He is their everything, so him not being around changes what throw in of team you’re facing.
Usually in games like that, Jokic has his way with you and that’s all she wrote.
His +/- in this game was 0.
To do it while down 40% of your starting lineup only makes it more impressive.
With that said, let us begin.
Al Horford, at 38, went band for band with Nikola Jokic in this game.
This is what he does.
This is why he’s a champion.
This is why he’s a Knight.
When you need Al Horford, Al Horford is there for you.
It wasn’t a situation where Al had Jokic in jail, don’t be silly.
Jokic had 14 points on 6-9 shooting in the 41 possessions being guarded by Jokic.
Nobody stops Jokic in terms of individual defense.
Young Al maybe, but this version?
If this old guy can go balls to the wall, then so can the younger players.
All at age 38!!
There is no replacing Al Horford.
They don’t make multiple Al Horford’s.
So what’s the solution?
Al Horford is simply not allowed to retire.
- When these two teams played earlier in the season, the Nuggets only scored 106 points.
Considering he is their entire offense, that made sense.
Well, Jokic played yesterday.
In fact, he played 39 minutes.
The Nuggets scored 103 points.
A guy like Westbrook started 2-2, got confident, and then finished 1-11 (0-6).
Braun finished 2-8, MPJ 2-6, Westbrook 2-8, and Murray 2-7.
In some ways, we saw Joe unleash a playoff defense approach to handling the Nuggets.
Don’t even worry about the non-shooters.
You’re not stopping Jokic no matter what you do, so that’s really the only way.
Exploit their roster construction.
He had just 20all of last seasonand then 5 in the playoffs.
His AST% of 22% is the highest of his career, as are his 4.7 AST.
Just think of what this means for an opposing defense.
He’s having a fantastic playmaking season!
His passing and offense creation for others has turned into a weapon!
All while only having an 11% TOV% which is pretty much his career average.
We’re seeing a passing leap while not seeing TOs go up.
- After being legitimate dogshit against the Cavs, the bench certainly redeemed themselves in this win.
An entire unit no-showing like that, at home, basically never happens.
Yesterday this group being impactful when Jokic sat was big.
It’s what makes them so good.
That’s why I feel like this win was somewhat cathartic.
The Celts beat the Nuggets at their own game.
It was the Nuggets who took more 3PA in this game.
They took more overall shots, and made more overall shots.
So how did the Celts pull it out?
That’s shit the Celtics of old would do, not this version.
The “bad' games for Tatum are now 16/11/7 near triple doubles, which is pretty hilarious.
This was a “coasting” throw in of performance from Tatum, which is some ways I understand.
That shit happens and I almost wouldn’t hate finding a game to give him his much needed rest.
This dude has not missed a game since before Christmas!
It’s March 3rd.
- Only taking 46 3PA in their last 6 quarters is nowhere close to enough in my opinion.
I just don’t get it.
This team is about winning titles and being the best versions of themselves.
To do that, the ball has to move.
There has to be balance.
If you become predictable in terms of where you are attacking from, you become easier to defend.
You don’t have the benefit of a consistent run to get a rhythm, that’s the challenge.
Again, it’s VERY early.
The dude has played 5 games.
But 36/25% splits isn’t exactly screaming that Craig should have this role no matter what.
Jordan Walsh can definitely shoot 36/25% and I do think his development is more important moving forward.
- Nobody, and I mean NOBODY is worse at throwing entry passes than your Boston Celtics.
Pick a player, it doesn’t matter.
Of the 14 total team turnovers, the Jays were responsible for 11 of them.
Given how well he reads defenses, I found those to be pretty shocking.
Over Tatum’s last 4 games, he’s averaging 4.8 TOs a game.
Two separate 6 TOs performances.
I mean, what are we doing here Jayson.
hey take care of the ball.
With Brown there are certain turnovers you expect.
In a playoff game/series, that is the shit that loses you games you have no business losing.
It’s what as been the root of their collapses in the last two games.
Make teams beat you in the halfcourt.
Being careless with the basketball is only asking for easy buckets and a whole lot of trouble.
