The #3 seeded Golden State Warriors are expected to win their first-round playoff series matchup against 6th seed Denver Nuggets. Although the Nuggets are missing major players due to injuries, they still have last season's league mvp, Nikola Jocic, aka..."The Joker." As it stands, the Joker is expected to win this season's mvp as well. He has proven himself a force in the NBA.
Last night the Warriors took the joker out of his comfort zone, making him a mere punchline in a joke gone bad. Golden State was simply too fast & furious on offense, and tenacious on defense for the Nuggets to contend with for four quarters.
This Warriors small line-up is a scary reminder of their "Run TMC" days with coach Don Nelson, Sr. Those teams were competitive and very exciting to watch, but without a true big man, always fell short in the playoffs, delivering no championships. Difference today is they have the greatest basketball shooter ever in Steph Curry, an upcoming star in Jordan Poole, and an experienced championship pedigree built by its core players.
Sure, it's only the Denver Nuggets. And sure, the Warriors are expected to win this series. But the team synchronicity, athleticism and intelligence they've shown in two playoff games, makes it hard to deny their inevitable return to an NBA Finals; Phoenix Suns be damned!
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