He was only going somewhere with a guarantee to start, which almost no team was going to give him. Lakers should have offered him a deal but the Nuggets couldn't offer a starting role
@@drewp839 wouldn’t say that because that’s been a thing where certain teams were contenders because the best player on that team was just that good and also come playoff time we’ve seen many series where 1 player basically carried their team to the win. Easy example is 2018 Cavs: Lebron James.
@@BRYxMONTANA I think with the talent of the league a team can’t just be carried like that anymore. As great as Jokic is, that front office put him in an impossible situation
@@drewp839bro Luka just did it. Not on the same level but he still was carrying Dallas. Kyrie had a lot up and downs and Luka literally carried them and made Washington, lively and Gafford look like solid players
I think you don’t realize how good of a signing was Hartenshein and getting Caruso! Caruso is basically Derrick White level of player already on top of SGA, Jalen Williams and Chester!
Idk, that OKC Dallas series was very close. If SGA didn't foul at the end to give PJ Washington 3 free throws, OKC would have won, and had game 7 at home. Also, we know the NBA is a copy cat League. The Celtics cracked the code on how to stop that Dallas Offense. Stuff like Putting Tatum on Gafford/Lively and not giving up the corner 3s... I think OKC has the personnel now that can run those type of schemes.
The problem is more the consistancy Guys like MPJ and Gordon can give you an easy 20 points on a good night with insane shooting and Murray can also give you easy 30+ points but they only play good half of the time That's why Nuggets lost game 7 to the Wolves cuz outside of Murray and Jokic everyone was trash
@@RealMrSmileStop that. Murray is garbage. He is only good against the Lakers, just like MPJ. He was lackluster these playoffs. Look at his Olympics games this year. 5.7 points on 33.3% shooting from the field, making only 1 of 10 3-pointers (10%) in 11.6 minutes per game. He fell off hard after that championship and is no longer worth 156 million. He didn't sign an extension, hoping to shine in the Olympics and negotiate a bigger contract but it backfired. The only good and consistent player of that team is Jokic. He won a championship with a team that didn't even have one All Star player other than him.
@@akirosakuragi9279 I completely agree with you. They are not playing like MAX players, especially in the playoffs. Everybody is talking about chemistry between Jokic and Jamal. I bet 80% of point-guards would have chemistry with Jokic, as he will always find you. He makes Jamal and everybody around him better. Look at the Jamal stats in the Olympics and you will see it straight away. I got badly downvoted for this opinion in Nuggets subreddit. :/
Nuggets just have so many more holes than they did in the title run, they're always gonna be contenders if jokic is there but they're significantly worse
They were a very thin team and they let a starter walk because their owner is cheap. Now they're paper thin and 2 of their top 3 players are injury prone. I really don't see the nuggets getting even a top 3 seed atp with how bad their depth is.
@@donjuan8402 People talk about the second apron like it's the fucking boogeyman, they don't even know what the restrictions are/aren't. What change exactly are the nuggets making right now to make them better that they wouldn't be able to make in the second apron? Literally the only thing letting KCP walk allowed them to do was sign Dario Saric, a player who was unplayable in the regular season for the 10th seeded warriors.
@@ifailatblackops1 Yes, that's exactly what Denver need. Russ hogging the ball, padding stats for triple doubles. That's going to bring them back to Finals, no doubt.
The cap isn't just scary for the owners because they don't want to pay out of pocket anymore. The restrictions for going over the second apron cripple a team's ability to make any kind of improvement or move in general.
@@CrazyxEnigma I keep seeing people saying this but the restrictions really aren't allat compared to losing KCP for nothing. And it's not like they can make some improvement below the second apron right now that would get them someone with even half the value of KCP.
@@a3per818 Letting KCP walk for nothing was a bad move that I agree with, my comment was specifically in reference to op saying "who cares about the cap when you have Jokic." It's more important now than ever before and makes building teams, and potential dynasties, much more difficult.
@@CrazyxEnigma yeah the cap matters more than ever for sure. But it also gives owners an excuse to be cheap and make bad basketball moves for money saving (like letting KCP walk).
People acting like Braun is a lock for the starting SG, but people who pay attention know Malone said this summer it’s up in the air. Could be Strawther, Watson, or Braun. Each option would be good. I do want to see Watson in that role though.
