The 2021-2022 NBA playoffs are about to begin, and now there is only one most playoff spot left in the East and West that has not been determined, and the remaining pairs have basically been determined, and in the West, the most noteworthy for fans should be the Golden State Warriors' game against the Denver Nuggets.
Many fans and the media are very optimistic about the Warriors eliminating the Nuggets, but if the Warriors want to eliminate the Nuggets, these three aspects of the Warriors must be taken seriously.
1. Defense of the inside line against Jokic
Although the Nuggets entered the playoffs as the sixth in the West, the record is not very good, but this season Jokic's performance is really outstanding, Jokic not only became the first player in history to get 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a single season, the comprehensiveness is self-evident, which is definitely a huge challenge for the Warriors' defense.
Recently, Nuggets head coach Malone said that Green is expected to appear in the fifth position to defend Jokic. Although Green has excellent defensive ability, but in the face of Jokic, who is tall and weight superior to his own, it is difficult to determine whether Green can cause trouble for Jokic on the inside, but if the Warriors use other interior players to defend Jokic, this is undoubtedly the head.
2. Murray's comeback
Recently, Nuggets head coach Malone said that Murray, who was injured last season, has participated in part of the team's training and is likely to return in the series against the Warriors.
Recently, Tim Connelly, president of Nuggets basketball operations, recently gave an interview to the media about jamal Murray' situation, and Connelly said that whether Murray can return this season will depend on himself. Connelly said Murray's comeback in the middle of the first round of the playoffs is possible.
This is definitely not good news for the Warriors, Murray's comeback, if in good shape, will definitely cause great pressure on the Warriors' outside defense, but also to the inside of Jokic to open up more offensive space, such a combination of inside and outside, whether the Warriors' defense can resist, this is a very big question.
3. Curry's state determines the Warriors' success or failure
The last flaw comes from the Warriors themselves, after this year's All-Star Game, Curry's form is not very good, the season ended, Curry's three-point shooting rate is 38%, you know, except for the 19-20 season (this season Curry only appeared in five regular season games), Curry's career season three-point shooting rate is not less than 40%.
After Curry's injury, the Warriors' record has declined all the way, although Thompson's state has gradually returned, but the Lack of Curry's Warriors, it is really difficult to win the game, as NBA celebrity A-Smith said, if the Warriors do not have Curry, it is difficult to defeat the Nuggets, even if Curry is about to return, but the state has not returned, the Warriors want to beat the Nuggets, it is indeed not an easy thing.
These three points are the biggest obstacle for the Warriors against the Nuggets, especially Curry, even if Poole and Thompson have superhuman play, it is not easy to win four Games of the Nuggets in the series.