2024 NBA Season

[ChiBitCTy]

If the Heat players keep shooting like they did in Game 1, they won't have a chance to win the Finals series. Just look at their stats. Strus missed all 10 of his shots, Martin scored only 1 of 7, and Robinson scored 1 of 6. If these players had scored at least half of their shots, the outcome of the first game might have been different. So it seems to me that the Heat needs to think not only about stopping Jokic but also about not screwing up on offense once again.

I think the motivation is not enough and Jimmy Butler is feeling it with the Miami Heat team, on the interview he is likely saying all of that words to his teammates for them to wake up a bit, that they need to move more, and getting those inside rebounds and taking the drive to the Nuggets because there isn't much activity in getting free throws,

The Heat players have already come such a long way and beaten such strong opponents as the Bucks and Celtics, and now they're literally one step away from winning the title. So how can they lack motivation? Those players who played poorly in the first game should pick themselves up in the next games rather than relying on Butler to win the title for them single-handedly.

It's not a motivation thing.  At a certain point the lack of pure talent will eventually stu t their ability to move on.  Beating the Nuggets 4 games out of the next 6 is going to require more than motivation.  These guys are gonna have to punch above theor weight class and hit 3s at a higher rate than normal.  Get more 50/50 balls, offensive rebounds, limit turnovers etc.  Just too much I think.

I have the motivation to date a Victoria Secret model ( or a few ), but unfortunately motivation will not be enough for me to be able to get the dates with those models lol.  But I of course certainly agree with you that it's not about motivation, I don't know how you could be much more motivated that the Miami Heat are after defying the odds all this time.

Unfortunately I think the Heat will be lucky to win one game.

[Volgastallion]

Denver seems really strong, and with Jokic on this level i dont think Miami can have any chance.

But in the first game we dont see Butler playing at high level, lets see in the next one, what happen.

[Baofeng]

Denver seems really strong, and with Jokic on this level i dont think Miami can have any chance.

But in the first game we dont see Butler playing at high level, lets see in the next one, what happen.

Yes, we've seen how good Jokic is all around, he involved his teams and then he take the offense as well. He had another triple double, second player behind Jason Kidd to accomplished that in their first finals appearance, so that is something for Jokic and the rest of NBA history to cherished.

But the fight is still not over, it's just game 1, again, battle of adjustments, we will see how coach Spo will respond in the next game. And I don't think that Jimmy will just sit it out. He will have to motivate himself and his team again just like what they did in game 7 against the Celtics. For sure they are going to look at how bad they shot the ball, so that could be one area that they are going to improved in game 2.

[Pamadar]

I don't write that much in this section but what Jokic is doing is really something new, the team looks like one, they have good synergy the ball is going fast and Jokic is perfect center figure for that type of play. I think Nuggets will win the series in convincing fashion.

The first match of the finals has officially gone down in history. Nikola Jokic became the center with the most assists in a single game in NBA Finals history with 14 assists. Also Jokic became the second player in history to score a triple-double in his first game in the NBA Finals. The player who will carry the Nuggets to the finals is already clear. Jokic constantly adds value to his team and i sense a Tim Duncan vibe in him. The Nuggets are very good as a team and their block and steal rates are great. The Miami Heat were comfortable as if they were in a friendly match and were the losing side. The Nuggets dominated the game from start to finish and i think it will be like that throughout the series. Maybe they can reach the championship even without losing in the series.

No surprises here, he said previously in many interviews that he pattern his game on Tim Duncan, but I guess he is a better version of Tim because he can pass the ball and like to involved his team mates more. But the difference is that Tim has many rings and that the San Antonio Spurs are one of the most dominant teams in the 2000's together with the Lakers because of Duncan's play and leadership.

And who knows, maybe the Nuggets if ever they won their first ring will also start a franchise and dynasty like his idol.

So let's see, they have build a momentum and a blue print on how to beat a tough team in Miami Heat.

A better version of Tim, I can agree with that. Jokic talent and skills are really special.