@@gnomechomsky2524 If Watson can shoot decently from 3 I'm all in with him starting at sg. He's tall, good defensively and if he can shoot decently from 3? That's a really good starter
@@CarnagexSena watson has a decent midrange game too, and is not a bad passer either. best defender and athlete of the three, even better than Braun. KCP put up like 10 PPG in that role and hit like 1-2 threes a game. Watson can definitely do that. Braun might be able to but he’s not as good on offense, doesn’t really have a bag. Strawther could be a revelation though.
@@gnomechomsky2524 I'm a 76ers fan and I think he can be like Oubre. Good defensively, 6'7 so almost just as tall as Watson and kinda streaky as a shooter but really good at cutting and slashing. Idk much about Strawther though what can you say about him
Nuggets needed Murray and MPJ to be all-star level. They paid them like all-stars. They have only shown glimpses of that level though. They have been way too inconsistent.
I have no doubts in my mind that this team will be scary. but their biggest concern is still glaring imo. that depth is still a serious issue imo. i do like the addition of Dario but the lose of KCP & and the addition of russ is just a downgrade truthfully. i can only hope that the young guys on that roster make a huge leap this year
Russ plays a lot like Bruce Brown, not as good of a shooter but does 90% of what Brown did. Plus he’s a big energy guy which the nuggets need. He’s a huge addition. You’ll see.
@@gnomechomsky2524 Lmao my man says Russ plays a lot like Bruce Brown.... Bruce Brown could actually shoot. Russ is beyond diabolical as a shooter and is an offensive liability.
This comments section is full of overreacting idiots. The Nuggets have just as good of a chance of winning the West as any of these other teams (OKC, DAL, MIN, etc.).
But that's the thing, if Murray was as good as he was in 2023 and if KCP and Bruce Brown were still there the Nuggets would be clear cut favorites and now they are not
The Nuggets will contend, but they will get over the hump if they get Porter and Nnaji make their salaries count and hope that Watson continues his growth. As for Murray, he will recover but there's only so much he will be able to do. Having Russ will help as there is at least another shot creator for the non-Jokic minutes. They will make at the very least the sixth seed.
crazy to type this and hit enter but jokic actually has to go to the next level for them to win again. MPJ's terrible contract, jamal's very inconsistent play (his game 7 against the t-wolves was actually very mid - incredible first half that was mega dragged down by a game-losing second half), and CB clearly not being a 5th man yet (no hate, just needs 2 more years of growth to be starter potential). it's just not there with this squad at this level. can jokic go to gear 12? absolutely
They CANNOT max Murray. He’s clearly not that good anymore, and on top of overpaying MPJ and having to overpay Gordon, they’ll be even more cooked than they already are
"not that good anymore" based on what? One bad playoff series and an underwhelming Olympics? Not saying he's deserving of the max, but let's not act like a 27 y/o guard has just completely fallen off as a player
I mean let me be real here jokic can get this team to a top 6 seeding but this west the roster westbrook needing to be a integral part this team could miss it if things swing bad for em
I like that bench unit of russ, strawther, pwat, Saric, and Zeke coudl of been Dayron Holmes too that was a tough blow. I think if they can make a small move or big one at the deadline they’re gonna suprise people this year
I’m more curious who’s gonna ask out first; Luka or jokic. If the mavs or nuggets have an early post season exit you’re going to HEAR A TON of “ are they gonna team up” talk
The thing you missed with Dallas is they have the opportunity to pair Gafford at center with Lively at PF for stretches. They wouldn't want to do it too much because they play with so much energy when they have limited minutes, but nobody in the NBA has a better defensive 1-2 than that lineup. If they could get a real power forward to split time with Washington (or even replace him if Klay & Marshall turn out to be a great SF duo), that right there is the most talented team in the NBA (they already might be). If it's Washington and Kleber at PF then they'll struggle against the best centers.
