchup, and then he's not gonna be as impactful overall as Caruso is, where he is just gonna blow shit up all over the court. And offensively, you can basically just funnel O Case's offense into open lou Dort catch and shoot threes, and if he's missing those shots, which he's missing badly right now, he doesn't bring you anything else. Whereas Caruso can attack a close out, he can make plays as a driver, scoring or passing. So I am one hundred percent on that boat. And thank god that Dagnault went away from lou Dort and then he went to casein and Wiggins in Caruso because if he hadn't, I don't know if Oklahoma City wins this game. Like I thought that lou Dort was costing them offensively that much. But he did go to the right guys and they did step up. And I do want to give Shay credit because, like you said, man, this game was hard as shit for everybody to score. Shake comes up with nine big fourth quarter points. He had a couple of great downhill drives, He made a tough shot in isolation, he got to line a couple times. He made a nice swing pass when he drew two to Jadub who quickly attacked the gap, and he got a nice bucket versus the zone. Like he was a big reason that they were able to pull through late. And he was really phenomenal until the last two minutes when, like you said, I mean, he's just way too in love with the pull up three right now in those clutch spots. He is shooting twenty three percent from deep in these playoffs. Like I understand he just got a shot up, but.

Oh more than that, dude. I mean, I was gonna save the crusoe glaze for later, but we can get to it now. I'm always down. I think he's the role player this planet has ever seen. Absolutely he should be starting, and if he's not literally starting, because dagnall, he's rigid with the literal starting lineup. I mean we saw this even with Josh Giddy last year, right, he would not pull him from the starting lineup until I think Games five and six against Dallas, even though he was obviously hurting them. Regardless of whether or not he makes that literal change or even if he goes with casein starting over Dort. Dort has started every game this year, so maybe he won't literally move off of him as a starter for continuity's sake or whatever. But if Cruso is not playing way more than Dart Dort, and if he is not closing all of these games, that would be a mistake because he is a clearly better basketball player, and he has done every single thing at a higher level than Dort in these playoffs. You call Cruso an elite shooter, I am not comfortable with that, but he is shooting the basketball much better than Lou Dort is right now. Because Lou Dort is twenty five percent from three in these playoffs. Crusoe is consistently at least looking confident stepping into making these shots when that's really hard for a lot of other guys to do. But it's so much more than that. I mean, he is the significantly more impactful all around defender just because he is so insanely disruptive off ball and is a significantly better rim protector. I think he's the better transition defender, and he is like right there as an on ball pest and screen navigator and all the things that Dort does at such a high level, so he's significantly more impactful defensively overall, he is a way better decision maker. He is a way better ball handler. He is a way better driver and finisher. He is clearly better in terms of transition offense. He's significantly better as a passer. Like he's just a way more complete versatile player, Whereas it's like Dort is a great on ball defender. But if you are just going to have Jokic screen for Jamal every single possession, especially in the clutch, like you can get Lou off of Jamal in that matchup, and then he's not gonna be as impactful overall as Caruso is, where he is just gonna blow shit up all over the court. And offensively, you can basically just funnel O Case's offense into open lou Dort catch and shoot threes, and if he's missing those shots, which he's missing badly right now, he doesn't bring you anything else. Whereas Caruso can attack a close out, he can make plays as a driver, scoring or passing. So I am one hundred percent on that boat. And thank god that Dagnault went away from lou Dort and then he went to casein and Wiggins in Caruso because if he hadn't, I don't know if Oklahoma City wins this game. Like I thought that lou Dort was costing them offensively that much. But he did go to the right guys and they did step up. And I do want to give Shay credit because, like you said, man, this game was hard as shit for everybody to score. Shake comes up with nine big fourth quarter points. He had a couple of great downhill drives, He made a tough shot in isolation, he got to line a couple times. He made a nice swing pass when he drew two to Jadub who quickly attacked the gap, and he got a nice bucket versus the zone. Like he was a big reason that they were able to pull through late. And he was really phenomenal until the last two minutes when, like you said, I mean, he's just way too in love with the pull up three right now in those clutch spots. He is shooting twenty three percent from deep in these playoffs. Like I understand he just got a shot up, but.

