How the Nuggets upset the Clippers | Keys to the comeback 

The Athletic promo link: www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketball -- I'm very interested to see if the Nuggets offense (and especially Jokic) can sustain these advantages against a much bigger Laker team and Anthony Davis. Let me know your thoughts!

He really said "Kawhi playing against the Cavs on Tuesday night instead of a passing god"

Was not prepared for the new intro without the "Harden has hit it 20 times"

“Which wide open teammate he wanted to hook up with” perhaps that’s the secret to the Nuggets’ chemistry

Skinny Jokic, Serbian Larry Bird, Sweet honey... How many Jokic nicknames do you want Ben: Yes yes

Somebody drops 40 in a crucial game Thinking Basketball: Time to make a video...(inserts promo)

Did the Clippers choke or the Nuggets beat them? Yes.

Jokic was in complete control in this series. It was incredible to watch.

That Flagrant 2 from Beverly, the refs didn't even look at it. Disgusting.

All around you see these analyst talking about how LAC is a huge disappointment and how they dropped the ball against Denver, but the same analysts say nothing about a Denver team that has come back from 3-1 twice in 1 postseason. Big respect for that Denver Nuggets organization, their players, and their coach for giving us some of the most memorable playoff series we have seen in years.

Here before George Paul hits the side of the backboard again

Damn right Jokic is a passing god!

He just uploaded two videos in two days. I was so excited when I heard that he uploaded again.

In 2 seasons Jokic already showed the NBA he's the greatest passing center ever. So glad people are realizing he's a passing god. Kept telling my friends about him and now they see the light.

I doubted Murray even last year he had amazing. But now he looks like legitimate all-star. Great analysis, as always.

What I notice about Murray, every season, but less so during these playoffs. He rarely gets too involved early. Makes easy passes and will take easy shots. Sometimes he doesn't even get a touch, especially if he is not bringing the ball up. When things get tight, and I mean later in the game 3rd or 4th quarter, the team tends to rely on Murray. This means that for most of the game theiopponents have almost forgotten about him. Even in the playoffs, and after huge games... he goes slowly until later in the game. Is this to lull the defense to sleep on him? Especially if they key on him early, he doesn't try to force play... just let the others play their game and his gravity alone makes them better. Jokic draws attention start to finish, but teams tend to get lazy when he floats behind the 3-pt line, almost non-chalantly. By now, they have to worry about Murray who can drive, shoot the pull up jumpers and floaters, and gets creative at the rim. After he burns them down low, he usually takes a couple of threes immediately because teams have begun to back off waiting for him to drive. He makes them pay either way, but he always (this year) looks for the pass, the open man even while working for his shot. He doesn't need much room and Jokic always knows where he is on the court. The passing between these two is outstanding, and it makes passing to others easier. As long as grant and Morris hit open threes (and now Porter), the nuggets are going to be hard for LA to contain. However, Nugs cannot contain AD or LeBron. They get to the spots and the shots they want. look for them to involve less players (maytbe Cuzma) and use Caruso as a bailout. Betting he doesn't take 4 shots next game. LeBron will drive every chance and AD will back under the rim every touch or hit the turnaround that he rarely misses. LeBron and AD will launch threes and the Lakes will try not-so-successfully to run Denver off the line. One of them will be open... will they make LA pay? my guess is Denver wins another close one then LA buckles down and finishes them off. I do think Murray waits till third and fourth quarter to play, if only because the team isn't being as effective. he and Jokic will go exclusively to the picj and roll two man game late in fourth.

Can you do a video on the evolution of defense...how it has now become versatile and post defence is not really needed...and how it's so much more difficult to be a good defender now

I click on these videos with an urgency I don’t have in any other part of my life

Damn two uploads in a week and I asked for this topic last vid? Ben really reads the comments

Just admit it we all watched the other youtube content waiting for the big boy TB to upload.

"40 IS A BIG NUMBER" Is the best quote ever don't @ me.

The thing here to know is If you double Jokic: His Vision and passing skill finds an open man. If you do 1-1 defence: His skillset is too hard for a regular big man to handle However Anthony Davis is a brilliant post defender and a perimeter defender. So you don't necessarily need to double Jokic. Would be interesting to see how the Lakers- Nuggets series goes

Nuggets Heat might be the most fun finals matchup I’ve ever seen

Literally died when you called boy "Big Honey" at 4:14.

