Colin Cowherd BLASTS Nuggets for giving Nikola Jokic NO HELP vs. OKC Thunder | THE HERD NBA
Speaking of better products, um Oklahoma City in a very competitive series. I mean, last night was a very competitive game. Uh I never bought into this. Denver is just going to, you know, you have the best player in the world um with Joic. It’s going to be a competitive series. The odds lead you to believe it was going to be it was going to be a sweep or a gentleman’s sweep and it wasn’t. OC won last night. Could have lost. Game was tied late. Uh so, congrats to OKC. beautiful roster construction. And that’s really what the league is about now. It’s about roster construction. Remember a few years ago, five years ago, it was like, “Hey man, you just got to get three great players put together.” New CBA doesn’t allow that. All these aprons can’t do that anymore. It’s about roster construction. Boston, OKC, what Houston and San Antonio are doing. It’s not about getting Luca and LeBron and let’s see if we can get Giannis. Doesn’t allow you to do that anymore. So, the story is not just OKC. Congrats to them. They’re going to be great for a long time. The story is Denver. They’re becoming, if they don’t make a move, Milwaukee. And you don’t want to be Milwaukee. Look at the teams right now that think they’re better than they are. Milwaukee the last three years, the Clippers and the Lakers. Denver’s not there yet because of Joic. They’re getting close. He is 285 pounds of duct tape. They don’t have a general manager, interim coach. It’s time outside of Aaron Gordon who is hyper athletic. It’s time to move off everybody but Jokic. Joic. Aaron Gordon. I would move or consider moving everybody because the Murray contract, Michael Porter, you’re locked into that stuff and they have value and they have moments especially Jamal Murray. But I mean Jokic in this series is putting up games that haven’t been duplicated since Wilt, you know, like multiple 40 15 and five games. That’s Wilt. And un meanwhile Oklahoma City has a one SGA has an ascending two Cadet Homegrren has a Swiss Army knife in Jaylen Williams and then has like multiple four or five high-end rotational players. If Joic isn’t feeling it, this team’s not I mean they have no offense. You saw him in one of the earlier games in this series when Joic just got guys bouncing off him didn’t have much. They don’t have much. So, and I and I think what happens in this league is if you go look at the NBA, and this is what I love about sports, not just the games. I love the cultural changes. I love analytics. I would prefer Manalytics. I think people have gone too far into analytics and the NBA now, the New York Knicks are a great example, are going to beat the analytics team everybody loves, Boston, because Manalytics hitting an occasional three, but really about physicality, leadership, resilient, toughness. manalytics to meet our analytics 30 40% and then 60% dudes in May or in the NFL dudes in December and January or in baseball in October. Um, and I think what happens is we’re seeing something in the NBA happen where it used to be kind of an easy solve if you were in beautiful Miami or Los Angeles. Hey, let’s just go get three guys. Wade, LeBron, Bosch, le let’s go get Anthony Davis and LeBron. You could just couple up, guys. Phoenix tried this. And then Phoenix found out, oh, the culture, the sand is moving beneath our feet. All these multiple aprons. Oh, the new CBA. It is all about roster construction, flexibility, lots of picks. You want to be Houston, OKC, Utah, and San Antonio. Boston’s been great, but they now because of the Tatum injury, they now have to make big moves. And it’s not I’ll just give you an example of this is that since the 2021 Aaron Gordon acquisition, Denver hasn’t made any moves. They haven’t making any They’re losing guys. They keep losing guys. No big swings. They need a massive swing. Jokic Gordon, move the furniture. Get new furniture. And I was thinking about this this morning is that Denver doesn’t have a GM. About four years ago, three years ago, we were looking at Denver like we look at OKC. We’re like, they win four titles. Uh they lost Tim Connelly was their GM. Since he’s left, he went to Minnesota. What team is now surging surprisingly in the NBA West? His team Minnesota and their roster construction. So it is now become NBA is becoming the NFL. start learning who the GMs are. Guy built Denver leaves go to Minnesota. Minnesota now is Denver. It was Jokic. They’ve got Ant. They’ve got their ascending star. And I I just think right now if Denver does not take a big swing. There are three teams in the West. And I think they think they’re better than they are. The old Warriors, the old Clippers, and the old Lakers. They have no chance to win a title. Denver doesn’t either, but they’re not yet Milwaukee because Joic is wilt. He’s literally unstoppable. But I think what’s happening is we’re seeing we’re seeing a sea change in the NBA with a new CBA. They’re not going to be any dynasties there. Even OKC, they’re not going to be any dynasties. The big three landing in your city don’t matter. Advantage, best front offices win. And that’s what you see in the NFL. Look who’s winning in the NFL. Little market Kansas City, Little Market Green Bay, Little Market Buffalo, Little Market. Uh, did I say uh uh Baltimore? New York team stink. Front offices run the NFL. That never happened in my life. It was always about getting the star. The new aprons, the new CBA, it’s all about roster construction. Denver needs its next