We see him passing the ball and creating his own plays. For me, he is just like a combination of Tim and Dirk
someone who can shoot the ball but also have that good eyesight to find their teammates and work with them
as a playmaker. Let see if how far they'll go after finally making another history to win the first ever title for the
franchise.

[danherbias07]

I don't write that much in this section but what Jokic is doing is really something new, the team looks like one, they have good synergy the ball is going fast and Jokic is perfect center figure for that type of play. I think Nuggets will win the series in convincing fashion.

It is the new way of basketball for the big men. I bet a lot of players out there who are in center and forward positions are trying to figure out how Jokic is doing this but if you are a fan of the Joker this is actually the usual thing to him.
Even Shaq is a big fan of the big guy now. He says he cannot do those things, he can dominate the paint but what Jokic is doing is something that is hard to mimic and not all big men have a skill like him. He always has the option either to pass or to shoot and that makes him difficult to defend. His dribbling skills are also not to be underestimated and that is why even when he is doubled the ball is not easy to steal from him.
Now Bam has to step up his game and if the Heat will stick with doubling Jokic, they must find a way how they will go back to their pose way faster to avoid a shooter from being open.

Denver Nuggets on Game 2. I'll just take a -8 spread again and it's now at 1.92. It might change if Tyler Herro has a go signal to return.

[Ziskinberg]

Denver Nuggets on Game 2. I'll just take a -8 spread again and it's now at 1.92. It might change if Tyler Herro has a go signal to return.

It was previously reported that Herro would return in game 3, but if that has changed and he will be back due to urgency, then we still have to carefully analyze his performance as it will be his first game after getting injured in the playoffs. We don't know what kind of game he can have and how it will affect the team. Honestly, I don't expect much even if he does return. What I would like to see is Jimmy being Jimmy, a superstar who can drop an average of 30+ points like he did against the Bucks.

[Yogee]

[....]
It was previously reported that Herro would return in game 3, but if that has changed and he will be back due to urgency, then we still have to carefully analyze his performance as it will be his first game after getting injured in the playoffs. We don't know what kind of game he can have and how it will affect the team. Honestly, I don't expect much even if he does return.

Maybe not but he'll still be a good addition to the rotation and could cause more confusion or problems to the Nuggets coaching team.

What I would like to see is Jimmy being Jimmy, a superstar who can drop an average of 30+ points like he did against the Bucks.

He's becoming more like a fourth quarter man like in the series against Boston. I don't know if the exhaustion slowly catch up to him and that the game plan was to take it slow in the first half and then take over in the second.

[LogitechMouse]

Denver is just too talented, too big and too unpredictable. Whatever you do and however you are trying to guard the Joker, he will punish you. You give him space, he is taking the wide open shot. You close out or double, he will find the open man.
The only chance Miami has is if the Nuggets don't make their shots, basically saying the Heat can't win (in my eyes) and Denver can only beat themselves.

Let's go Denver, get your first chip!!

This is the reason why many are thinking about the Nuggets of winning the title against the Heat. Yes the Heat got the will to win, but will alone isn't enough for you to win a title especially with a talented, and almost unstoppable Nuggets team.

Anyway, I will add some history achievements that happened in Game 1. (just saw it online)
- Jokic joins Jason Kidd as the only players in NBA history to record a triple double in their Finals Debut.
- Jokic, and Murray joins Jordan & Pippen, and Magic & Worthy as the only teammates to both have 10+ assists in a Finals game.
- Jokic broke the past record for most number of assists by a Center in a Finals Game with 14. Bill Russell held it with 13.
- Jokic, and Murray are the 2 of 4 players in history to score 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in Finals debut.

TBH, these achievements alone by Jokic, and Murray is enough to say that they're unstoppable. The Heat are just on a disadvantage in terms of match-ups. Gordon is just bulldozing in the paint. MPJ is just dunking on the Heat players. Aside from mismatches, the Nuggets also have good defense as well, and aside from that, it seems like double teaming Jokic will not work because he can easily see players who are free to shoot.

