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Do you pronounce “brown” like “brown” or “brown”?
rivercMurray Triple Up
Denver snatches a comeback
The final numbers almost didn’t look real in Denver’s dominant 109-94 win in Game 3. Nikola Jokic had the first 30-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist game in NBA Finals history With his performance of 32-21-10. Jamal Murray also hit a 34-10-10 triple-double, making him and Jokić the first teammates in NBA Finals history to hit a triple-double in the same game. And everything the Heat could force the Nuggets into stealing home field advantage in Game 2 was immediately taken back from them with Denver leading 2-1.
This was the best defensive game we’ve seen from Denver in the series. The Nuggets defended the three-point line much better, and it wasn’t just because Miami missed shots. Nuggets chased the perimeter and took paint at the same time. It’s a big reason Miami has shot only 31.4 percent deep and 37 percent overall. The Heat was choked throughout the game.
The players who usually go up for Miami were MIA in this one. Other than Caleb Martin (10 points on 4-of-9 shooting off the bench) looking better than before, everyone was losing. Gabe Vincent hit a nasty whistle early on and never recovered to find his rhythm, though the Denver defense probably never let him find it at all. Bam Adebayo may have had the most meaningless game of 22 points and 17 rebounds in NBA Finals history.
Meanwhile for the Nuggets, rookie Christian Brown (15 points in 18 minutes) came off the bench with energy and power to put pressure on Miami in transition and midfield. His activity replaced what they couldn’t get from Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavius Caldwell Pope.
In the end, the Nuggets’ size wasn’t matched by any kind of power from Miami. Denver was bigger, badder, faster. Two more games like this Wednesday, and Denver lifts its first Larry O’Brien Trophy. There isn’t anything the Heat we saw last night can do about it.
Sam Amick: Behind the scenes of Heat-Nuggets 3
Joe Vardon: Jokic’s coronation and return from Murray
The latest from Shams
Updates on CP3, Harden
Right before Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the attention of the NBA world turned briefly toward Chris Paul and his future with the Suns.
Here’s what you need to know about his status now, all according to league sources:
- The Suns have reached out to CP3 to talk to him and his agent about their options, including the possibility that they may part ways this offseason.
- Phoenix is considering trade options, waiving and extending Paul’s contract or relinquishing him and potentially re-signing him in free agency.
- The Suns have a June 28 security deadline on Paul’s $30.8 million contract. Almost $15 million guaranteed.
Elsewhere, another big name on people’s minds this season is Philadelphia’s James Harden.
- I’m told he’s now torn between staying in Philly or seeking a possible return to Houston. Harden’s decision would be a throw and it could go either way.
- More meetings and talks are expected between Harden and 76s coach Nick Nurse and team leadership.
- The Rockets have over $60 million to $70 million in projected cap space available to build with this offseason.
- Harden will hear from both teams and their visions for the future.
We return to Zach, who has some thoughts on CP3.
Sunset Chris Paul?
What’s next in Phoenix?
Let’s dive into this Paul thing.
Does trade really make sense in this situation if you are a potential business partner? Maybe it is if you want to save some money and give away CP3 off the books before June 28th. You can offload a large contract that may be guaranteed for the next two seasons or longer. Of course, the Phoenix will only do this if the player coming to the Suns is actually helping the team.
The list of teams that could use Paul if he is waived and becomes an unrestricted free agent is long. The Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Philadelphia (if James Harden leaves), Chicago, Minnesota, Memphis (depending on Ja Morant’s comment) and Dallas (if Kyrie Irving leaves) would all benefit greatly by signing a reduced CP3.
Detroit, Orlando and maybe Utah or San Antonio come to mind as teams with a lot of youth and conflict expected next season that could benefit from CP3 to help teach youngsters how to win. Utah and San Antonio may not be interested in doing their best next season, but imagine what Victor Wimpanyama could learn with a future Hall of Famer as Paul for one season.
Detroit took a big step back and didn’t capitalize on lottery luck. But the veterans who have to trade are Bojan Bogdanović and Alec Burks. Not exactly a fatal disagreement. Orlando has guys like Jonathan Isaacs, Gary Harris Jr., and Markel Fultz to move around, but it’s not alluring either. Maybe they should participate as third teams.
To me, the most likely option for Paul is to waive it and enter free agency.
Challenging times?
The NBA is considering a second challenge for coaches
Byron Spruell is the NBA’s President of Basketball Operations. In an appearance on ESPN yesterday, Spruell revealed the idea that a second Coaches Challenge could be coming soon at an NBA game near you.
A second challenge will be available if the first one is successful, essentially rewarding the coach for an incorrect ground call challenge. Under the current rules, you’ll only get one challenge, whether it’s successful or not. And to the bewilderment of many viewers, fans, players, coaches, pundits, and executives, these challenges sometimes happen very early in the game. We’re all left scratching our heads, wondering if the missed flipped call in the first few minutes was meaningful enough to not have that option for the next 40 years.
As much as I can’t stand to break the flow of the game when we get to the replay reviews, I think the coach should be rewarded for correcting the challenge. In fact, part of me thinks they should hold their challenge until they get it wrong. Isn’t this the spirit of challenge in general? Or does that open up a dangerous game of adding time to the product when attention spans are dwindling day by day?
This potential change has yet to pass through the Competition Commission and the Board of Governors, but the wheels are running.
Bounce passes
The Heat are the best at finding unmade talent. The best ever.
Michael Winger was a stray cat. Now he’s the Wizards’ front office top dog.
The Warriors have plenty of off-the-record questions, including: What’s next with Jordan Poole?
Chris Finch spent two full seasons with the Wolves. What happened this year?
Is there a path for the Fives to repeat the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals?
Are Tottenham about to get the chops to play big all the time?
(Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)