Despite losing game 7, the Denver Nuggets have huge upside in the future.
Losing game 7 was a huge disappointment to Denver Nuggets fans. However, this is only the beginning for the Nuggets Franchise.
In game 7, The Joker quickly set the tone and got players involved and was making his shots.The Nuggets in the first half were up by as many as 17 at one point. The balance the Nuggets exhibit was amazing in the first half. And many players were putting up points and playing great defense. Gary Harris was a beast! The Nuggets played their best defense all playoffs in the first half of basketball of game 7!
Damian Lillard struggled in the first half and was 1 for 9 from the field. He was also 0 for 4 from three point range. 0 for 4 from three point range. If not for CJ McCullum the Nuggets would have blown out the Trail Blazers in the first half. However, CJ McCollum kept Portland in the game and the game turned after Rodney Hood went down.
Nikola Jokic finished his first playoff appearance averaging 25.1 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 8.4 APG, .393 3P%, .506 FG%, and .845 FT%. At his age, his statistics are unparalleled among centers in the NBA. For perspective, Shaq at age 23 he averaged 25.8 PPG and 10.0 RPG. Patrick Ewing in his first playoff appearance averaged 18.9 PPG and 12.8 RPG.
This will not be the Joker’s last playoff run. Jokic has emerge as a top-10 player. And he has the potential to be an MVP in the future.
The Nuggets season was an overwhelming success from all perspectives. To win 54 games in the regular season, make the playoffs as a second seed, and finish the playoffs one win away from making the Western Conference finals is amazing. And the Nuggets were up in the half in game 7. This is a hell of a comeback from not making the playoffs for last 5 seasons. Denver is back!
The Portland Trail Blazers feature two of the most clutch veterans in the NBA in CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard. Damian Lillard even when his shot was not falling was making an impact in other ways.
In the first round Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic were able to led the Nuggets past the best coached team in basketball in the San Antonio Spurs. While the Spurs had DeMar DeRozan and Lamarcus Aldridge, the Spurs supporting cast was far less talented than what the Nuggets have on their Roster. The Nuggets have multiple players that can dribble, pass and shoot. And they have multiple scoring options.
In game 7, Joker was clutch, however, it showed that it was his first playoff appearance. He just could not close the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. And the young Nuggets choked under the pressure. This can only be corrected with more experience.
In many ways, the Nuggets were the better team, however, they did not have the experience to close out game 7 and win the series.
The Portland Trail Blazers kicked the Denver’s butt in the fourth quarter. And the Nuggets had no answer for CJ McCollum for the entire game.
The Denver Nuggets made rookie mistakes against the Portland Trail Blazers that cost them game 7 and the series. However, in the long-run, it may have been good for the Nuggets to lose this series. It maybe just want this young franchise needs to do to get to the next step.
The 2019 playoffs were differently a year for the Nuggets to develop. Most analyst expected the Nuggets to be out of the first round against the Spurs.
The series against the Trail Blazers showed the Nuggets that they needed more shooter and veterans on their team. Getting playoff experience is always good for any team.
If the Nuggets would have advanced, likely the young Nuggets would have been stood a chance against Warriors and would have lost badly.
Hopeful Denver Nuggets learn from this loss to the Trail Blazers and move forward. In the future they will definitely be more consistent.
The Trail Blazers showed why they were the better team in game 7: they were experienced, consistent, and showed up when it mattered. However, the Denver Nuggets can be better than the Trail Blazers in the future and compete for a championship