4:57 that nasty pass in game 7

Have you thought about making the GOAT argument about yourself as the best YT bball channel?

I love that you're posting more often and on very recent events. Please continue if you can, you always offer great content!

I love the recent frequent uploads. Probably the best NBA content/analysis on any platform.

Amazing content as always! I'm curious to see how Jokic ranks all time as a passer. I'm sick of hearing people state that Jokic is barely a top 10 passer in the league.

This channel is literally where I get all my basketball content. Great video as always!!!

Thanks for the great content !

Top playoff coverage dawg keep grinding

You are such a blessing to basketball fans thanks for all the work you do.

Good work my dude! Great video!

Thank you so much for putting this time and effort to make quality basketball content for us especially during this pandemic. A lot of NBA "creators" nowadays just discuss topics for the sake of quantity. And just pulling things out of thin air, thinking they made a greater contribution to the conversation. Keep up the quality content my g, no doubts you will get there to the top. Just trust the process (pun intended, I have to) 👊

Bro you are going off with the uploads!!!

Let's gooo! I am loving the playoff content!

I love these Jokic breakdowns it’s watching a true master at work

We want a Miami heat video!🔥🔥 great job with these. Your descriptions and details are on point, keep doing this great work!💪🏻

Those shots Murray’s were making, oh my god. And jokic’s one legged jumper

I LOVE your breakdowns....so 👍

Thanks for this, I love basketball but I never understand what is happening on a tactical level!

Great breakdown as always! I love that for every move the clippers tried to make defensively, the nuggets had a counter. Especially when Jokic got doubled and you had one cutter and then everybody rotates and you just move the ball at that point.

A lot said about this series. Good selection of clips to show Clips' struggles

"Sombor shuffle off of one leg" Hahahhah you got a serbian sub over here!

Great video. Really shows how good is the Murray Jokic duo. Even Jokic alone completely wrecked and outsmarted the best defensive players in the league im Kahwi and George (maybe a bit overrated now in hindsight)

Great video

I think this series was a testament to Doc Rivers' coaching abilities. What became evident was that he had no clue how to adjust to Denvers adjustment after being down 3-1, and it led to the comeback. I know a lot of other factors went into it but damn Rivers really dropped the ball on this one

Great breakdown

Great video, but can you please start posting videos in 1080p?

LETS GO! Cracking out good content, that's what we like!

4:59 how is pat Bev gonna be the one who ends up on the floor? What a joke man.

I’ve been waiting on this vid forever

My favorite NBA RU-vidr. #ThinkingBasketball

Great analysis. I was bitter after they knocked the Jazz out of round 1 but credit to them, they are playing some amazing basketball right now. This has really helped to appreciate what they are doing

*Kawhi looking at the Raptors "Hey, hey, hey".

Doc really just looked at Jokic and said: "Ah yes, one the greatest passers ever?! Let's double him! Magic Johnson? Never heard of him! Steve Nash? Who? You gotta double great PASSERS , right guys" ?!

Great content. How do you have so little subs?

Joker's vision is probably one of my top 3 all time favorite skills in the NBA

No one: Think basketball: 40 Is A bIg NuMbEr

I know I'm late, but this was a great video

Am a clippers fan and am sad how things ended but I am happy for nuggets mike Malone coached his ass off nikola and Murray 2 man game is like pick you’re poison I’m rooting for nuggets to finish this

Do you think Jokic could end his career as the greatest passer period? Like the single greatest passer of the basketball in the history of the sport.

Expect Gary Harris to be a huge factor in the Lakers series, he's been looking like his old self after finally getting over all his injury issues

Two videos in two days? I must be dreaming, this is heaven

Hearing the sentence. 'Jokic 44% on 3 points needs to come back down to earth after playoff run 2years later where he ended on 46%

Best Basketball Analysis out there.

Great analysis! What should/could the Clippers have done differently to maximize their team defense?

The vernacular is on fleek

So, if the odd gods are working....Denver will win game 1, Laker win 2-4, and Denver wins 5-7...right???

