Dunc'd On Basketball NBA Podcast DEN/OKC Game 7; MIN/OKC Outlook; A Few More Free Agents
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May 18, 2025 The Oklahoma City Thunder's thrilling Game 7 highlights their strategic prowess despite injuries. Denver's journey raises questions about their future as contenders with Nikola Jokic. A sharp analysis of the Thunder's defensive tactics against Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle sets the stage for the upcoming series against Minnesota. The intricacies of NBA officiating come under scrutiny, while intriguing discussions about free agency lead to potential roster shake-ups. Who will reign supreme in the Western Conference Finals? Tune in to find out!
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Thunder's Defense Dominated Nuggets
- Oklahoma City Thunder's defense overwhelmed Denver by making every catch tough for Nikola Jokic.
- Alex Caruso's guarding of Jokic was key, involving disrupting passes and eliminating easy scoring opportunities.
Injuries Exposed Denver's Lack of Depth
- Aaron Gordon played through a grade two hamstring strain, which visibly limited his mobility and impact.
- Denver lacked other quality players to replace him, which severely hurt their competitiveness in the playoffs.
Denver's Championship Hopes Hinged on Health
- Denver could have won the series if Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. were healthy.
- Despite Jokic's brilliance, the team lacks the overall talent to be a tier-one championship contender now.