This week on the Daly Dose, we are discussing the terrible smoke that we have been experiencing in the Mile High region and who we are blaming for it, if it ruins our Memorial Day plans.
Finally, with all of the playoff surprises this season in the NBA, we are counting down the Top 5 most surprising NBA playoff teams in history!
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) collides with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) in the second half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Final series Monday, May 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
This week on the Daly Dose YouTube video, we are seeing a very disturbing trend in athletics that has no upside, and the NFL may have some future problems that are lurking under the radar!
The Denver Nuggets made history on Monday night, as they swept the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals by a final score of 113-111.
Yes, they made the first NBA Finals in franchise history.
In 47 seasons, the Nuggets had never been to an NBA Finals. To be honest, they really hadn’t been that close. In 2020 they lost to the Lakers in five games. In 2009, the Lakers eliminated them in six games. In 1985 it was the Lakers in five. Back in 1978, the Seattle Supersonics stopped them in six games.
This time around, it was the Nuggets sending the Lakers home in four straight. The very first playoff sweep of an opponent in Nuggets history.
The Nuggets had to get past Lakers superstar Lebron James, who had only been swept out of the playoffs two times in his 20 year career.
Lebron didn’t go quietly, scoring 40 points, but only managing two points in the final quarter.
On a day that former Nugget Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement from basketball, Nikola Jokic left no doubt who the greatest Nugget in history is.
In finishing off the Lakers, and being named the Western Conference MVP, Jokic had 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.
For the series, he averaged 28 points, 14.5 rebounds and 12 assists.
Not bad for a guy that couldn’t make ESPN commentator Mark Jackson’s MVP ballot.
Yet for all of these accomplishments that the Nuggets have achieved in this historic season, there is a different type of history that this team has accomplished.
They didn’t have excuses.
None.
The Lakers had history on their side. They have 17 championships. The Nuggets haven’t even been to the Finals.
The Lakers have Lebron James. The Nuggets have a big Serbian whose playing style resembles more Magic Johnson than Vlade Divac.
The Nuggets starting point guard Jamal Murray was fighting sickness to start this series, but you would never know it from his play on the floor.
Jamal Murray points to Mike Breen and calls "BANG" after hitting the three 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NkwgqB1qsK
Murray averaged 32.5 points for the series, and constantly found ways to make clutch plays with games on the line.
The Lakers shot 107 free throws to Denver’s 81, despite the fact that most of the Nuggets free throws came late in games, when the Lakers were forced to foul to stop the clock.
This is the true difference between this Nuggets team and the ones from previous seasons.
This team made no excuses.
They could have folded their tents on Saturday night when they found themselves trailing midway through the fourth quarter. If they had, then this series would have suddenly been close again.
Instead, the Nuggets went on a 13-0 run to retake the lead, and never relinquished it again. The win gave Denver a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Nuggets could have decided that last night just wasn’t their night, when Lebron opened the game with 31 points in the first half, and every call was going in favor of the Lakers.
Instead of spinning the “we wanted to close the series at home” narrative, this team stormed back from a 15-point halftime deficit to close the series out, and get a much needed rest.
This team doesn’t make excuses. They don’t worry about the things they can’t control. They just go out and make more plays than their opponents.
That fact should bode well for a team headed to their first NBA Finals in franchise history.
Plus, the sport of boxing keeps embarrassing themselves, and the XFL has a surprising end to their season!
Then, we are previewing the 2023 NFL schedule that was released last week. Which teams appear in prime time the most? Who gets the Thanksgiving and Christmas Day games? We also preview some of the more interesting games that will be coming each week.
Finally, with Ja Morant apparently trying to shoot down his own career, we countdown the Top 5 NBA players that completely ruined their careers!
This week on the Daly Dose YouTube video, with Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant getting in trouble again, we countdown the Top 5 NBA players that ruined their own careers!