superstar GM or they’re the Bucks by the middle of next year. That’s what they are. And congratulations to OKC. Our future is unbelievable. They just keep rolling guys out. Six or seven high-end rotational players. Uh here’s Joic by the way after the loss. Only since game second game was a kind of blowout and every every other game was kind of interesting game we were there. So I think we have a chance and uh we will we will play our best. Nicole hopefully you know it’s it’s a playoff. It’s a it’s a series. It’s an it’s a every game is different. So, uh, I think even today we had chances. We were up 12 in one moment. So, we just couldn’t couldn’t couldn’t couldn’t finish, couldn’t make shot, but one of the reasons they don’t finish as well is because Oklahoma City has so much energy at the end of these games. Yes, Denver has the best player. Oklahoma City’s got the roster and they just have fresher players at the end of games. This is not to say that Denver couldn’t have taken at seven, but when you watch these games, you had a you you could see the energy of OKC late games, it was obvious and they deserve to win this thing. Um, man, all those NBA players that said Hallebertton was the most overrated player in the league. J-Mack, this has been your team. you. So J-Mack was on Hallebertton was it two or three years ago and then he had a hamstring pull and that slowed his pace and he’s a guy that needs pace. So he was not the quite the same player for half the year but boy you talk about you talk about a difference maker. That kid is I mean they just took Cleveland out. You had to be surprised by how they took him out. Well you nobody expected it to be done in five games. But that being said, I, you know, you could just see the Cavs were not the same team in the playoffs that they were in the regular season. And you’ve alluded to this, that regular season in the NBA, just just forget it. Next year when we’re handicapping the playoffs, just ignore 64 win teams because it just doesn’t really matter. All right. Coming up next, uh, by the way, PFF, who I often disagree with, is aligned with us top to bottom on the off seasons that will turn losers into winners and winners into losers in the NFL. Same three teams I’m paying attention to.
Colin Cowherd reacts to the NBA playoffs. He discusses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeating the Denver Nuggets in Game 5. What will it take for Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Denver to mount a comeback to advance to the Western Conference Finals?
#nikolajokic #oklahomacitythunder #denvernuggets
50 Comments
MPJ should not be in NBA
That’s great to say but what team is taking MPJ or Murray contracts?
Everytime okc wins, yall point out the other teams flaws. How about okc is just good. Because just 3 months ago yall said okc was inexperienced. Yall have to be consistent
the refs are failing Jokic
Hey Colin! Instead of whining about Jokic teammates how about give OKC credit? Did Jokic not have 3 straight bad games? OKC has been the better team it's not like Jokic's teammates are failing him so bad. Did Aaron Gordon not come in clutch for them in their two wins?
analytics never claimed that goings 100 correctly, there alot feeling and eyes guys does claim that
Green Bay Baltimore and buffalo haven’t won any super bowls?
I think they all got to start cutting ✂️
for the slam
In the clutch quarter
starting in the second half.
breaking news!! 🤣
Lebron dragged a couple of teams to the Finals who had no business being there…the best player on the planet figures it out.
B.s man now the new thing is to complain if they don't win a title is hard that's why basketball is fun
NUGGETS DREAM OFF-SEASON: Keep roster identical but Trade Zeke, Strawther, Tyson & Saric, 2031 unprotected 1st rd pk, plus pk swaps(if needed)to Brooklyn for(2)first rd pks in the 2025 NBADRAFT those players NEED to be (Rasheer Fleming&Tyrese Procter) Sign Bruce Brown(Full MLE)&Jeff Green (Vet Min)
Jokic need to move from Denver PERIOD
Excuses is what I hear
Send him to Dallas.
I have rooted for MPJ to succeed for several years. NO MORE.
Michael Porter Junior is the biggest waste of resources in the history of the NBA.
Calvin Booth should be in prison for fraud. Just get one other player who deserves to be in an all-star game.
You have a generational, legendary talent on your hands.
I don't think you can f*ck up front office management this bad without meaning to do so.
I've been die-hard Nuggets since David Thompson. When they had the literal worst record in the league, I was court side.
This team management is worse than trading Kobe Bryant and 3 draft picks for Travis Knight, and then paying Knight the most you're allowed to pay him.
Jokic will leave. I know I have when I was in his position.
And if they do this kind of BS for one more season, I'm f*cking done until they change everything but Jokic.
colin lets hear suggest trades.
Totally agree, Denver needs to move everybody except Jokic (of course)
, Gordon and Christian Braun (not as a starter)… the rest needs to be traded – the question is though- is there any team(s) that want G-level players from Denver!?
I would also like to see Jokic being traded, the Denver organization failed massively! – show some respect to Jokic, and trade him so he can get a better chance to compete for championships on a another team.
Isaiah Hartenstein plays really well against Nikola Jokic on both ends. He rises to the challenge
Denver in 7
It would be beyond tragic if Denver doesn't win another Championship 🏆.
