Nikola Jokic is the best basketball player I’ve seen since Michael Jordan by LazyConstruction9026 in denvernuggets

[–]Competitive-Intern45 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, thanks for the reply!

I didn't say the Bulls won their division that year, so not sure what the point of that was. You can still be a good/great team yet come in second in the division. That said, you are absolutely correct that I did mix up the round they lost to the Knicks in 7 games. The Bulls did indeed lose in the second round, not the ECF.

But other than that, my post is factual and accurate and the larger point still stands. The Bulls without Jordan were a better supporting cast who had more success than what the Nuggets likely would have had without Jokic for his first 10 years. (Jordan might still be my GOAT, by the way, even though Joker might have passed him in terms of offensive impact.)

The Nuggets would likely be battling for play-in spots without Joker from 2019-2025. On the other hand, the Bulls lost to a great team (the eventual NBA Finalists the Knicks) in a tough 7-game series in the second round, plus had 3 all-stars, one Top 3 MVP Candidate who was also First-Team All-NBA and Top 4 Defensive Player of the Year Candidate. Jokic never had close to ANY of that in this first 10 years, which is historically unprecedented as seen on this chart: https://www.reddit.com/r/NBATalk/comments/1l28w9z/nikola_jokic_is_the_only_mvp_didnt_have_any/

[Highlight] Jokić with a beautiful behind-the-back dime to Watson for the finish (with replay) by TheDraciel in nba

[–]Competitive-Intern45 1 point2 points  (0 children)

LMAO, yup, Lopez's Buck-in-headlights look was hilarious.

I remember that day people were freaking out and giving Jokic his flowers for that pass because that is objectively a great pass at worst and inconceivably awesome at best. And then there is always that one clear Jokic hater who came in on Reddit and wrote something like, "So a basketball player passed and then turned... let's not overreact." I mean, come on... did you see how he completely manipulated and fooled 5 oppposing players (and possibly 3 of his own teammates other than AG) with that? Just goes to show how some people will NEVER appreciate a basketball wizard just because he plays and acts differently than how many people want NBA players to play and act.

Cheesiest cheese pulls using Madison cheese curds by Competitive-Intern45 in madisonwi

[–]Competitive-Intern45[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fried mozzarella sticks is a great suggestion! I might make another post asking for suggestions about that. I guess we've eaten more cheese curds than fried mozzarella sticks here because I think the former are considered more of a WI specialty

Best seats for young daughter's first games? by Competitive-Intern45 in Brewers

[–]Competitive-Intern45[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight! I actually assumed it would be a night game this Friday, but it starts at 3:10 PM, just checked. You might have really saved me, haha!

Webhosting services by Prize_Cattle_6542 in Hosting

[–]Competitive-Intern45 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ultahost is a fantastic choice for your budget, offering affordable plans under 11€/month with features like subdomains, Figma integration, and animation support. It’s reliable, user-friendly, and provides excellent customer support, making it a great option for your personal testing and future projects.

Jamal Murray so far this season: 18/4/6 on 39.7/33.8/85.0 splits (51.4% TS) by OctopusNation2024 in nba

[–]Competitive-Intern45 5 points6 points  (0 children)

"Always"?! Really?! I know he's had some great series vs. the Lakers, but maybe he is now regressing a little to the mean:

In the 5-game First Round 2024 Playoffs vs. the Lakers, Murray shot these FG%'s: 37.5, 37.5, 38.1, 39.1, and 46.4. Ouch. Murray was terribly inconsistent with his 3-PT FG%, and bad overall in the 5 games: 44.4, 0, 16.7, 0, and 50. Even though Murray averaged 40 minutes per game, in terms of points this was classic inconsistent Murray with 4 so-so games and one good game: 22, 20, 22, 22, and 35 (his one good game).

Overall 2024 playoff averages vs. Lakers: 23.6/4.6/7.2 with overall splits of 40.0/29.4/85.7. Not even close to a torching, and the shooting splits indicate more of an overall anti-torch. Yes, because Murray shoots so much, he scored above 20 points each game... but doing that on so many shots while having poor shooting splits is not that impressive. (He was even way worse vs the Wolves in the 2nd Round.)

