The Nuggets are intent on ending the Western Conference Finals on Monday night, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN writes. Denver doesn’t want to give the Lakers a boost of confidence by failing to sweep the series. “We want to give them no hope,” swingman Bruce Brown said.
Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic believes the Lakers won’t go down quietly: “I’m not going to say that I’m scared. But I’m worried because they have (LeBron James) on the other side and he is capable of doing everything.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- A franchise that has never won the NBA championship is on the verge of reaching the Finals. Nuggets coach Michael Malone is excited by the possibility of ending the franchise’s drought. “I’ve never looked at the history of the Nuggets as a weight or a burden. I’ve looked at it as an opportunity to be the first team to win a championship,” Malone told Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post. “It’s never been about the pressure. This is an exciting chance to do something nobody in Denver Nuggets history has ever done. I want to write history. That’s what I want to do.”
- Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert went into a “dark retreat” last week, much like quarterback Aaron Rodgers did before he was dealt to the New York Jets, Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Gobert wrote on a social media that he spent “64 hours in full darkness.” It’s part of Gobert’s plan to have “the best summer” of his career as he looks to bounce back from an inconsistent first season with the franchise.
- Gobert’s former team, the Jazz, had a large presence at last week’s combine, Tony Jones of The Athletic notes. The Jazz conducted more than 20 player interviews during the combine and came away convinced they’ll get a solid player at the No. 9 spot. The Jazz also hold two other first-round picks at No. 16 and No. 28. They believe the draft is deep enough that they can nab a quality player at each spot, with a lead ball-handler high on their wish list.
Joker saying he’s worried because Lebron is on the Lakers annoys all of the Bron haters I’m sure
The following will rile up a few Warriors fans and further annoy the Bron Haters:
You just never know with Bron, he came back from a 3-1 deficit to win a championship against the best team money could buy.
2nd best.
Minnesota’s offense goes into a dark retreat when they toss the ball down to Gobert.
Lmao. Amazing.
Not bad. Although, I do think Gobert will have a much better second season with the Wolves.
He just needs to be less scared of getting injured. Didn’t seem to go after blocks as much as he used to during the earlier seasons with the Jazz.
Gobert couldn’t go after blocks because until they traded for Conley there was no perimeter defense. With Edwards and D-lo everyone was just hoisting 3s.
I could see the Jazz keeping all 3 picks and making the selections. Then they would make a bunch of trades with future picks.
For example, I’m hearing Kelly O + ’25 CLE pick for Kuminga.
Hopefully, they can do some 2 or 3-for-1 trades to free up spots for these young guys.
I wouldnt worry about Darvin Ham though…
Gobert’s past entire season, as was that of the Timberpuppies was spent in a “Dark Retreat”.
For real, the wolves were supposed to be good after the Gobert trade. But, they are average. Not looking like they could challenge Denver any time soon.
Losing Beverly did reveal their glaring weakness, perimeter defense. Conley at least stays in front of his man. However, without Jaden McDaniels their floodgates were essentially wide open.
I also found it odd that they didn’t play Jaylen Nowell more. He was really good against the Jazz. Maybe he makes too many mistakes? Don’t watch them enough to know for sure.