The Denver Nuggets ran past the Phoenix Suns in six games in their Western Conference Semifinal series. Nikola Jokic averaged an insane 31 points, 10 rebounds and 9.5 assists and the Nuggets blew the Suns out in Phoenix to end the series.
Now the Nuggets move on to the Western Conference Finals, a destination that has never been kind to this franchise.
In their 56 years of existence, the Denver Nuggets have gone to the NBA Conference Finals four times. They have never won, and advanced to the NBA Finals.
Tonight, they begin their fifth series to try to advance to the Finals.
Can the fifth time be the charm?
The path to the Conference Finals
With the Denver Nuggets earning the top seed in the West, and the Los Angeles Lakers slotted at the No 7 seed, it is only fair that the Lakers have faced more competition. While the Nuggets dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves in their opening series, at times Denver struggled against the Phoenix Suns. When the Nuggets worked hard defensively, and their role players stepped up, they were too much for Phoenix. When their effort faded, and their bench failed to produce, they had their hands full.
The Los Angeles Lakers have taken a much tougher road. The Memphis Grizzlies took them to six games, and then they had to eliminate the defending champion Golden State Warriors. They managed to do so in six games. Sure, the Warriors have looked vulnerable all season, but you still have to beat the champs.
Advantage: Lakers
Nikola Jokic vs. Anthony Davis.
The two talented big men will play a major role in this series. Jokic is an absolute monster at the offensive end, and finds a way to get the Nuggets into quality shot opportunities. However, he must play top notch defense against Davis, if the Nuggets are going to advance. Davis is a great shot blocker. Jokic has an advantage in strength. Davis also leads the league in highly dramatic apparent injuries, only to return to action minutes later.
Advantage: Nuggets
Aaron Gordon vs Lebron James
At the age of 38, Lebron James is still playing excellent in this postseason. Averaging 23 points 10 points per game against the Grizzlies and Warriors is no small feat. Gordon could be a step below those teams, and if he gets into foul trouble, things will get much worse. Still, you do wonder if the athletic Gordon could give Lebron’s stamina some trouble.
Advantage: Lakers
Guard play
If there looks to be a way to attack these Nuggets, the Phoenix Suns showed that it might be best to beat their guards. Devin Booker was able to attack them off the dribble, as well as drive and kick to shooters on the perimeter. If the Nuggets are unable to shut down D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves from doing the same, it will be a big disadvantage.
Russell and Reaves will also have the task of controlling Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. When Murray gets hot, he can carry the team by himself, and yet a cool Murray can shoot the Nuggets right out of the game too. Porter is capable of lighting things up offensively, especially over the Lakers smaller guards, but can be a liability defensively.
Advantage: Nuggets
Officiating
During their series with Golden State, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr accused the Lakers of flopping to earn foul calls from the officials. Lebron disagreed. “That’s just not us. It’s never been — it’s actually never been any team that I’ve played on in my 20 years, where we’ve been a flopping team.” Who are you going to believe? Lebron, or your own lying eyes? It clearly worked. The Lakers were whistled for just 97 fouls compared to the Warriors 139. Golden State shot just 80 free throws, while L.A. doubled them up with 160 attempts.
In their entire history, the Nuggets have never been a friend of the NBA officials.
— DELZ aka THE SNEAKER ADDICT (@djdelz) May 14, 2023
Final verdict
Is Nikola Jokic capable of leading the Nuggets past a very good team, if he doesn’t get significant help from his teammates? The Lakers will need Davis and James to be their best players, and their bench must give them a decided advantage.
Who will the X-Factors be? Can the Nuggets get production from Kentavious Caldwell Pope, a player that was left on the scrap heap by the Lakers a couple of years ago? Could Jeff Green make an impact with his shooting or rebounding? Can the Nuggets decided homecourt advantage hold up? Or can they find a way to grind out a win or two on the road?
History says Lakers. I just can’t bring myself to do it.
The Kentucky Derby was won by Mage, but there was also some disturbing news coming out of Churchill Downs and we do our best to solve a big mystery in horse racing!