If MPJ and Murray play at the level they are paying them, they can win another title. They haven’t played this well though. Murray was amazing in 2023 title run. But he and MPJ were awful in the playoffs last year
The Nuggets are not contenders, Jamal was supposed to sign his deal and didn't. He is going to be upset the entire year about that the same as Klay, he will be asked about the extension not happening every time he talks to media. This is going to be a huge distraction, and really if you're the Nuggets why give this dude 200 million when he might be on his literal last legs
@@playcost It doesn't matter his age he has the injury history of a 36 year old and doesn't seem to be healing as effectively. You can't be a contender when each year you lost your 5th best player and your number 2 decline. It would be lovely for Murray to have it finally click and never get injured again, but its just unlikely. They lost to the wolves partly because he was awful. He wasn't even good against the Lakers outside of two shots at the end of games. Also IQ got way overpaid. No idea why toronto paid that, but they have their own bigger issues than the nuggets
They lost all the - ‘minimum as was’ - bench talent & size they had & that already cost them vs the Wolves last year… no bench. No size. Now no starting SG and Westbrook is getting paid more than Jackson after he left… Denver is small, shallow bench, and screwed and I LOVE watching Denver play. Best starters in the league by far even without KCP…
They aren't contenders because they have Russell Westbrook. Any playoff team in the Year of our Lord 2024 still playing Westbrook has zero title hopes and shouldn't be taken seriously.
@@BestShootermanUbz Yeah, but Murray can be good. We've seen it recently. MPJ can be good as well. But Westbrook? Westbrook stopped being a meaningful playoff contributor 7 years ago.
As long as they have Jokic they will always be a contender but over the years they have lost some key players. MPJ needs to step up along with their other role players like Buarn and Watson and Westbrook should help coming off the bench. If their roles players step up then Denver is going to be fine
Losing a quality vet starter and expecting a young guy that has shown a medium amount of potential to step into that role is a dangerous gamble for a contender. Starting Braun and having a bench of Westbrook, Strawther, Watson, Saric, ?(Hunter Tyson/Cancar?) makes Denver one of the least deep teams in the league. Compare that to Dallas' bench: Gafford, Marshall, Grimes, Kleber, Exum, Dinwiddie, Hardy. Denver's top 4 is as good as anyone's but you need 7-8 guys you can 100% trust in the playoffs and they don't have that.
In my opinion Calvin Boothe is a great GM and great basketball mind. We haven’t seen his vision have a chance to play out until now. From all accounts CB looks like a beast this offseason. This is a huge year for him and Watson. Strawther gonna surprise a lot of people. KCP wasn’t playing very well in the playoffs and his time was getting stale. I’m seeing a lot of overreactions.
They were barely contenders last year, their roster had no depth and now they don’t even have a starting lineup. That front office should be fired for what they are doing to jokic’s prime
@@dontaerogers2687 they lost in the second round, the jazz were never contenders but they were the 1 seed. You can’t win with 4 good nba players 1 decent bench player and bums
@@drewp839because Dallas get to the final with who? You think Dallas has a better starter lineup, or Minnesota are you on drugs or something? Just saying 😂
The only West teams i'm scared of for the nuggets are the Twolves and the Thunder. I think Dallas has a worse matchup, while Braun is a worse overall defender than KCP, he is very good (Arguably better than KCP) at shutting down one player for the whole game. I think he could hold Luka or Kyrie at least a little bit, forcing Klay and the other shooters to make shots to keep up.
That oscillates, it comes a period where he shoots poorly from 3, it comes a period when he shoots well from 3, the law of big numbers, you will see oscillations, he will shoot better in the 2025 playoffs.
Only thing nuggets are going to need is to bring back a KCP type player. He fit so well for them because he was just a guy who didnt need the ball alot, but could also go as the perfect off ball scorer, while also being reliable on defense. I LOVE the westbrook fit, and i already envision Murray playing alot at shooting guard this year. But they are gonna need that glue guy
Dario saric is a below average back up, who proved who he was last year; his only good attributes are his height and 3pt shot. Lmao pls don’t say that’s a pick up That’s a burden- okc fan
The only real contenders in the West are OKC and Sacramento. Everybody else got worse🤷🏾♂️ the Nuggets lost shooters and gained Russ. Celtics vs OKC 2025 Finals🔥
No they’re not lmao. A team that only got their chip by playing 4 bottom seed teams was not ever a contender, and they definitely aren’t contending now
So what if they played 4 bottom seed teams? What matters is whether they played great teams and they did play great teams. Lakers were bottom seed because AD and Lebron didn't play most of the season. Suns were a bottom seed because KD joined them near the all star break and since KD joined them they had the best record in the West and fans like you thought the Nuggets had no chance against them. Now that the Nuggets beat them 4-2 you changed your tune.
