If miami can continue to be the greatest shooting team in playoff history, they can probably extend the series (or if their insane injury luck continues and jokic gets hurt). If their shooting luck reverts back to normal, i don't see how they can win more than one game, if even that.
The only 50 win team in the West other than the Nuggets were the grizzlies with 51 wins. Would it have made you feel better if Denver had to go through Memphis? It’s not Denver’s fault that there’s less parody in the West compared to past years. Or are you bothered by the fact that the Heat beat 3 of the top 3 seeds which were all 50+ win teams to make the Finals?
That chart definitely explains why the Lakers or Celtics, or both, were in basically every Finals in the 1980s. Such a top-heavy league.
Wouldn't only two 50 win teams and but 10 teams with 42 to 52 wins suggest More parity rather than less parity?
Yes thanks for clarifying. More parity is what I meant. Both in terms of more teams being equal and spelling since I misspelled it lol.
Zach Lowe brought up some interesting points about the series in his podcast today. Talked about how Miami has used zone as one of its biggest weapons defensively so far this season and postseason and what might be a problem for them is that Denver was the 2nd best offense in the league when facing a zone and that specifically when Miami used zone against Denver in the regular season that Denver scored at will against it.
This is why I think the Nuggets win. I doubt they shoot that bad Plus I don't see them losing at home Rocket River
Career 18 5 and 5 guy best season is this year 23 6 5 and 2 stls I dunno . ..does not seem overly impress he gets in on "eye test" stuff Rocket River
Denver is clearly the favorite, but basketball is a quirky game. Sometime the shots fall and sometime they rim out. When the Heat's shooters get hot, last night can happen. If Herro comes back, that could really change things.
Saw some graph on Twitter and apparently Gordon's been defending Butler pretty good all season and i think we can all agree that Jokic's f*cking Adebayo with no vaseline so Nuggets 4-1.
What are his playoff numbers though? Especially the last 2 years? He’s the Anti-Harden. Shows up when it matters most. Of course you’d hate on him.
*eye* test? "What is Jimmy Butler averaging in playoffs? "); display: inline-block; height: 24px; width: 24px; transform: rotateZ(-180deg);"> During this regular season, Butler averaged 22.9 points. During 13 playoff games, he has averaged 31.5 points. During his career, he has averaged 18.2 points in the regular season and 22.1 points in the playoffs." If jimmy gets in the Hall . . .then HORRY SHOULD GET INTO THE HALL Rocket River Would you deny Rockets Legend Rocket Horry the Hall??
The long short of this series. . . . the Nuggets won me over They are the HEAT with just more Talent Similarly Strong Wills . . but Higher Skill Rocket River
Yes he passes the eye test, statistical, analytics, intangibles and every other test you can think of especially when it matters most. He’s a guy that truly elevates every statical category in the playoffs and is a real leader. Nobody has done more with less than him in getting his teams to 2 Finals appearances and an ECF in 3 years with that “supporting cast”. Robert Horry? That’s a random name to bring up when talking about Jimmy Butler. Quit trying to move goal posts.
For some reason advanced stats really like Jimmy. This season he is #4 in box plus-minus, #3 in win shares, and #6 in PER. I think it's because he's been very efficient from two point range (high FG%, lots of FTs, few turnovers) and does basically everything well, so even though his scoring volume isn't the highest, he's just really helping efficiently in every area while on the floor. His only obvious flaw is his 3P shooting, but even that's been up and down over his career and he doesn't take very many of them so even when it's not falling, it's not really hurting him much.
Spoelstra is an absolute no doubter right now. Butler by careers end(assuming health) will be a no doubter with or without a title. Take the stat Winshares for what you will, but as far as history goes it shows that if you are top 40ish in all time regular season winshares you are an absolute no doubt lock. Butler projects to finish right around that 40ish area, maybe even a bit better. That would already be enough regardless of a players playoff resume. Add in his playoff resume, again even if he doesn’t end up with a title, he has a real shot to finish in the top 20-30ish range of all time playoff winshares which again is no doubter lock territory for HOF.
True, but an 8th seed play in team, beating the all top 3 teams in the league on its way to a championship with no true 'super star', a team led by second round picks and G league guys, with its top shooter side lined.....kinda cool isn't?