Suns vs. Nuggets Game 1: Monday, June 7 Nuggets at Suns 9:00pm TNT Game 2: Wednesday, June 9 Nuggets at Suns 8:30pm TNT Game 3: Friday, June 11 Suns at Nuggets 9:00pm ESPN Game 4: Sunday, June 13 Suns at Nuggets 7:00pm TNT Game 5* Tuesday, June 15 Nuggets at Suns TNT Game 6* Thursday, June 17 Suns at Nuggets ESPN Game 7* Sunday, June 20 Nuggets at Suns *All Times Central
Suns have more. If the Nuggets had Murray I would have picked them for the finals actually, but that's a huge miss. Still, the Nuggets are so deep that this is going to be a tough series for the suns. I mean, CP3s health matters here. There is of course a chance he just completely breaks down. Hopefully not, but...yeah.
For similar reasons, but leaning slightly the other way. CP3's health is a concern. On Booker, he got most of his point of the final game in 1st half, when sending different doubles to Booker, it seemed to work somewhat, causing turnovers. This is something Malone could tap into. Booker a good scorer, but passing while good is not elite; may able to scheme him there. Should be a good series.
These 2 teams are so likeable compared to the other option of watching Utah, Dallas or LA. Disgusting to think about Utah or Dallas in the Finals especially. It would honestly make me more angry at Harden for leaving and Tilman for blowing so much up. Some times, you just need to keep fighting through with shake ups-ala MJ Bulls breaking through against Detroit. We were having that kind of moment with GS. We just couldn't catch a break. Toronto gets to face them minus KD and Klay while we were tied 2-2 at full strength with our worsened roster. Since then, there's been no Warriors in our way no Lakers this season and Nets wouldn't be as dangerous without Harden. Harden/CP/Capela/Tucker and some mix up moves would be in place right now to dominate the West. I hate this.
Changing of the guards, That said, the #1 or #2 guys on these teams are mostly home grown as opposed to the superstar migration. Booker 5 years, Rudy 7 years, Mitchell 4 years, Murray 5 years, Jokic 6 years. Being 4-7 years in the league, they are in their prime already. Some may ascend others may decline, nothing guaranteed, but it's their era now. ---------------------------------------------------------- Phoenix: Booker (#13 pick 2015) Deandre Ayton (#1 pick 2018) Cameron Johnson (#11 2019) Nuggets Jamal Murray (#7 2015) Nikola Jokic (#41 2014) Michael Porter Jr (#14 2018) Jazz Rudy Gobert (#1 2013) Donovan Mitchell (#13 2017) Joe Ingles (#undrafted 2009, but played with Jazz his whole NBA career) ------------------ The fact they're homegrown bodes well for Rockets, but it took these guys at least 4 years to maybe shine deep in the playoffs, and for the previous generation to start to age out. This is still with KD/Harden/Giannis around, but one of these Western teams might end up in the NBA finals.
35 yr old looking ayton with the huge dunk. Lost in the Luka and Trae spotlight, ayton has turn himself into a damn good role player.