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They really missed on Tyus Jones. Solid backup point that can actually shoot
Phoenix will give him a bigger role
I think tyus wanted to start or something like that
He was only going somewhere with a guarantee to start, which almost no team was going to give him. Lakers should have offered him a deal but the Nuggets couldn't offer a starting role
The nuggets are contenders but really because Jokic is the best player in the world.
That’s not good enough to be contenders anymore
They definitely are but the west is stacked I need more than good role players
@@drewp839 wouldn’t say that because that’s been a thing where certain teams were contenders because the best player on that team was just that good and also come playoff time we’ve seen many series where 1 player basically carried their team to the win. Easy example is 2018 Cavs: Lebron James.
@@BRYxMONTANA I think with the talent of the league a team can’t just be carried like that anymore. As great as Jokic is, that front office put him in an impossible situation
@@drewp839bro Luka just did it. Not on the same level but he still was carrying Dallas. Kyrie had a lot up and downs and Luka literally carried them and made Washington, lively and Gafford look like solid players
Nuggets really missed on Lonnie walker, instead of Russ I would’ve loved lonnie with them, great scorer and can actually play similar to Jamal
People really make out Lonnie walker to be some sort of elite role player. He played for the Nets last year. He's not that great
@@blablablaa14cope ☘️
@@blablablaa14nobody said that, he is a great bench scorer, matter of fact he is easily a top 25 bench scorer in the league
Lonnie is a guy that gives you 20 one game and 2 the next three
They need ball handling and consistent paint penetration more than they need scoring. Westbrook is better in those categories i would say.
Peyton Watson is the key this season. He has to fulfill his potential for the Nuggets to win again after losing KCP and Bruce Brown.
I’m not even sure his max potential is as good as KCP or Brown were for this team
Hot take: everyone will hype up the thunder but they will end up being an early playoff exit once again this year
To be fair
They only fell early cuz Luka was on demon time this season and they had to play the finals contenders
@@RealMrSmileand because Josh Giddey fucking sucks
I think you don’t realize how good of a signing was Hartenshein and getting Caruso! Caruso is basically Derrick White level of player already on top of SGA, Jalen Williams and Chester!
Idk, that OKC Dallas series was very close.
If SGA didn't foul at the end to give PJ Washington 3 free throws, OKC would have won, and had game 7 at home.
Also, we know the NBA is a copy cat League. The Celtics cracked the code on how to stop that Dallas Offense. Stuff like Putting Tatum on Gafford/Lively and not giving up the corner 3s... I think OKC has the personnel now that can run those type of schemes.
I didn't know a 2nd round exit is considered "early"
Malone is emotionally attached to Murray and Porter... that's the reason why they weren't traded... Jokic never had an All Star teammate
This. They would not be MAX players in any other team.
Hunter + Bogdanovic for extended Jamal
Their “contenders” meaning they have the best player of the league but supporting cast is ass with overpaid players injury prone
The problem is more the consistancy
Guys like MPJ and Gordon can give you an easy 20 points on a good night with insane shooting and Murray can also give you easy 30+ points but they only play good half of the time
That's why Nuggets lost game 7 to the Wolves cuz outside of Murray and Jokic everyone was trash
@@RealMrSmileStop that. Murray is garbage. He is only good against the Lakers, just like MPJ. He was lackluster these playoffs.
Look at his Olympics games this year. 5.7 points on 33.3% shooting from the field, making only 1 of 10 3-pointers (10%) in 11.6 minutes per game.
He fell off hard after that championship and is no longer worth 156 million. He didn't sign an extension, hoping to shine in the Olympics and negotiate a bigger contract but it backfired.
The only good and consistent player of that team is Jokic. He won a championship with a team that didn't even have one All Star player other than him.
@@akirosakuragi9279 I completely agree with you. They are not playing like MAX players, especially in the playoffs. Everybody is talking about chemistry between Jokic and Jamal. I bet 80% of point-guards would have chemistry with Jokic, as he will always find you. He makes Jamal and everybody around him better. Look at the Jamal stats in the Olympics and you will see it straight away. I got badly downvoted for this opinion in Nuggets subreddit. :/
Nuggets just have so many more holes than they did in the title run, they're always gonna be contenders if jokic is there but they're significantly worse
They were a very thin team and they let a starter walk because their owner is cheap.