I think he just needs to eliminate it from his diet right now, or take one or two a game. I mean, it's just if it's not going in, why would you keep shooting it?

I think he just needs to eliminate it from his diet right now, or take one or two a game. I mean, it's just if it's not going in, why would you keep shooting it?

And especially like if your legs are a little bit shaky, if you're a little bit tight, that's the last It's.

And especially like if your legs are a little bit shaky, if you're a little bit tight, that's the last It's.

Layton, I want you exactly, It's Layton game and you're tired, like you've already exerted yourself. That's going to be the toughest shot to make, and it's already. It's literally if we were to list every shot that SGA could make, it is the lowest shot on the total. It's like literally the last one I want from Shay.

Layton, I want you exactly, It's Layton game and you're tired, like you've already exerted yourself. That's going to be the toughest shot to make, and it's already. It's literally if we were to list every shot that SGA could make, it is the lowest shot on the total. It's like literally the last one I want from Shay.

It is. And the reason I think he's going to it so much is because he just wants to be able to get a shot up in isolation and he knows if he set foot inside that three point line, like there's gonna be multiple defenders coming his way. But that's fine, man, I mean, you can get a shot for somebody else. Stop forcing what has been by far your most inefficient shot. That was frustrating. I honestly liked it more when he pump faked and then spawn and stepped through and put up that like eighteen footer. Yeah, it was kind of a weird shot. It was better than the step back threes that are contested over and over again. But that's really my only gripe with him in this game, Like within the context how hard it was for everybody to score, how great the defense was, and how aggressive the coverages that he was seeing were, Like he was seeing to every single time he touched the ball, and he still gave you a decently efficient fifteen in the first half and was still more efficient than everybody else and puts up twenty five in this game. And I thought just really consistently made good decisions, Like I thought that he was getting off the ball much more quickly, he was moving it against the zone when he's getting doubled, and his teammates just couldn't capitalized for a vast majority of this game. But it wasn't like Game three, we're down the stretch. It's like, Shay, you're forcing bad shots, Like you need to be more selfless, you need to do a better job of diagnosing what you're seeing and creating for teammates. He was doing that throughout this game, and it was just really rough to watch his teammates for a while, but they came through in the end, and he certainly wasn't perfect, but like he was my far the best player on the floor in this game, and that was huge for ok.

It is. And the reason I think he's going to it so much is because he just wants to be able to get a shot up in isolation and he knows if he set foot inside that three point line, like there's gonna be multiple defenders coming his way. But that's fine, man, I mean, you can get a shot for somebody else. Stop forcing what has been by far your most inefficient shot. That was frustrating. I honestly liked it more when he pump faked and then spawn and stepped through and put up that like eighteen footer. Yeah, it was kind of a weird shot. It was better than the step back threes that are contested over and over again. But that's really my only gripe with him in this game, Like within the context how hard it was for everybody to score, how great the defense was, and how aggressive the coverages that he was seeing were, Like he was seeing to every single time he touched the ball, and he still gave you a decently efficient fifteen in the first half and was still more efficient than everybody else and puts up twenty five in this game. And I thought just really consistently made good decisions, Like I thought that he was getting off the ball much more quickly, he was moving it against the zone when he's getting doubled, and his teammates just couldn't capitalized for a vast majority of this game. But it wasn't like Game three, we're down the stretch. It's like, Shay, you're forcing bad shots, Like you need to be more selfless, you need to do a better job of diagnosing what you're seeing and creating for teammates. He was doing that throughout this game, and it was just really rough to watch his teammates for a while, but they came through in the end, and he certainly wasn't perfect, but like he was my far the best player on the floor in this game, and that was huge for ok.