The University of Alabama athletic department needs to reevaluate their program, and Bronny James makes a big decision that could have a big impact on his family!
Then, we are taking a look at some of the top contenders in Major League Baseball this season! Who are the teams that are actually capable of making a run clear to the World Series? There just might be a few surprises on our list. We also take a look at some of the pretenders in the league this year, including a few teams that are usually on the contender list!
Finally, our Daly Dose Top 5 is counting down the five horses that struggled the most in the Kentucky Derby!
This week on the Daly Dose YouTube video, we discuss the recent running of the Kentucky Derby, as well as solve the mystery of the dying horses in horse racing!
May 7, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Denver Nuggets in the first half during game four of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets had a chance to prove everyone wrong.
While most of the experts saw them earn the No 1 seed in the NBA Western Conference Playoff and rolled their eyes, the Nuggets had a chance to get their attention.
Denver took Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals by a score of 125-107, with guard Jamal Murray leading the way with 34 points.
Most of the media shrugged.
In Game 2, the Nuggets held the Suns to just 87 total points, and guard Chris Paul left with groin injury. The Nuggets held on for a 97-87 win to take a 2-0 lead.
The media raised their eyebrows. Maybe this team was actually different from past Denver teams.
Then, with an opportunity to put their foot firmly on the throat of the Suns, the Nuggets relaxed.
They allowed the Suns to score 121 points in Game 3, and then follow that up with a net-scorching 129 points in Game 4.
Can home court advantage really account for a thirty-point swing per game?
Sure, NBA officials tend to give the home team a few extra calls. Don’t even get me started on the Game 4 technical that was assessed to Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, for trying to retrieve the basketball from the Phoenix team owner Mat Ishibia.
Since when can a fan in the stands draw a technical against a player on the floor? And the fact that he is a team owner has even more disturbing implications.
Can Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban now steal basketballs from players in hopes of drawing technicals too?
I know the NBA has a flopping problem, but who would have thought the owners would be participating in it?
But I digress. This can’t all be blamed on the inconsistent officiating.
The Nuggets have changed the way they are playing.
In their first two home games, the Nuggets minimized the Phoenix fast break points (they averaged just 17 points per game), and they were playing better defense without fouling. The Suns shot 46% from the field, and averaged just 11 free throws per game.
That all changed in Games 3 and 4. Phoenix scored 22.5 points on fast breaks, they shot 54% from the field, and they averaged 24 free throw attempts per game.
In Games 3 and 4 Suns guard Devin Booker averaged 42 points per game with Kevin Durant scoring 38 per game.
The Nuggets now return home for what could be the most pivotal game in the series. In NBA history, the winner of Game 5 is 147-33 to go on to win the entire series.
The Nuggets have to get back to their defensive ways tonight.
In Game 4 Jokic scored 53 points, and Murray poured in 28. In all, five Nuggets players scored in double digits.
It still wasn’t enough.
If the Nuggets are going to have any chance of advancing to the conference finals, they must limit the Phoenix fast break, and get back to playing sound defense without fouling.
Otherwise, this season will be yet another example that these are just the same old Nuggets.
Then, we are joined by some friends of the Dose to recap the 2023 NFL Draft!
We saw a number of surprises and a record number of trades take place this year, but who were the true winners and losers from this draft?
We begin by looking at some of the top stories from the offseason. The Baltimore Ravens signed QB Lamar Jackson to a record contract, the New York Jets made that monster deal for Aaron Rodgers, and the Washington Commanders finally got rid of owner Daniel Snyder!
Then, we discuss which teams were able to find true value in the NFL Draft, which player’s father made the most of an opportunity, and why every single team was somehow able to draft EXACTLY who they were hoping to get.
We also play a very challenging game of NFL QB trivia with our panel, and then we turn our attention to some of the biggest losers in the draft!
Which teams may have overreached? Which quarterbacks did not get any help from their franchises? And which of the silly draft cliches make the least sense?
We answer all of these questions and much more this week on the Dose!
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