Avalanche In Denver, What Happened To Playoff P?
After 4 games of action from Day 5 of the NBA Playoffs, I’m giving my thoughts on a specific topic. Today I will be covering the Denver Nuggets and “Playoff P”.
After 4 games of action from Day 5 of the NBA Playoffs, I’m giving my thoughts on a specific topic. Today I will be covering the Denver Nuggets and “Playoff P”.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets came into the playoffs short-handed but with high hopes. The #3 seed in the West faced another short-handed team, the Utah Jazz. And after a 135-125 Game 1 OT win, the Nuggets looked very good. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic worked masterfully again and the Jazz had no answer. But after that… the Nuggets kind of fell off.
In Game 2 Donovan Mitchell had 30 points on 70% shooting as the Jazz blew out Denver. Michael Porter Jr. and Jokic played well, but nobody else played great. The Nuggets scored just 105 points in Game 2, a far outcry from the 135 they scored in Game 2.
But, no biggie right? The series was tied 1-1, and the Nuggets would get right back in track. Even Charles Barkley said so, so it’ll happen, right? Wrong. The Nuggets looked even worse as Mike Conley, Gobert, and Donovan Mitchell killed the Nuggets from the tip and Denver got blown out again as they lost 124-87. Jamal Murray was the leading scorer with 12 points.
So Denver is in a bit of a predicament. Not only have they lost two games in a row and now trail 2-1 in the series, it’s the way that they have been losing. They went from 135 points behind explosions from Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic to scoring 105 and 87 points. Their offense and defense looks terrible and it might be time to start hitting that panic button.
The Nuggets are likely to be without Will Barton and Gary Harris for the rest of this series, so they will have to adjust. But with the way that the Nuggets played in Games 2 and 3, I feel that it is highly unlikely that the Nuggets find their footing. They can’t slow down the Jazz and they can’t even score themselves.
The Nuggets will need a dramatic chance in Game 4 to tie the series otherwise they will be heading back to the mountains.
“Playoff P”
Paul George, PG-13, Playoff P. All nicknames for one of the best players in the league. But this particular player has a history of not coming up big in the playoffs. In Game 6 of the 2018 fist round playoffs, George had just 5 points in 45 minutes.
In 2019, he couldn’t guard Damian Lillard in the playoffs and the Thunder lost to the Blazers prematurely. And George left for LA, teaming up with the best player in the world for a ring. Now George should have an easy job. He doesn’t have the ball in his hands all the time and gets better looks with all the weapons that the Clippers possess on the floor with him. He should be dropping 20+ points easily.
And yet, “Playoff P,” has been more of “Pandemic P,” these last few games. In Game 2 vs the Mavericks, George went 4/17 from the field and 2/10 from 3. He scored just 14 points and the Clippers lost. The series was tied 1-1.
Now in Game 3, you expected George to come out aggressive and assert himself. He would really give it to the Mavericks. No, instead he had 11 points on 3/16 shooting from the field.
So the man with many nicknames combined for 25 points on 7/33 shooting in Games 2 and 3. What? George should have the easiest job. Especially with Kawhi being great in this series, George shouldn’t have to do a whole lot. And yet he is struggling.
And while the Clippers manage to win these games, against the best teams in the West and in the East, this won’t work. Maybe against a team like the Mavericks. But not against the Lakers. Kawhi can be Kawhi, but if Paul George is cold, it makes it easier to guard Kawhi. Defenses can rest much. easier knowing that if Paul George gets the ball, he won’t do much.
George will have to play so much better for the Clippers to win. All he has to do is score 20+ points on decent efficiency. Nothing crazy. Kawhi is the man, and George helps him out. But if George doesn’t become “Playoff P,” then the Clippers are unlikely to win the title.
So, Paul George, just unleash “Playoff P,” we’re all waiting.
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