See it was man when nobody else can get it going. Sometimes that's the difference. And I think we're in for I think we're in for some more really close games. I wouldn't be surprised if OKC got like one more blowout game versus Denver where they're shooting really hot. Denver has an off shooting night, Jokic is off. I'm still riding with OKC and seven. That was my prediction at the start of the series. And it really is this defense and why I believe in them. Man, if you like again, the biggest thing we said this last episode, we said this last two episodes. Now it's gonna be three when we've been talking about Nuggets thunder. But if Yokic isn't gonna be the best player on the floor, advantage JOKC Like you can fill in any other variable in Denver's And it's crazy because they have won two games in this series where Yokic has been less than the best player in the world and way lower than his standard.

See it was man when nobody else can get it going. Sometimes that's the difference. And I think we're in for I think we're in for some more really close games. I wouldn't be surprised if OKC got like one more blowout game versus Denver where they're shooting really hot. Denver has an off shooting night, Jokic is off. I'm still riding with OKC and seven. That was my prediction at the start of the series. And it really is this defense and why I believe in them. Man, if you like again, the biggest thing we said this last episode, we said this last two episodes. Now it's gonna be three when we've been talking about Nuggets thunder. But if Yokic isn't gonna be the best player on the floor, advantage JOKC Like you can fill in any other variable in Denver's And it's crazy because they have won two games in this series where Yokic has been less than the best player in the world and way lower than his standard.

I mean, Game one, he was incredible in the fourth quarter, he was ridiculous Game three, he was bad.

I mean, Game one, he was incredible in the fourth quarter, he was ridiculous Game three, he was bad.

I'm saying best player in the world, like Jokic level. Shit, We've got.

I'm saying best player in the world, like Jokic level. Shit, We've got.

Game one he had eighteen points on like ninety percentury shooting in the fourth quarter and he had forty two to twenty two and six or whatever. He wasn't perfect, but that.

Game one he had eighteen points on like ninety percentury shooting in the fourth quarter and he had forty two to twenty two and six or whatever. He wasn't perfect, but that.

We've gotten one game like that from Jokic, But we've gotten way more where he has played bad Yokic games. If we're gonna keep getting that, Okay, I can confidently say I think Oklahoma City's gonna win this series. So I think we're it's gonna go the distance. Both of these teams are. They're battling right now. Man, this has been one of my favorite series ever. But I just if Yokic is gonna keep staying like he doesn't look confident. Man, that's a difference to me. I've never seen Yokic look like this. It is he's concerning, he really.

We've gotten one game like that from Jokic, But we've gotten way more where he has played bad Yokic games. If we're gonna keep getting that, Okay, I can confidently say I think Oklahoma City's gonna win this series. So I think we're it's gonna go the distance. Both of these teams are. They're battling right now. Man, this has been one of my favorite series ever. But I just if Yokic is gonna keep staying like he doesn't look confident. Man, that's a difference to me. I've never seen Yokic look like this. It is he's concerning, he really.