Now they're paper thin and 2 of their top 3 players are injury prone. I really don't see the nuggets getting even a top 3 seed atp with how bad their depth is.
No one wants to go into the second apron it’s not because our owner is cheap
@@donjuan8402 People talk about the second apron like it's the fucking boogeyman, they don't even know what the restrictions are/aren't.
What change exactly are the nuggets making right now to make them better that they wouldn't be able to make in the second apron?
Literally the only thing letting KCP walk allowed them to do was sign Dario Saric, a player who was unplayable in the regular season for the 10th seeded warriors.
Nothing screams desperation like signing Russell Westbrook.
I think considering that Jokic himself wanted him he has some plans with him
He can make any player useful with his style
@@RealMrSmile I think Jokic is making the same mistake Lebron did, He's confusing what Russ could be, with what Russ really is.
@@user-nu7on8ob4mRuss averaged 22 12 12 the year before joining the lakers, totally different situations
@@ifailatblackops1 Yes, that's exactly what Denver need. Russ hogging the ball, padding stats for triple doubles. That's going to bring them back to Finals, no doubt.
The front office is lacking. Who cares about cap when you have Jokic. They should’ve kept KCP, signed someone like tyus and picked up a decent 4/5
The cap isn't just scary for the owners because they don't want to pay out of pocket anymore. The restrictions for going over the second apron cripple a team's ability to make any kind of improvement or move in general.
@@CrazyxEnigma I keep seeing people saying this but the restrictions really aren't allat compared to losing KCP for nothing. And it's not like they can make some improvement below the second apron right now that would get them someone with even half the value of KCP.
@@a3per818 Letting KCP walk for nothing was a bad move that I agree with, my comment was specifically in reference to op saying "who cares about the cap when you have Jokic." It's more important now than ever before and makes building teams, and potential dynasties, much more difficult.
@@CrazyxEnigma yeah the cap matters more than ever for sure. But it also gives owners an excuse to be cheap and make bad basketball moves for money saving (like letting KCP walk).
@@a3per818 That it does. I'm hoping in a few years everybody realizes how terrible the new rules are and walks them back.
Praying for 2003 Tim Duncan for Jokic, a pure carry job to the ring.
Peyton Watson as the shooting guard I'm here for it
People acting like Braun is a lock for the starting SG, but people who pay attention know Malone said this summer it’s up in the air. Could be Strawther, Watson, or Braun. Each option would be good. I do want to see Watson in that role though.
@@gnomechomsky2524 If Watson can shoot decently from 3 I'm all in with him starting at sg. He's tall, good defensively and if he can shoot decently from 3? That's a really good starter
@@CarnagexSena watson has a decent midrange game too, and is not a bad passer either. best defender and athlete of the three, even better than Braun. KCP put up like 10 PPG in that role and hit like 1-2 threes a game. Watson can definitely do that. Braun might be able to but he’s not as good on offense, doesn’t really have a bag. Strawther could be a revelation though.
@@gnomechomsky2524He is a lock, you're coping tbh
@@gnomechomsky2524 I'm a 76ers fan and I think he can be like Oubre. Good defensively, 6'7 so almost just as tall as Watson and kinda streaky as a shooter but really good at cutting and slashing. Idk much about Strawther though what can you say about him
Nuggets needed Murray and MPJ to be all-star level. They paid them like all-stars. They have only shown glimpses of that level though. They have been way too inconsistent.
I have no doubts in my mind that this team will be scary. but their biggest concern is still glaring imo. that depth is still a serious issue imo. i do like the addition of Dario but the lose of KCP & and the addition of russ is just a downgrade truthfully. i can only hope that the young guys on that roster make a huge leap this year
Russ plays a lot like Bruce Brown, not as good of a shooter but does 90% of what Brown did. Plus he’s a big energy guy which the nuggets need. He’s a huge addition. You’ll see.
@@gnomechomsky2524he will be a liability on offense. Not great off the ball, not a spacer, a ball dominant player who can’t dominate.
@@gnomechomsky2524 Lmao my man says Russ plays a lot like Bruce Brown....
Bruce Brown could actually shoot. Russ is beyond diabolical as a shooter and is an offensive liability.
Russ is replacing Reggie Jackson. Technically an upgrade but not a big leap.