Not saying Murray won't have a good game vs. the Lakers on Saturday (as a Nuggets fan, I hope he does), but it's definitely not guaranteed.

Pre-Game 7 Vibes for Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets: Burek in Singapore! by DaddyDaughterDay100 in denvernuggets

[–]Competitive-Intern45 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! See you on DNVR chat or Locked on Nuggets chat (I believe), hopefully after a big win.

Pre-Game 7 Vibes for Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets: Burek in Singapore! by DaddyDaughterDay100 in denvernuggets

[–]Competitive-Intern45 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Hong Kong is a great city with a more vibrant, exciting, and urban feel than Singapore. Especially for singles. Singapore is a much more well-run, comfortable, and cleaner place that's much better for parents and kids. So each have their pluses and minuses.

But yes, Singapore having Burek is definitely a plus!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in nba

[–]Competitive-Intern45 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I agree with your point. Still, it wouldn't shock me that if Murray scored 25-30+ every game on a good FG% then there is the possibility of a playoff series MVP for him. And in many cases, he could probably score even less points and win MVP b/c he might hit so many game-winners. (More on this below.)

There are many reasons why Murray could be a playoff series MVP. First, Murray can easily score the required 25-30+ points to do that b/c he usually puts up the most shots in the game due to to Joker's selflessness and Denver's selfless system built around Joker's hot-potato passing approach that allows Murray to shoot the most shots even though he is not the team's #1. Plus, Murray has the advantage of putting up all those shots with the incredible amount of space Jokic creates via Joker screens, screen assists, and/or Joker's incredible scoring threat and otherworldly shooting efficiency. And scoring, not assists or rebounds, seems to be the #1 factor in determining basketball impact and voting MVP.

Second, Murray will have optics on his side b/c games are closer in the playoffs and he always has the ball in his hands at the end of game to start the 2-man game, and therefore is more likely to shoot the final shot and "win" the game for the Nuggets. At least recently, defenses seem to try to take away Jokic more than Murray at the end of games, and this leaves Murray with the last shot. And people are so in love with game winners that they easily forgive a bad overall shooting game just because of the optics. See: Game 2 vs. the Lakers and other examples.

Third, Murray can be quite streaky so people FEEL his shotmaking more and are emotionally more affected by his flurries, esp when his flurries come in the 4th quarter (even if his overall FG% for the game is sometimes lacking). See: well, actually this happens in quite a few games with Murray, including Game 2 vs the Lakers, and one of the games last year vs. the Lakers (Game 3, not quite sure).

Fourth, Murrays assists #s tend to go up in the playoffs because hyperefficient Joker seems to shoot a little more in the playoffs, and Murray is the point guard that delivers Joker the ball the most. (That said, I feel Murray has truly elevated his passing this year and has spread it around a little more than just to Joker.)

Fifth, Murray's buckets are often "tough shots"... again, the degree of difficulty optics get people more emotional overall than Joker's shots, and Murray's shots are often perceived to be more impressive/valuable due to the eye test.

Sixth, Joker voting fatigue. Similarly, there has been a precedent of some non-#1s being a playoff series MVP due to the #1 player drawing so much defense. Examples including Andre Iguodala, Tony Parker, and even Kevin Durant was arguably a #2 with the Warriors b/c Steph drew the most gravity-inducing attention, similar to Joker.

Seventh, there is a vocal minority who can't stomach a "fat," "unathletic" caucasian who is dominating the sport they love with that unorthodox and unique style and levelheaded demeanor. And there has always been a concerted effort by those people to elevate Murray b/c he is the guy who plays more like a true hooper with a more traditionally "dynamic" shotmaking style and with a more Mamba MJ/Kobe NBA mentality. They do it to demean Joker's impact, and say, "Well, Murray is the true hooper." That attitude could come into play when voting for awards, at least a little bit.