Is, man, Jokic will play better. It's not possible for him to play worse than he has over these last three games, and like the shot making will just improve. But life isn't going to get meaningfully easier on him, Okay, Seas intensity isn't going to let up. Their game plan isn't going to change, like, they are going to continue to make life as hard on him every game as they can, and there will probably be a moment in a game where he rises above that and he does some crazy special shit like he did in the fourth quarter of Game one, But those stretches have been very few and far between in this series because outside of that one quarter, and you can give him the entirety of Game one like, it has been a whole lot of struggle for Yokic and that is not fundamentally changing. And that's because of okay ces defense man and just how ridiculously disruptive they are. So I do think that they are absolutely the better team. I mean, they've dictated a majority of this series. That being said, I don't think I would be encouraged by how this series has gone if I'm okay see, because they have really struggled against the zone last two games when Denver's gone to it a lot, Okasee is just putting up about point eight points per possession. That's ugly, that's rough. And I said throughout the year, well, I think that you'd be right to test okay C's ability to beat his own, but overall, they were actually a really good offense against zone. Now, when Dort looks totally uncomfortable taking open catch and shoot looks or he's bricking them and he's taking more shots from deep than anybody else on your team, like, that's a huge problem. Chet Holmgren love the guy to death. He does not look comfortable with shooting those threes off the catch right now, and he's leaving a lot of them flat in short, so I would be a little worried about that. I do think that Shay's decision making has been up and down in this It was good in this game, so that is encouraging. But again, the ability of some of his teammates to attack the zone was not super pretty in this game. It was really rough for a lot of it. So I would probably be like concerned about some of the offensive issues. At the same time, I would just feel even better about my defense somehow than I did coming in, and like it would just affirm how great they are. I do need more consistency out of Chet and Jadab though, because Chet, like again, his offense is gonna mostly come to him within the flow of the game, but he has to be able to knock down those looks off the catch. And Jadub, who was just phenomenal in Game three, was atrocious offensively in this game. His defensive first quarter was just about the best defensive quarter I've seen from anybody in these playoffs. Probably only his buddy Alex Caruso could top it. I mean, he was wreaking havoc. But so many out of control drives, so many forced shots, and when Jadub has been off like he wasn't Game one and like he was in this one, that's been the theme. It's been forcing some of those really tough shots in the lane. That's where I think he's gotta let the game come to him a little bit more. And I think he's got to look to be a playmaker more right, try to collapse the defense and then make a read and find a teammate instead of just forcing the issue in the paint. So I do want to see those two be better. At the same time, I'm talking about how much credit we have to give to okc's defense. We have to give so much credit to Denver's defense, and when they are defending like this, they are very clearly the second best team in the West, which is very funny logan, because like, this is what I dreamt of for them all year. Man, ninety percent of the year. I said, once Denver figures it out defensively, once they get serious on that side of the ball, they'll be the second best team in the West. And it just never happened in the regular season, and I started to really lose hope that it was gonna happen, especially over like that last month, and then they fire Malone and it just felt like the wheel were coming off, and instead they rallied in such a big way and they are playing maybe the best defense I've ever seen from them in these playoffs, Like it might be better than it was in the twenty twenty three title run. Either way, it's absolutely at that level at least, and it's so impressive. They are locked in on the zone. They are shrinking the shit out of the floor. They are still consistently giving great closeouts, so like they are forcing a lot of these OKC shooters, especially in the first half, this was the case to either shoot against good closeouts or put the ball on the floor. And then they're just having to deal with this zone again where they're seeing a bunch of bodies, They're not going to get a clean drive into the paint. So now they have to diagnose it again. They have to make the read, they have to make a kickout pass, and then that teammate's gonna draw a hard close out. Like everybody around. Shay was really uncomfortable against this defense, which is a problem for Okase's offense. But it also just speaks to how great Denver's defense has been in the fact that they haven't allowed anybody on Okac to be comfortable. And like, when Denver is defending like this, that's when they're a title contender. That's when they're a top five team in basketball. So it is impressive that Okac was able to pull this one out because Denver defensively is playing at a level that is so so far above anything they did in the regular season.