This comments section is full of overreacting idiots. The Nuggets have just as good of a chance of winning the West as any of these other teams (OKC, DAL, MIN, etc.).
But that's the thing, if Murray was as good as he was in 2023 and if KCP and Bruce Brown were still there the Nuggets would be clear cut favorites and now they are not
The Nuggets will contend, but they will get over the hump if they get Porter and Nnaji make their salaries count and hope that Watson continues his growth. As for Murray, he will recover but there's only so much he will be able to do. Having Russ will help as there is at least another shot creator for the non-Jokic minutes. They will make at the very least the sixth seed.
crazy to type this and hit enter but jokic actually has to go to the next level for them to win again. MPJ's terrible contract, jamal's very inconsistent play (his game 7 against the t-wolves was actually very mid - incredible first half that was mega dragged down by a game-losing second half), and CB clearly not being a 5th man yet (no hate, just needs 2 more years of growth to be starter potential). it's just not there with this squad at this level. can jokic go to gear 12? absolutely
The biggest better be thankful Jokic has been healthy. Imagine he misses like 25 games next year.
They CANNOT max Murray. He’s clearly not that good anymore, and on top of overpaying MPJ and having to overpay Gordon, they’ll be even more cooked than they already are
Would you rather they lose him for nothing in free agency then? Cause some team will offer him a max (Detroit, Spurs, Orlando and etc)
"not that good anymore" based on what? One bad playoff series and an underwhelming Olympics? Not saying he's deserving of the max, but let's not act like a 27 y/o guard has just completely fallen off as a player
@@blablablaa14 I honestly don’t know how an NBA team can see how he’s playing and still give him a max. He’s a Jokic merchant!
@@jackjohnson2551right? The dude was still somewhat injured.
@@antoinehenderson1659but he's always injured
They could have gotten Bogdonovic from the hawks if they didnt trade reggie jackso and combine his money with zeke naji
If I was the GM I'd try to move MPJ and some picks for a big name in a bad situation.
The key word in the title is "but".
I mean let me be real here jokic can get this team to a top 6 seeding but this west the roster westbrook needing to be a integral part this team could miss it if things swing bad for em
I like that bench unit of russ, strawther, pwat, Saric, and Zeke coudl of been Dayron Holmes too that was a tough blow. I think if they can make a small move or big one at the deadline they’re gonna suprise people this year
I’m more curious who’s gonna ask out first; Luka or jokic. If the mavs or nuggets have an early post season exit you’re going to HEAR A TON of “ are they gonna team up” talk
Jokic doesnt seem like the type of guy to ask out, but Luka has diva vibes so definitely him even though he draws teammates away
I pray Jokic asked out first because the Nuggets GM clearly doesn't care about winning.
@@kingad8869 the nuggets gm cares more than the mavs gm. If I was Luka I would have asked out immediately when they didn’t sign Brunson.
STED-DAD, FUNKY DROPPED
The thing you missed with Dallas is they have the opportunity to pair Gafford at center with Lively at PF for stretches. They wouldn't want to do it too much because they play with so much energy when they have limited minutes, but nobody in the NBA has a better defensive 1-2 than that lineup. If they could get a real power forward to split time with Washington (or even replace him if Klay & Marshall turn out to be a great SF duo), that right there is the most talented team in the NBA (they already might be). If it's Washington and Kleber at PF then they'll struggle against the best centers.
All they need to do is sign Isaac okoro to replace KCP🤷♂️
Okoro isn’t nearly as good as KCP
Their window is closed, Jokic would have to have one of the greatest playoff runs ever to even drag them to the finals at this point
he already has one of the greatest playoff runs ever, as long as he has a fully healthy Jamal Murray anything’s possible
honestly, thats completely possible lmao and they are still a really good team with MPJ and Gordon at the wing
If MPJ and Murray play at the level they are paying them, they can win another title. They haven’t played this well though. Murray was amazing in 2023 title run. But he and MPJ were awful in the playoffs last year
@@nts4906 if MPJ ever played to his salary, the nuggets would be going for ring number 4 this season, its not gonna happen
@@jameskelly1253 reach
make another 2k16 mygm 🙏🏽🙏🏽 the nuggets series is my favorite
It’s really simple. The Nuggets will go as far as Jamal Murray goes. Is he the guy that looks like a top 4-6 PG next year or is he gonna be a pumpkin?
