NBA Open Thread

All Hail King Jokic!

A week after it looked like Denver was on the ropes, having sleepwalked through the series with the Lakers and then getting their asses handed to them twice at home by Minnesota, Nikola Jokic has simply reminded everyone that he is the best basketball player in the world. He has completely dominated the last three games and there is nothing Minnesota can do about it. Rudy Gobert might be the best defensive player in the NBA, but Jokic made him look like Damian Lillard on defense last night. Astounding performance. Never count out a team with the best player in the world, I guess that’s the lesson.

Of course Minnesota could easily win the last two games of this series, but I wouldn’t bet on it now. It’s Joker time.

The New York-Indiana series has also been so fascinating. New York is down to 7 functional players who Thibs will give minutes to. He’s running these guys into the ground, which is his reputation and why many players don’t want to play for him. The injuries have piled up and up and….the Knicks just keep hanging in there. I mean, let’s be clear, Boston is going to destroy either the Knicks or the Pacers, but still, it’s quite a coaching job and Jalen Brunson is just great.

Finally, Dallas is proving what many thought–OKC is just too young and inexperienced for the playoffs. It’s still a hugely successful season for the Thunder (and the Timberwolves if they lose), but there is another step to take to play with the big boys.

So this is an open thread for the NBA or other sports stuff.