Is, man, Jokic will play better. It's not possible for him to play worse than he has over these last three games, and like the shot making will just improve. But life isn't going to get meaningfully easier on him, Okay, Seas intensity isn't going to let up. Their game plan isn't going to change, like, they are going to continue to make life as hard on him every game as they can, and there will probably be a moment in a game where he rises above that and he does some crazy special shit like he did in the fourth quarter of Game one, But those stretches have been very few and far between in this series because outside of that one quarter, and you can give him the entirety of Game one like, it has been a whole lot of struggle for Yokic and that is not fundamentally changing. And that's because of okay ces defense man and just how ridiculously disruptive they are. So I do think that they are absolutely the better team. I mean, they've dictated a majority of this series. That being said, I don't think I would be encouraged by how this series has gone if I'm okay see, because they have really struggled against the zone last two games when Denver's gone to it a lot, Okasee is just putting up about point eight points per possession. That's ugly, that's rough. And I said throughout the year, well, I think that you'd be right to test okay C's ability to beat his own, but overall, they were actually a really good offense against zone. Now, when Dort looks totally uncomfortable taking open catch and shoot looks or he's bricking them and he's taking more shots from deep than anybody else on your team, like, that's a huge problem. Chet Holmgren love the guy to death. He does not look comfortable with shooting those threes off the catch right now, and he's leaving a lot of them flat in short, so I would be a little worried about that. I do think that Shay's decision making has been up and down in this It was good in this game, so that is encouraging. But again, the ability of some of his teammates to attack the zone was not super pretty in this game. It was really rough for a lot of it. So I would probably be like concerned about some of the offensive issues. At the same time, I would just feel even better about my defense somehow than I did coming in, and like it would just affirm how great they are. I do need more consistency out of Chet and Jadab though, because Chet, like again, his offense is gonna mostly come to him within the flow of the game, but he has to be able to knock down those looks off the catch. And Jadub, who was just phenomenal in Game three, was atrocious offensively in this game. His defensive first quarter was just about the best defensive quarter I've seen from anybody in these playoffs. Probably only his buddy Alex Caruso could top it. I mean, he was wreaking havoc. But so many out of control drives, so many forced shots, and when Jadub has been off like he wasn't Game one and like he was in this one, that's been the theme. It's been forcing some of those really tough shots in the lane. That's where I think he's gotta let the game come to him a little bit more. And I think he's got to look to be a playmaker more right, try to collapse the defense and then make a read and find a teammate instead of just forcing the issue in the paint. So I do want to see those two be better. At the same time, I'm talking about how much credit we have to give to okc's defense. We have to give so much credit to Denver's defense, and when they are defending like this, they are very clearly the second best team in the West, which is very funny logan, because like, this is what I dreamt of for them all year. Man, ninety percent of the year. I said, once Denver figures it out defensively, once they get serious on that side of the ball, they'll be the second best team in the West. And it just never happened in the regular season, and I started to really lose hope that it was gonna happen, especially over like that last month, and then they fire Malone and it just felt like the wheel were coming off, and instead they rallied in such a big way and they are playing maybe the best defense I've ever seen from them in these playoffs, Like it might be better than it was in the twenty twenty three title run. Either way, it's absolutely at that level at least, and it's so impressive. They are locked in on the zone. They are shrinking the shit out of the floor. They are still consistently giving great closeouts, so like they are forcing a lot of these OKC shooters, especially in the first half, this was the case to either shoot against good closeouts or put the ball on the floor. And then they're just having to deal with this zone again where they're seeing a bunch of bodies, They're not going to get a clean drive into the paint. So now they have to diagnose it again. They have to make the read, they have to make a kickout pass, and then that teammate's gonna draw a hard close out. Like everybody around. Shay was really uncomfortable against this defense, which is a problem for Okase's offense. But it also just speaks to how great Denver's defense has been in the fact that they haven't allowed anybody on Okac to be comfortable. And like, when Denver is defending like this, that's when they're a title contender. That's when they're a top five team in basketball. So it is impressive that Okac was able to pull this one out because Denver defensively is playing at a level that is so so far above anything they did in the regular season.

Yeah, it just it's just not enough, man.

Yeah, it just it's just not enough, man.

Yeah, well it's certainly not enough if Jokic is gonna struggle like this. Like, I think Okac is better and way more.

Yeah, well it's certainly not enough if Jokic is gonna struggle like this. Like, I think Okac is better and way more.

I think the one area I do think they can be way better at and this wasn't as big of an issue in this game, but late the straight line drives, man, and there's just a few instances even in the zone. It wasn't a lot in this game, but Sga got a few easy buckets. I felt like Jadab had won where he got right to the hoop.

I think the one area I do think they can be way better at and this wasn't as big of an issue in this game, but late the straight line drives, man, and there's just a few instances even in the zone. It wasn't a lot in this game, but Sga got a few easy buckets. I felt like Jadab had won where he got right to the hoop.