The Nuggets are not contenders, Jamal was supposed to sign his deal and didn't. He is going to be upset the entire year about that the same as Klay, he will be asked about the extension not happening every time he talks to media. This is going to be a huge distraction, and really if you're the Nuggets why give this dude 200 million when he might be on his literal last legs
what do you mean last legs? He’s 27. Immanuel Quickley got 175 million why can’t he get 200 million? And why aren’t the nuggets contenders?
@@playcost It doesn't matter his age he has the injury history of a 36 year old and doesn't seem to be healing as effectively. You can't be a contender when each year you lost your 5th best player and your number 2 decline. It would be lovely for Murray to have it finally click and never get injured again, but its just unlikely. They lost to the wolves partly because he was awful. He wasn't even good against the Lakers outside of two shots at the end of games.
Also IQ got way overpaid. No idea why toronto paid that, but they have their own bigger issues than the nuggets
Oh hell yeah we going ALL THE WAY THIS YEAR. GO NUGGS!!!!!!!
They lost all the - ‘minimum as was’ - bench talent & size they had & that already cost them vs the Wolves last year… no bench. No size. Now no starting SG and Westbrook is getting paid more than Jackson after he left… Denver is small, shallow bench, and screwed and I LOVE watching Denver play. Best starters in the league by far even without KCP…
They aren't contenders because they have Russell Westbrook.
Any playoff team in the Year of our Lord 2024 still playing Westbrook has zero title hopes and shouldn't be taken seriously.
Truth
Underrated comment
Sure, let’s blame the guy that’s playing for the vet minimum 😂 You Russ haters are goofy
@@BestShootermanUbz Yeah, but Murray can be good. We've seen it recently.
MPJ can be good as well.
But Westbrook? Westbrook stopped being a meaningful playoff contributor 7 years ago.
@@brianduru3753.......7 years ago was his MVP season
Braun needs to step up his numbers
Others have to step out if Murray is not going good
As long as they have Jokic they will always be a contender but over the years they have lost some key players.
MPJ needs to step up along with their other role players like Buarn and Watson and Westbrook should help coming off the bench. If their roles players step up then Denver is going to be fine
Porter and Gordon keys to win another rings if teams double on Murray and joker
Can’t forget about the Russ curse
Losing a quality vet starter and expecting a young guy that has shown a medium amount of potential to step into that role is a dangerous gamble for a contender. Starting Braun and having a bench of Westbrook, Strawther, Watson, Saric, ?(Hunter Tyson/Cancar?) makes Denver one of the least deep teams in the league. Compare that to Dallas' bench: Gafford, Marshall, Grimes, Kleber, Exum, Dinwiddie, Hardy. Denver's top 4 is as good as anyone's but you need 7-8 guys you can 100% trust in the playoffs and they don't have that.
In my opinion Calvin Boothe is a great GM and great basketball mind. We haven’t seen his vision have a chance to play out until now. From all accounts CB looks like a beast this offseason. This is a huge year for him and Watson. Strawther gonna surprise a lot of people. KCP wasn’t playing very well in the playoffs and his time was getting stale. I’m seeing a lot of overreactions.
They were barely contenders last year, their roster had no depth and now they don’t even have a starting lineup. That front office should be fired for what they are doing to jokic’s prime
They were the 2nd seed in the west last year and lost in 7 in the second round. What universe are you in?
You’re crazy. They were the best team to match up with Boston.
@@dontaerogers2687 they lost in the second round, the jazz were never contenders but they were the 1 seed. You can’t win with 4 good nba players 1 decent bench player and bums
@@dontaerogers2687the universe where 3&D players matter
@@drewp839because Dallas get to the final with who? You think Dallas has a better starter lineup, or Minnesota are you on drugs or something? Just saying 😂
The only West teams i'm scared of for the nuggets are the Twolves and the Thunder. I think Dallas has a worse matchup, while Braun is a worse overall defender than KCP, he is very good (Arguably better than KCP) at shutting down one player for the whole game. I think he could hold Luka or Kyrie at least a little bit, forcing Klay and the other shooters to make shots to keep up.
They’d just run actions to get Braun out of the play he’s gotta average at least 9-12 ppg on decent efficiency if they wanna chance
@@ry_an. Braun is fairly switchable too tho at like 6'7 and athletic
How do you sound that much like Jamal Murray.