This is why I'm so proud and mind blown that my Thunder is able to beat this Nuggets Team .
The Nuggets just NEVER miss 3s and 2s. I'm confused at times how the Thunder came out on top.. excluding the Blowout win. Its been close the whole series since then.
My cheeks have been on the edge of my seat most of the time.
Going up 3-2 was massive and huge, it was not easy. We only need 1 more win from the next 2 games. But im not putting it past this Nuggets team to be able to still knock out my OKC team that the whole state soooooo desperately needs our first Championship. We know this team has all the tools to do this for the great state of Oklahoma. This state needs this more than anything in the world.
Let's go win one more Thunder! ⚡️🏀
This is an issue of MPJ. He’s shown repeatedly not to have the sauce. Also Westbrook being the most viable bench player. Play strawther more, he looked better than an exhausted team in the 4th
Just go get Jokic the Serbian national team it would still be competitive
The league is about Joy’s 🥜🧈🥫🥫
Colin saying 'congrats to OKC' and 'Denver couldnt go 7' like the series is over?? Does he know its 3-2?
Hes slowly coming around. The Pacers are WAY WAY WAY more then just Haliburton but at least He gave the Pacers a little shine
No one cared when it was George Hill or Rodney Hood out there missing shots. No sympathy for Jokic
What about Colin the 3 games Jokic been shut down. The first game his team mates don't show up you crying. His team mates been carrying him.
This the same Jokic that Kat shut down last year and threw up all bricks, with Murray scoring 35 in game 7 and they lost. Joker 3 pointers has been horrendous.🤡👈Colin
Yeah because it's not profitable for major league sports for the big markets to win, big markets will make their money regardless, win or lose, knicks & lakers etc will make their money. Small markets simmer down when their teams suck or are losing, specially when they don't even have hope to compete.
Lets give Jokic the same criticism we gave LBJ and Durant
MVP Arguments:
Jokic: best player in the league his stats are historical, he can manipulate games, his skill are incomparable he also a playing coach, he carry his team to second round playoffs with organizational conflicts.
SGA: he is in the best team.
NBA is cooked! No one is watching.
This is the first good stuff Colin had said about OKC, and he didn't say much.
Holmgren, SGA, and J-Dub are great. They will be the future faces of the league. They are great dudes, funny, and very talented.
you dont know what real no help means
Murray is good. Porter is atrocity. And it is insane that they couldnt find ANY BACK UP CENTER I MEAN ANY! For God sake even some center from Europe can grab 5 rebounds and has 4-5 points. They couldnt arange even that🙄 Booth said " we have Jordan" freaking unreal delusional statemant.
Denver have players but Adelman and Malone dont use!!! They forme terrible narativ that Zeke and Šarić are unplayable! They are more playable than Porter! Porter is insanely bad defender weakness.
Somebody tell Colin what this series isn’t over yet and can still get to a game 7.
Didn’t he win with this team?
I agree, bravo. Finally someone comes out and tells the truth. Absolutely realistic, naturalistic, abstract, thinking for those who want to see the "big picture" and not just excuses like: oh MPJ was good considering he was injured, I think 30 minutes with 2 points. Really? So who let him play like that? Well, you know, we don't have players from the bench? And you don't, so how do you think you can beat OKC? Well, you know, if Jokic scores 45, but only if he scores 57 or like against Minnesota 61 or if he sets a playoff record, imagine only that 90 50 30 … that's a fantasy, there's nothing to it! I completely agree with this gentleman. Jok,and AG stay,no one ellse
Ummmm….is this not the same denver roster that just won a championship? LMAO Porter obviously is playing through an injury. You can make the argument Denver needs a couple more bench players but this team still is championship caliber. They're just going up against a historically great team in OKC.
Name 1 championship team without great roster…
Colin just ensured a Nuggets win tonight, it’s going seven games. Thanks Colin!
They have to move MPJ he is a waste of space 5 points in 2 games! Joker needs at least one more reliable 15 to 20 point getter. CWP or Brown replacements.
I’m not giving up Jamal Murray. We might have to do something where he can’t even play in the regular season he can only play in the playoffs😭😭
What do yall want them to do? Not every superstar can be on a team like the 2017 GS Warriors. Its not realistic
Jokic is a damn aircraft carrier!
you could make the argument that quite some of these Thunder players have turned into much better players than expected. And you could also make the argument that OKC slowly built the culture with and then around SGA. Watch some games in his first year at OKC. How many shots has he missed there and how easy it was for the opponent to make him miss. You could already see the incredible movement but rarely crowned by buckets.
And that is the biggest difference now.
It used to be like this in the past, no?!
Franchises from the bottom half getting the biggest tickets at Draft day and year after year building their roster – with some level of patience.
With everything being "fast food" today, it' s no difference with expected success.
Every business owner knows the Golden rule: it takes at least 5 years to run a successful business from scratch.
These playoffs prove the NBA regular season no one tries lol