Open Thread: A Spurs perspective on the Clippers vs. Nuggets playoff series
The second game of today’s playoff launch pits two teams with identical records
This series might be one of the tightest. The Clippers and Nuggets both ended the season with 50-32 records. In head-to-head competition this year, they split the series 2-2. The Clippers win the tie-breaker by points. Their victories came with a combined 45 points where the Nuggets victories were by 9 total.
The Clippers also have the momentum having won the two latter. That said, they haven’t met up since early January.
From a Spurs perspective, the Clippers sport three former Spurs- Kawhi Leonard, Drew Eubanks, and Patty Mills. Depending on your personal resentments, this could be a wash.
The Nuggets fired coach Michael Malone just before the end of the season, who coached them in their Championship year.
In a world of superstar players, I’m still going to root for Nikola Juice over Kawhi Leonard, but not because for the reason that first comes to mind. Jokic is still one of the best players in the league with numbers and rankings to back it up.
Leonard, as best said by Stephen A. Smith, is “the worst superstar in the history of any sport.” He simply either doesn’t or isn’t able to show up for his team at the level necessary to bridge greatness to a title.
His title with the Spurs was fueled by one of the greatest supporting casts including the shoulders of three first ballot hall of fame players.
His second title included the first game-winning field goal at the buzzer in a Game 7 in NBA Playoffs history. Lucky, yes, but not definitive. Toronto’s Finals victory came at the expense of Kevin Durant’s ruptured Achilles tendon and Klay Thompson’s torn ACL. Had those two stayed healthy, the Raptors securing a ring does not sound likely.
The Clippers ended the season winning nine of ten preparing them for intense battle.
Prediction: Clippers in 6.
Who am I rooting for: Nuggets.
Reason: Just a team full of guys I’d want to have dinner with. Can’t say that about Harden, Simmons, and the aforementioned Leonard.
How about you? Who you rooting for?
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