Celtics vs Thunder/Wolves will be the finals barring any major injuries
Sorry to lose CP. Was a good man. Seems to me the Luka's of the world they score against any one. Never really saw CP shut the top players down.
Short answer: no
Long answer: no
what is this an answer for
No what
The other thing with Joker too is that his 3 ball is broken. In the playoffs and Olympics. Thats a problem.
That oscillates, it comes a period where he shoots poorly from 3, it comes a period when he shoots well from 3, the law of big numbers, you will see oscillations, he will shoot better in the 2025 playoffs.
Jamal isn’t good enough anymore for them to be real contenders. Idk what happened with him
i really hate the russ pickup. not that he isn't good, he's just a terrible fit.
Denver is afraid to pay my hey tax or else. Kcp.would still be here
Murray needs to get healthy
Only thing nuggets are going to need is to bring back a KCP type player. He fit so well for them because he was just a guy who didnt need the ball alot, but could also go as the perfect off ball scorer, while also being reliable on defense.
I LOVE the westbrook fit, and i already envision Murray playing alot at shooting guard this year. But they are gonna need that glue guy
Short answer is unlikely - Nuggets got worse, league got better.
Remeber russ vs suns without pg and kawhi in po
Hunter Tyson.
Lmao
Martinez Carol Davis Anthony Hernandez Matthew
Jokic in 5
Swept in 5 maybe
Can we get bigvabivoicich😊
what?
Take jokic off the nuggets they would have a top 5 pick
Lopez Betty Lewis Jose Hall Brian
The only thing we can count on from Murray this season is him being a playoff merchant. MFer is gonna become prime MJ come April.
I dont see the nuggets making the finals with there current rosters. I bet even Memphis can beat them in a 7 game series
The nuggets are not contenders hell no
Dario saric is a below average back up, who proved who he was last year; his only good attributes are his height and 3pt shot. Lmao pls don’t say that’s a pick up
That’s a burden- okc fan
Anyone can have one bad season, it happens. We will see
Nuggets should have ask for PG13 from the Clippers for MPJ and Braun.
🧢🧢🧢
Who’s the best player Jokic or Giannis?
Jokic
Depends on what you value
Giannis is a better 2 way player cuz of great defense but Jokic is a better leader that makes his whole team better
Am i insane for thinking Giannis is the best player in the world still?
no. it’s either him or joker tho
@@betyt4398I think it’s pretty close between Jokic, Embiid, and Giannis, but Jokic has the best ceiling by far to me.
Yes. Jokic is clearly better.
Yes
@@gnomechomsky2524 “clearly” 💀💀💀
The only real contenders in the West are OKC and Sacramento. Everybody else got worse🤷🏾♂️ the Nuggets lost shooters and gained Russ. Celtics vs OKC 2025 Finals🔥
Hahaha. Sacramento. Hahahaha
Sacramento is crazy. So the kings are better than the nuggets, wolves, Mavs, and Memphis? They’ll be lucky to avoid the play in
Mavs objectively got better. Kings are still far away from contenders
Bro said Sacramento😭
They'll be #6 seed maximum
Sacramento?
nope
If Jokic Murray & Westbrook First Round Exit. Lose the Lakers.
maybe the lakers will lose in 6 this time, and 7 the year after. On pace to win in 3 years👍
@@metalhead2536I don’t think the lakers will make the playoffs 3 years from now lol
@@epicxx7699 3 years? Not sure about this upcoming year.
@@metalhead2536 yeah the chances will get slimmer each year. I don’t know what trades they can do that would drastically change that.
No they’re not lmao. A team that only got their chip by playing 4 bottom seed teams was not ever a contender, and they definitely aren’t contending now
So what if they played 4 bottom seed teams? What matters is whether they played great teams and they did play great teams. Lakers were bottom seed because AD and Lebron didn't play most of the season. Suns were a bottom seed because KD joined them near the all star break and since KD joined them they had the best record in the West and fans like you thought the Nuggets had no chance against them. Now that the Nuggets beat them 4-2 you changed your tune.
Hot take: Michael Beasley would have been an all NBA talent with his own team
Hot take: DeAndre Ayton is better than jokic, he just doesn't get enough touches
Bait used to be believable
Replace ayton with zubac and we got something
Jokes used to be funny on here