You know idk abt anyone else but ball can be a fantastic escape for me and I’m always learning and watching these videos just puts me in a good mood. Also, anyone reaching this I hope you have a beautiful day and life :) !!

Really insightful analysis ! Looking forward to the Lakers Nuggets matchup

“There’s few players alive that can match his shot matching” - I immediately got reminded of Kobe 😢

Good vid

Yes, I love the shuffle!

5:48 And the corner was coming so there was also a catch and shoot or fake hand off possibility at the very least, increasing what the Clips had to calculte, awesome for the guy to take initiative. Edit: Ooops he said the same right after

Any good book recommendations ?

Thanks

That big honey 🍯 nickname to Jokic made me laugh so hard HAHAHAHA

Jokic has been the Playoffs MVP so far, and if he keeps that pace going, he will surpass Manu Ginobili as the greatest 2nd round pick of all time!

Are you going to do a top 10 players in the nba like you did last year?

Man these nikola jokic dimes are sick and they’re against kawhi and pg

I predicted that there is a 74% probability that the Lakers are going to beat the Nuggets 4-2. But I won’t rule out if the Nuggets play berserk like they did in game 1, game 5, 6 against the Jazz or like they did in game 5-7 against the Clippers. There is a chance that the Nuggets can sweep the Lakers to the finals. Now that they are more rested. The clippers were lucky to catch a break from a tired Nuggets team after a grueling series against the Jazz. I think the Nuggets could have bested the Clippers 4-2. But yea, I always thought had Donovan not committed that 8-second violation, they would have swept the Nuggets. Or had Conley played better in game 7 and made 1 more FG than 2 total FGs, the Jazz would have advanced. The Jazz are not good at FT shooting, that’s a big loophole in their game. I believe the Lakers will play to their strength, which is length and speed to cruise past the Nuggets in game 1. We’ll see if what happens tonight

Yoooo 2 videos in 3 days?

Teams not having home court advantage has made the playoffs much more competitive

Could you do a video about Bam’s defensive gravity in game 2 it was so apparent without him on the floor the heat got absolutely shredded. He’s been the defensive superstar that Rudy Gobert is supposed to be.

“SERBIAN LARRY BIRD OVER HERE” there are so many quotables in this🔥

Nice analysis. Damn, you made the exact same comparisons that I have considered: Murray-Isiah Thomas (or microwave Dumars), and Jokic - Nowitzki. Murray's only draw back is that he is not a natural leader. He's basically quiet/private and sometimes defers to lesser quality players. Jokic appreciates his talent and the feeling is mutual, thus the two man game that is deadly. Unfortunately, everyone else wants to share the spotlight at times. When they let the natural game develop (both Murray and Jokic are willing passers) they are much better than when they force sharing the ball with everyone.

Maybe just maybe it's not really an upset like people think? I'm a Nuggets fan, so that means I was aware of them before the bubble started while everyone else was snoozing. The Nuggets have been top 3 in the West for 2 years now. Did the Clippers accomplish anything to warrant all the recognition or were people just handing them preseason awards and praise? We know that answer. The same Nuggets roster was just a few points from the Western Conference Finals in 2018-19 too...

4:40 Jokic's "slow motion speed" is a funny way to describe it, but it make sense. The defender has to honor the pull up and once the defender leans toward him he can get past his defender or draw a foul.

You’re the best channel out there please more videos

You are about the only one ive seen giving nuggets credit and not just smashing on the clippers

Let's be honest. Kawhi's best defense is behind him. He's idling half the game and rarely makes good reads anymore. He has highlights plays every once in a while to continue the perception that he's elite, but he gets blown by a lot by perimeter players.

He called it Sombore shuffle!!! We did it

Woah two days in a row

a reddit post on r/nba brought me - great channel

U didn’t have to insult my Cavs like that 🤣🤣🤣 but I get it

This series will test vogels defensive coaching abilities for sure

Wonderful analysis. My main question though after watching this is why were the Clippers doubling Jokic? It seems like he'd be more limited if they had just played straight up man to man. I'd imagine you'd prefer him to shoot a fadeaway 14 footer rather than double him, forcing him to pass to the wide open 3 or cutter..

Please make more videos