Nuggets in 5 still. The Nuggets have all the advantages against the Heat, and one win on the road alone is enough for them to win the title.

[btc_angela]

^^ Most likely it will be the Nuggets, maybe 6, or 5 will be the mark, at least give the Heat a chance to win at their homecourt and not be swept in the Finals. As for the best duo, it's obviously Jokic and Murray, although I would agree on what Perks says, it's fluctuating, we thought that in the beginning, it's Steph and Klay (until Klay disappear), and then we have Boston's duo of Tatum and Brown, which I think for sometime as the best, until they face the Heat and they can't even score against the defense they put. And as we are now in the finals, it's Jokic and Murray who are being consistent, even in the games that they've lost to the Suns, both of have are scoring great.

[Pamadar]

It was previously reported that Herro would return in game 3, but if that has changed and he will be back due to urgency, then we still have to carefully analyze his performance as it will be his first game after getting injured in the playoffs.

Yes, we don't know if he will going to be effective after missing games, and with the way Nuggets prepared for them I can say
that it will need a deeper analysis before taking your bet here.

We don't know what kind of game he can have and how it will affect the team. Honestly, I don't expect much even if he does return.

I got that same impression, and just like said, the defense of Nuggets is really good and effective. They are rotating and not allowing
easy basket for the Heat. The adjustment for Herro is not that much as they have all the pieces for good defense.

What I would like to see is Jimmy being Jimmy, a superstar who can drop an average of 30+ points like he did against the Bucks.

The impact of Butler will be the best counter if he will activate his cheat mode and starts attacking the basket with strong finished.

[AbuBhakar]

^^ Most likely it will be the Nuggets, maybe 6, or 5 will be the mark, at least give the Heat a chance to win at their homecourt and not be swept in the Finals.

I’m still on doubt about sureness of Nuggets winning the finals because I still didn’t see Jimmy Butler on fire. I will be convinced that Nuggets already got this finals if they will still defeat Miami while Butler is on clutch mode. But
Er is very cold on game 1 same with other players like Caleb Martin that kill Boston in game 7 with his accurate 3 pointer. I like to see a real clash and shut down before we conclude.

it's obviously Jokic and Murray, although I would agree on what Perks says, it's fluctuating, we thought that in the beginning, it's Steph and Klay (until Klay disappear), and then we have Boston's duo of Tatum and Brown, which I think for sometime as the best, until they face the Heat and they can't even score against the defense they put. And as we are now in the finals, it's Jokic and Murray who are being consistent, even in the games that they've lost to the Suns, both of have are scoring great.

Jokic and Murray are the best duo for me. They are like Shaq and Kobe since they have a very strong in and outside offensive capability. Splash brother era is already over since most of the players now can shoot accurate 3 pointers.

[püsür]

^^ Most likely it will be the Nuggets, maybe 6, or 5 will be the mark, at least give the Heat a chance to win at their homecourt and not be swept in the Finals.

I’m still on doubt about sureness of Nuggets winning the finals because I still didn’t see Jimmy Butler on fire. I will be convinced that Nuggets already got this finals if they will still defeat Miami while Butler is on clutch mode. But
Er is very cold on game 1 same with other players like Caleb Martin that kill Boston in game 7 with his accurate 3 pointer. I like to see a real clash and shut down before we conclude.

I understand that you think Miami Heat was ineffective and not at their best self and that is correct but the thing is, Nuggets made them play bad offensively because of number of factors. First of all, Nuggets are much bigger than Heat and it shows both offensively and defensively. They couldn't match up with Aaron Gordon for example. And if Adebayo goes to help, then there is open Jokic which is deadly for any team. He can score or  assist, just easy. I think we saw a huge difference between Nuggets and Heat performance-wise, both from physical difference and from the fact that Nuggets were well rested while Heat was worn out, naturally after a long series against Celtics. I also don't expect a big reaction from Heat after this point. Nuggets seem just much better.