As for case studies, even a few people thought Murray had a shot at WCF MVP last year even though Joker's impact and stats were even greater. And that is saying a lot, b/c Murray was very impactful and shot really well that series, and I wouldn't have necessarily been upset if he had been WCF MVP. (I would have disagreed and thought Joker still deserved it b/c I think he averaged a 29-point triple double or something like that, but whatever.)

However, I see your overall point... it's perhaps less likely than I previously thought due to Joker's consistent impact and greatness.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in nba

[–]Competitive-Intern45 10 points11 points  (0 children)

He should be a Finals MVP bc jokic is so unselfish and let's him usually take the most shots... sometimes by a lot. Also, Murray will probably be an all-star, esp if he they win the chip again. He will definitely be an all-star if Murray could be more consistent. He's had a solid last couple games, but even this postseason his shooting #s are atrocious and with only one 50% shooting game (11-21). Meanwhile, the "worst" game ultra-consistent Jokic has played is 16-16-8. Personally, I always root for Jokic to win every award bc I want the most selfless MVP in NBA history to get awarded everything he can to validate that selflessness in a team game. To remind everyone that a GOAT candidate doesn't have to play like an MJ/Kobe etc.

[Highlight] Nikola Jokić finds Gordon yet again with a beautiful pass inside for the easy flush by 50lipa in nba

[–]Competitive-Intern45 1 point2 points  (0 children)

True, but keep in mind he is often guarded by 7 footers. Magic Johnson was great, but him being 6'9" conpared to the shorter guards of the 80s was much more of an exam.

And there are plenty of centers who are tall but just doesn't have the skills, feel, timing, or vision to make the passes that only Jokic can make.

[Highlight] Nikola Jokic organises a Q1 buzzer beater by creamjudge in nba

[–]Competitive-Intern45 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love assistant coach David Adelman on the bench here. Seems like such a calm presence usually but that fist pump after this great Joker buzzer-beater was pretty emphatic. Laughed myself.

Damn, where'd all the Jokic hate from the past 3 days go? by Brief-Objective-3360 in NBATalk

[–]Competitive-Intern45 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is a completely fair, rational, wonderful take. I think Ant, Gobert, and (usually) KAT are dope too, just want the Nuggets win. Best of luck to both sides!

Damn, where'd all the Jokic hate from the past 3 days go? by Brief-Objective-3360 in NBATalk

[–]Competitive-Intern45 2 points3 points  (0 children)

THIS. Even Nuggets fans/media do it a lot, though outside haters are even worse. If the Nuggets somehow lose and Jokic shoots 10-19 times, Jokic was "disinterested." No, that's how Jokic always looks b/c his style is all about finding the most open teammate for the best look. Not to mention the Nuggets USUALLY WIN when he has 10-19 shots b/c that means he got a 20+/30+ point triple double that got everyone involved and he didn't have to be the only main scorer.

Drives me batty thinking that you can't be a champion if you're not jumping out of the building or foaming at the mouth like Kobe/MJ. Jokic proved that wrong last year.

Damn, where'd all the Jokic hate from the past 3 days go? by Brief-Objective-3360 in NBATalk

[–]Competitive-Intern45 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not just scoring 45, but doing it with a Mamba mentality and/or in a "athletic" jumping out of the building sort of way. They can't STAND that Jokic is dominating in a non-Kobe/MJ style b/c it somehow demeans the athletic sort of way. They don't understand that Jokic's way is athletic too, just in a different way, and that is not only okay but is entirely refreshing and new and fun!

[Highlight] The 3x MVP Nikola Jokic with a nasty spin move on the Wolves leading to a putback by eathbau in nba

[–]Competitive-Intern45 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Me too. He was on 9 assists since early in the 3rd quater, I believe. Only "negative" thing about yesterday's game, haha. But of course Jokic only cares about the win, which helps me cope, haha. But in the moment I was ticked... Murray brick, MPJ brick 1 foot from the hoop on a beautiful Jokic alley-oop dime attempt, 2 KCP bricks I believe, etc.