As Raptors’ fans we’re probably gonna have an adverse reaction to this take, and while I don’t agree with it, I think it’s worth having some light hearted conversation and breakdowns about it
Have the Nuggets had too easy of a path to the finals? Kinda the benefits of being first in the regular season, so they earned it.
I think the only way to analyze this is to assume everyone is healthy.
How much impact does Marc Gasol have on Jokic?
Who on Denver stops Kawhi? Aaron Gordon?
Lowry is still influential in the finals right now, and we all saw what a younger healthier Lowry can do. I don’t know if the Nuggets have that kinda leadership on the court.
I’m taking Lowry of Jeff Green any day, lol.
OG would also have to be healthy for that match up, because it’s simply about the teams, but if you prefer to leave him out you can.
It would also be interesting to see who you guys would rank as the top 5 of these 9 teams in the pic above.
Is Denver actually the best on this list? Does anyone, including us, beat a healthy 2019 Warriors?
Picture source: https://youtu.be/x52YMtVDAAM (start at 4:09 min mark for Bill Simmons quote).
![[Podcast P] Paul George believes Sct Brn’s defence is slept on and that he can be an All Defense First Team Guy/DPOY](https://www.rawchili.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/FetjoKroBbM8Jkkdgp3wzcKQeh2Cpe2RpQEAk2TR1bY-560x336.jpg)
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Idk with these theoretical questions. But I would say we faced stronger competition than the Nuggets have.
It would be close with the size, length, and depth we had.
Bill Simmons said this to create an excuse for Boston losing. He’s also permanently afflicted with recency bias. Denver is great but not that great, and when this is all over people will get better perspective again.
Kawhi
He was talking about the teams as they appeared in reality.
If we’re talking everyone at full hypothetical strength the answer is the Warriors with healthy KD – ain’t nobody beating that team.
He didn’t see the Raptors in person in 2018-2019 lol.