[Eureka_07]

^^ Most likely it will be the Nuggets, maybe 6, or 5 will be the mark, at least give the Heat a chance to win at their homecourt and not be swept in the Finals.

I’m still on doubt about sureness of Nuggets winning the finals because I still didn’t see Jimmy Butler on fire. I will be convinced that Nuggets already got this finals if they will still defeat Miami while Butler is on clutch mode.
<snip>

Getting even a single win will be hard to achieve for Miami Heat, let alone getting the NBA title against Denver Nuggets that is being led by Jokic. Butler's team is good, Erik was able to gather these types of players that are hungry to win. I am rooting for them to win the title, but against Denver, it would be near to impossible, unless they are able to devise plays most of us aren't able to think of. One way they could win a game is when Nuggets players' shots aren't going in; unluckiness that is possible to happen to any team.
Until no strategy against the current Nugget's firepower, I think they will dominate even the next seasons.

[flyingcarpet]

^^ Most likely it will be the Nuggets, maybe 6, or 5 will be the mark, at least give the Heat a chance to win at their homecourt and not be swept in the Finals.

I’m still on doubt about sureness of Nuggets winning the finals because I still didn’t see Jimmy Butler on fire. I will be convinced that Nuggets already got this finals if they will still defeat Miami while Butler is on clutch mode. But
Er is very cold on game 1 same with other players like Caleb Martin that kill Boston in game 7 with his accurate 3 pointer. I like to see a real clash and shut down before we conclude.

I understand that you think Miami Heat was ineffective and not at their best self and that is correct but the thing is, Nuggets made them play bad offensively because of number of factors. First of all, Nuggets are much bigger than Heat and it shows both offensively and defensively. They couldn't match up with Aaron Gordon for example. And if Adebayo goes to help, then there is open Jokic which is deadly for any team. He can score or  assist, just easy. I think we saw a huge difference between Nuggets and Heat performance-wise, both from physical difference and from the fact that Nuggets were well rested while Heat was worn out, naturally after a long series against Celtics. I also don't expect a big reaction from Heat after this point. Nuggets seem just much better.

Denver Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the first game with Nikola Jokic's good play. Aaron Gordon, on the other hand, surprised me a lot because his scoring contribution was so good. In Miami, he had a bad game in terms of shooting performance. Despite all that, I think Miami will score more than 103 points in Game 2. Denver is definitely my favorite in this match, but I don't want the series to go one-sided.

[passwordnow]

I don't write that much in this section but what Jokic is doing is really something new, the team looks like one, they have good synergy the ball is going fast and Jokic is perfect center figure for that type of play. I think Nuggets will win the series in convincing fashion.

It's because his chemistry with his tandem and other teammates didn't just build over a year or two. They've gone through the process and that's the foundation of what this team has got. Unlike other teams that were trying to do shortcuts through getting superstars after superstars, that doesn't really work well but maybe for a few teams it does but not for most. Jokic is now gonna be the standard of other teams when it's come to getting their center which is flexible and can also shoot whenever he does.

I agree he changed the role of center. I wish Denver can bring Doncic with which they could be in process of making a run for couple of titles. I belive he would blend perfect in Denver team.

Do you mean Luka on Denver? I don't think that the Mavs will release him, he's like the new face of the Dallas Mavericks just after Dirk's retirement.
IIRC, Mark Cuban (owner of Dallas) has already said in an interview or an article that he's not going to let go of Luka and he'll stay there for as long as he wants.
Yeah, maybe that was before and who knows what the future may bring if there are better opportunities. But you know what, there are times loyalty is much more appreciated than honoring higher contracts.

[Ziskinberg]

[....]
It was previously reported that Herro would return in game 3, but if that has changed and he will be back due to urgency, then we still have to carefully analyze his performance as it will be his first game after getting injured in the playoffs. We don't know what kind of game he can have and how it will affect the team. Honestly, I don't expect much even if he does return.

