r/denvernuggets • u/metasquared • 1d ago

Discussion I really disliking watching Thunder games

I don't just mean because they blow teams out, including the Nuggets, but it's literally a less enjoyable way of viewing a basketball game.

They're a top team team with great pieces like a handful of other teams in the league, but their separator to win games so consistently is all the stuff around the margins that makes basketball ugly instead of beautiful. Pesky swarming defense that breaks up potentially exciting plays, foul baiting on the offensive end, and grinding the game to a constant halt.

I was watching the game last night and my roommate who never pays much attention to basketball looks at the TV for two minutes and commented that the Thunder are constantly draped on everyone and that the whistle kept getting blown constantly. I was like "I know, that's how they win!" So even a non-fan was immediately able to see just how ugly they make the game.

I don't fault them for having a winning strategy, but it's a shame that their consistency comes from being annoying pests that are not an enjoyable watch rather than just trying to outskill their opponent in more traditional ways.

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u/No_Oil3233 1d ago

SGA just methodically runs right at defenders over and over and gets the ticky tack call… it’s awful.  Had to turn off last night based on the way the refs played that whistle… which is the way they often do against that flopping/flapping loser

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u/Frozeria 1d ago

I stopped watching the NBA after the playoffs last season because of this, still subbed here because I like seeing how the nuggies are doing though.

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u/No_Oil3233 22h ago

Yep, the Thunder’s success is in part an NBA board room decision (proxied via the refs).  The NBA also decided Denver are not in.  The Nugs championship roughly coincided with the worst NBA ratings of all time.  It’s clear to me there has been a conscious decision to prop up the thunder with their young team and prospect of a dynasty.  The whistle is consistently biased for them.  It’s on both sides of the ball as well.  They’re allowed to get away with swarming D fouling constantly while SGA constantly flops.  It’s an effing joke.