Well, Jadab did have a great one, but that's because they basically had two one SGA and he immediately attacked off the off the catch and he was driving right into that gap. So that was a great take. I think the extent to which they have made life hard on OKAC is outstanding, Like considering what I thought they would be capable of defensively coming into these playoffs, there's not a critical word I could say about Denver's defense in this series outside of not trying basically in game two.

Well, Jadab did have a great one, but that's because they basically had two one SGA and he immediately attacked off the off the catch and he was driving right into that gap. So that was a great take. I think the extent to which they have made life hard on OKAC is outstanding, Like considering what I thought they would be capable of defensively coming into these playoffs, there's not a critical word I could say about Denver's defense in this series outside of not trying basically in game two.

I'm really impressed with Denver's defense, but I do think it's gonna bounce back in Okac's favor. I think they're due for a better shooting game. They have to be right, yeah, yeah, right, Like it has to balance itself out. So I'm impressed with Denver, but I kind of have a feeling that OKAC is gonna break through one of these next couple games.

I'm really impressed with Denver's defense, but I do think it's gonna bounce back in Okac's favor. I think they're due for a better shooting game. They have to be right, yeah, yeah, right, Like it has to balance itself out. So I'm impressed with Denver, but I kind of have a feeling that OKAC is gonna break through one of these next couple games.

I agree, and that's why I said, like Denver has to get all of the clutch games to have a real chance to win this series, that's where they're gonna win. So to lose one of those is so costly. And for OKAC to win one of those, they have to feel really good about. And even though the offense was rough overall, to like be the team that pulls through and has the better process in the clutch and in the fourth quarter, I think they have to feel really good about. We do have a donation, thank you very much from klout. Did Aaron Wigan save basketball? Absolutely? As he does every time he sets foot on the floor, like shout out to him, And I mean, he was so big. They need to play him absolutely, and I think that he and Casin and Caruso they are the heroes of this game. We already talked about Caruso over Dort, but I just don't think you can hammer home enough how special Okase's depth is in how much they need to be willing to use it. Like if lou is going to shoot twenty five percent from three, you have the depth to go away from him, and you have so many good options and you should absolutely do so, especially Caruso because he's just also a freakish defensive player. And Cason is a great defensive player. And if these guys are going to give you way more offensive value, just go with them. Because Caseen is also certainly a much more versatile offensive player in terms of his decision making as a passer. He's a good driver and finisher. So they should absolutely rely on those guys. If there's one other role player who I just want to shout out, it's Jay Will. I just think he's done a nice job on Yolkic in his minutes, and I think that he's made some shots for them, and he's been impressive. They just have such a ridiculously good team.

I agree, and that's why I said, like Denver has to get all of the clutch games to have a real chance to win this series, that's where they're gonna win. So to lose one of those is so costly. And for OKAC to win one of those, they have to feel really good about. And even though the offense was rough overall, to like be the team that pulls through and has the better process in the clutch and in the fourth quarter, I think they have to feel really good about. We do have a donation, thank you very much from klout. Did Aaron Wigan save basketball? Absolutely? As he does every time he sets foot on the floor, like shout out to him, And I mean, he was so big. They need to play him absolutely, and I think that he and Casin and Caruso they are the heroes of this game. We already talked about Caruso over Dort, but I just don't think you can hammer home enough how special Okase's depth is in how much they need to be willing to use it. Like if lou is going to shoot twenty five percent from three, you have the depth to go away from him, and you have so many good options and you should absolutely do so, especially Caruso because he's just also a freakish defensive player. And Cason is a great defensive player. And if these guys are going to give you way more offensive value, just go with them. Because Caseen is also certainly a much more versatile offensive player in terms of his decision making as a passer. He's a good driver and finisher. So they should absolutely rely on those guys. If there's one other role player who I just want to shout out, it's Jay Will. I just think he's done a nice job on Yolkic in his minutes, and I think that he's made some shots for them, and he's been impressive. They just have such a ridiculously good team.