Maybe not but he'll still be a good addition to the rotation and could cause more confusion or problems to the Nuggets coaching team.

Definitely, if we see the same Herro as before the injury. Not only is he a great outside shooter, but he can also confound Jokic with his high-percentage mid-range jumper. It's understandable that we're concerned because it's his first game back from an injury. I believe he underwent surgery, so he will be tested once he returns.

What I would like to see is Jimmy being Jimmy, a superstar who can drop an average of 30+ points like he did against the Bucks.

He's becoming more like a fourth quarter man like in the series against Boston. I don't know if the exhaustion slowly catch up to him and that the game plan was to take it slow in the first half and then take over in the second.

I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling that he is not at 100%. However, since tomorrow's game is a must-win for them, they need to win if they want to win the series. So, I would like to see a fully healthy Jimmy. I'm expecting a big-time performance from him.

[yazher]

Denver Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the first game with Nikola Jokic's good play. Aaron Gordon, on the other hand, surprised me a lot because his scoring contribution was so good. In Miami, he had a bad game in terms of shooting performance. Despite all that, I think Miami will score more than 103 points in Game 2. Denver is definitely my favorite in this match, but I don't want the series to go one-sided.

I think the Miami Heat will try hard to get close to the score and not gonna let Denver takes the early huge lead through the first half to compete with them intensely in the fourth quarter because if they successfully win the game tomorrow they will keep their morale high and hope to win this year's championship because if they are playing 2-0 kinda hard to steal the show from Denver because they won't gonna get an easy win after that anymore. The Denver Nuggets won't gonna be easy this time and that's the thing they need to consider every game in order to win it and make the Nuggets realize they are facing a strong team as well.

[el kaka22]

People reacting like Nuggets have been dominant forever, they are at their first ever finals and even though they have been playing like they always do and nobody has been able to stop them, it is clear that they do lack the experience at finals, and the fact that they are facing 8th seed Miami proves that Miami has a lot more playoff experience and talent and yet they are still incapable of stopping Jokic and Murray pick, not that any other team has neither.

I kept saying Lebron/AD would have been able to stop them easily, and they got swept, think how much I have been wrong about that. In the end we are going to see a big change when it finally is figured out how to stop them, there must be a way and it will eventually work, just don't know how that can be done so far, maybe Spo will find a way.

[dwyane36]

It was previously reported that Herro would return in game 3, but if that has changed and he will be back due to urgency, then we still have to carefully analyze his performance as it will be his first game after getting injured in the playoffs. We don't know what kind of game he can have and how it will affect the team. Honestly, I don't expect much even if he does return. What I would like to see is Jimmy being Jimmy, a superstar who can drop an average of 30+ points like he did against the Bucks.

On the one hand, Herro's return will probably not have much of an impact on the outcome of the next couple of games, as he'll probably need some time to get back to his former playing shape. On the other hand, we should keep in mind that a healthy Herro can average 20+ points per game, and I think he's definitely the guy the Heat needs right now.

[freedomgo]

[....]
It was previously reported that Herro would return in game 3, but if that has changed and he will be back due to urgency, then we still have to carefully analyze his performance as it will be his first game after getting injured in the playoffs. We don't know what kind of game he can have and how it will affect the team. Honestly, I don't expect much even if he does return.

Maybe not but he'll still be a good addition to the rotation and could cause more confusion or problems to the Nuggets coaching team.

What I would like to see is Jimmy being Jimmy, a superstar who can drop an average of 30+ points like he did against the Bucks.

He's becoming more like a fourth quarter man like in the series against Boston. I don't know if the exhaustion slowly catch up to him and that the game plan was to take it slow in the first half and then take over in the second.

I'm not that positive about Herro's return especially in this situation that they cannot afford to make anymore mistake against the Nuggets who can pretty much dominate the whole game in any given way. I mean, yes he is a great six man and a power offensive player but coming from an injury ? I think his return will just add more problems instead of solving the case as the whole line-up will be changed again and their rhythm will be scathed.