Nuggets (30-24) at Celtics (31-25) Game #57 2/11/22

[liam]

Denver's bench was shocking(ly bad).

C: Jokic, JayMychal Green
F: Aaron Gordon, Nanji
F: Jeff Green, Forbes
G: Barton, A.Rivers
G: Hyland, Campazzo

Even the starting lineup. Jokic is awesome. Aaron Gordon is a good starter. Barton is a solid starter. But Jeff Green? Hyland? Jeff Green is an average bench player. Hyland is a 3rd stringer.

Then the bench. Campazzo is a 3rd stringer. Forbes is a below average backup SG. A.Rivers is a below average backup guard (combo guard). No size on the wings. Far too small and timid perimeter corps. Then the bigs - JayMychal Green is fine but not great. More of a makeshift forward turned center break in case of emergencies option. I never even heard of this Nnaji guy before.

That is a terrible terrible bench.

And the starting lineup has two major holes in it as well which I guess happens when you lose two of your star players in M.Porter and J.Murray.

-------------------------------------

Two other takeaways from this bad bench:

(1) It made me respect what Jokic is doing even more in keeping Denver well into the playoff hunt (6th in West). Plus the individual numbers he is putting up despite teams being able to hone in him due to the terrible cast around. Super impressive.

(2) Boston's bench, well 8 man (future) rotation, stood out in contrast.

Guards: Marcus Smart, Derrick White
Forwards: Tatum, Jaylen, Grant Williams
Bigs: Rob Williams, Horford, Theis

8 legit NBA guys. They were able to rotate and manage their lineups wells to have quality on the floor at all times. It was that depth that set them apart.

The bench is more unreliable past that point - Pritchard, Nesmith, end of season newbies.

But that first 8 is rock solid.

I'm not convinced we have enough elite talent to win a title -- I believe we need a 3rd guy next to the Jays -- but with that depth, we can beat all other second tier teams and knock off a top team that has shaky depth.

They are going to be a real tough out in the playoffs.

Yeah I think Jokic is the clear MVP this year and it isn’t all that close.

I think it's Embiid but a case could be made for either.

[smokeablount]

I think Jokic leading the Nuggets to a #6 seed with Gordon, Monte Morris and Will Barton as his best support is a lot better than Embiid leading his team to a #5 seed with Tobias Harris, Curry and Maxey.

Jokic has to deal with more elite competition in the West, and he accounts for a lot more offense than Embiid with his facilitating. He’s also been remarkably competent on defense this year, good even.

[Celtics4ever]

Jokic is way more valuable to his team than Embiid, Who does Embiid make better?

[liam]

Jokic is way more valuable to his team than Embiid, Who does Embiid make better?

I don't want to defend Embiid. They are both good and either could be MVP for me.

[hwangjini_1]

Boy talk about a wild swing in fans on White.    I think it is a little irrational.   I liked the trade and like his play in the game but some folks are acting liked he is the second coming.

He is a good complimentary player, the kind we should surround the J's with, in my opinion.

so, you are new to this board?

[smokeablount]

Jokic is way more valuable to his team than Embiid, Who does Embiid make better?

Jokic has the worst supporting cast in the NBA. I’m watching them now and they missed 6 layups in 2 minutes. Without Jokic they’d be the literal worst team in the NBA and with him they’re the 6 seed.

[gouki88]

Jokic is way more valuable to his team than Embiid, Who does Embiid make better?

Jokic has the worst supporting cast in the NBA. I’m watching them now and they missed 6 layups in 2 minutes. Without Jokic they’d be the literal worst team in the NBA and with him they’re the 6 seed.

The Nuggets have one of the best offences in the league despite no Murray and no Porter Jr., which is insane. Jokic is incredible.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Jokic is way more valuable to his team than Embiid, Who does Embiid make better?

Jokic has the worst supporting cast in the NBA. I’m watching them now and they missed 6 layups in 2 minutes. Without Jokic they’d be the literal worst team in the NBA and with him they’re the 6 seed.

The Nuggets have one of the best offences in the league despite no Murray and no Porter Jr., which is insane. Jokic is incredible.

I was thinking about this the other day. Has Nikola Jokic earned more money for the meh players playing around him than anyone other than maybe Lebron James?

Think about the contracts that Barton, Harris, Beasley, Morris, Porter Jr., and Murray have gotten.

If i was a player in the NBA trying to land more than 1-2 year minimum deals and the Nuggets called, I'd agree immediately after they introduced themselves. I would then get in the best shape of my life and never stop sprinting at full speed on offense, waiting for Jokic to give me easy looks and boost my numbers.

[Kiorrik]

Boy talk about a wild swing in fans on White.    I think it is a little irrational.   I liked the trade and like his play in the game but some folks are acting liked he is the second coming.

He is a good complimentary player, the kind we should surround the J's with, in my opinion.

The second coming of Marcus Smart maybe :]

I for one am just stoked to have another solid player on the team.