You can't believe that didn't punish them more for running j Will man. That seems like that would be the exploitable guy, but they haven't been able to do it. It's it's really surprising.

You can't believe that didn't punish them more for running j Will man. That seems like that would be the exploitable guy, but they haven't been able to do it. It's it's really surprising.

Yeah, I don't like it when they go Jay Will as the lone big, but when he's playing with Chet, then I do like it because you can have a guy who's at least a pretty big body in j Will. I mean he's undersized for a center, but he's thick, and then you have Jet still on the back line. So I think if that's been a good look for them. The other area in which they have really impressed me is their ability to dictate the glass in several of these games. Like I talked about after Game one, this one really showed us where these teams have advantages, Like, okay see, he's gonna win consistently in transition, they're gonna consistently win the turnover battle. Denver going to win the battle on the glass. That hasn't been the case. Okay see has just been so quick to the ball. Hartenstein and Chet have been really good on the boards, and they've been able to win that battle, which is significant because they're just generating a lot more chances. And it's crazy how poorly they've shot the ball from deep. What are they shooting from three in this series, Logan, I'm looking it up right now. They are shooting thirty two percent. But that's all because of Game two. Like outside of that, I mean, it's been a lot of really rushing Night's. Game one, they shot okay, but the last two games.

Yeah, I don't like it when they go Jay Will as the lone big, but when he's playing with Chet, then I do like it because you can have a guy who's at least a pretty big body in j Will. I mean he's undersized for a center, but he's thick, and then you have Jet still on the back line. So I think if that's been a good look for them. The other area in which they have really impressed me is their ability to dictate the glass in several of these games. Like I talked about after Game one, this one really showed us where these teams have advantages, Like, okay see, he's gonna win consistently in transition, they're gonna consistently win the turnover battle. Denver going to win the battle on the glass. That hasn't been the case. Okay see has just been so quick to the ball. Hartenstein and Chet have been really good on the boards, and they've been able to win that battle, which is significant because they're just generating a lot more chances. And it's crazy how poorly they've shot the ball from deep. What are they shooting from three in this series, Logan, I'm looking it up right now. They are shooting thirty two percent. But that's all because of Game two. Like outside of that, I mean, it's been a lot of really rushing Night's. Game one, they shot okay, but the last two games.

I mean, this is three point shooting team in basketball in the regular season.

I mean, this is three point shooting team in basketball in the regular season.

Since January first. Since January first, they were tops of the league. And it definitely has not been the case in this series, and again, a lot of those guys don't really feel comfortable taking the shots, so you have to go with the guys who are comfortable taking the shots. This is a massive win for Oklahoma City and it wasn't pretty. And like I said, I wouldn't feel better about the Thunder than I did coming into this series, Like I think that their flaws have looked more significant than I thought coming into it. But I would also say like the only team who probably really feels encouraged right now with how the second round is going is the Indiana Pacers. I think Boston would be disappointed with their performance, even like the Timberwolves being up to one, did they feel good about how they've played with Steph out for all but twelve minutes of this series. Like No, I wouldn't say so. And because of their special defensive foundation. I do believe in the Thunder so much and is a huge one man. I mean, this feels like the game that swings the series Game four, knowing that OKAC has more of the ability to win one of these last few games convincingly, knowing how important the clutch games are and how shaky OKAC had looked there and how good Denver had looked there like that. Being reversed is so significant for so many reasons, so it's just a massive win for them. Enough on that game. We talked about that one for forty minutes, but an MF had a lot to say. I absolutely love that series and this was another epic installment. We're gonna take a quick break, then we are gonna talk about the Pacers demolishing the Cavs after some quick words from DraftKings. The NBA eighty two game grind is done and now the real fun begins. The NBA Playoffs are here and it's time for all the high stakes drama, clutch moments, and jaw dropping plays. I can't wait. If you're looking to make the playoffs even more exciting, DraftKings Sportsbook has you covered as an official sports betting partner of the NBA from the playing games all the way through to the finals. Now's the time to back your favorite players and teams as they chase glory All season long.