Jokic s contract renewal dilemma! Thunder crushes the finals, Nuggets lineup dilemma locks the championship dream

As soon as the NBA Finals matchup list was released, US media "BR" poured cold water - the Thunder almost secured the victory with a 95.7% chance of winning the championship, and the Pacers only have a 4.3% chance of counterattack. At first glance, this data looks like David's challenge to Goliath, but the Pacers' journey to the Eastern Conference Finals is a passionate comic: facing the Bucks in the first round, Halliburton used a buzzer-beating layup to complete the finals with a buzzer-beating layup in a desperate situation of 20 points. The scene of his arms roaring when the lights went on became the most classic counterattack moment of the season; against the Cavaliers in the second round, he used a three-pointer to pierce the opponent's heart at a critical moment; after eliminating the Knicks in the East Conference Finals, the Knicks management fired head coach Thibodeau in anger, which was enough to show the shock brought by the Pacers' dark horse.

To be honest, it is no surprise that the Pacers can break out of the East. Halliburton has completely demonstrated his big heart this season. Not to mention the data per game of 20+10, he can always tear his opponent's defense with calm decisions at critical moments. Coupled with the scheduling of Coach Carlisle, this team's tactical execution is the top in the Eastern Conference, especially their lineup depth - they can be topped by any individual on the bench, unlike some teams who rely solely on the core to support them. But unfortunately, they encountered the Thunder that could be called a "monster". The 68-win regular season record has already said everything. He swept the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs and easily defeated the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. He crushed them all the way and didn't even encounter a decent resistance. Do you think walkers can create miracles? It's hard, it's too difficult. After all, the Thunder's Alexander and Jewish are like two perpetual motion machines, with both ends of the offense and defense not being airtight.

The Nuggets' tragic journey: The six-player revolving Dead Warriors and Jokic's trapped beast fight

To talk about the most touching team in the entire playoffs, the Nuggets are the ones that make people sigh. When the Thunder were nearly invincible in the West, only the Nuggets had them "sweat". In the words of the Thunder team reporter, the Nuggets almost forced these young people to a desperate situation. But who would have thought that this team that has suffered a lot will have only 6 people in the entire playoffs to rotate? He played 14 games in 29 days, and no one could stand it, let alone 4 of them were injured. In the first round, he fought the Clippers for 7 games, and in the second round, he fought with the Thunder until the 7th game. Jokic played for almost 40 minutes every game, and his eyes were so tired that he looked straight. Do you think they lack combat power? Too lacking! Anyone or two more can play will not be dragged down by the Thunder in the last two games. Looking at Murray with a cane on the sidelines and looking at Jokic's back who was so tired that he bent down and held his knees, it really makes people want to curse: What did the management do?

Speaking of Jokic, this guy really wrote the four words "lonely hero" thoroughly this year. The regular season data is simply explosive: 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. These three data are ranked among the top three in the league, and no one has ever done it in history. There are also those 34 triple-doubles, and the direct fault is the first. But the more beautiful the data, the more helpless it appears. In the game against the Timberwolves, he fought for 53 minutes, scored 61 points and triple-double, and was finally destroyed by Westbrook's three-pointer; playing against the Wizards was even more outrageous, with 56 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists in one game, and 40 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists in one game, but they all lost. In the playoffs, he played in the Thunder G5, and he scored 44 points by carrying the team alone, and his teammates only scored more than 50 points. How can he win? After the game, he threw a towel on the bench, like a beast locked in a cage. He had enough strength but had nowhere to use it. Jokic's contract renewal problem: The difficult choice between money and dreams

What is now in front of Jokic is a realistic and ideal multiple-choice question. Salary expert Bobby Max said he can sign 212 million for three years now, or 380 million for five years next year. Anyone with a discerning eye knows that a 5-year contract is more cost-effective, after all, you can get nearly 170 million more! But for the Nuggets, the pressure to renew their contracts is less now - they really can't stand the risk of losing Jokic. If it is delayed until next year, it may be possible that any team will come to grab people. But then again, is Jokic worth the price? Of course it's worth it! Just because he brought a team with a broken lineup to the Western Conference Finals, anyone would have to give him a maximum salary. Besides, the reporter of the team has long said that he has no plans to leave at all. Unlike some teams who sell cores and exchange picks, the Nuggets are quite gratifying.

But what if you sign a contract? Looking at the Nuggets’ salary structure is simply a headache. Murray starts to get a maximum salary of 212 million yuan next season, Porter Jr., more than 38 million yuan, Gordon more than 22 million yuan, and Brian has to renew his contract, earning at least 25 million yuan. The contracts of these people combined directly locked the salary space. There are quite a few first-round picks in my hand, but few of them can trade. Want to send Murray away? It's hard, unless you pay a draft pick, but even so, which team is willing to accept this premium contract? Porter Jr. performed poorly in the playoffs, and his trading value plummeted. He was the only hope left, but now it seems to be very difficult. The most ridiculous thing is that it took two years to train newcomers, and only Brian could play, and others were not even qualified to rotate. The management's operations made people want to slap the table and scold her.

Summary: Super Max Payment Locks the Future, Should Jokic pay for his loyalty?

Now Denver media are discussing a problem: since you can't give the championship lineup, it's better to give Jokic a super maximum salary and let him spend his whole life with the Nuggets. This sounds quite humane, but on the other hand, isn’t this moral kidnapping? Joki is 30 years old, and it is in his peak period. Do you have to see him like Nowitzki back then, waiting until his twilight years to come to the championship? But Nowitzki has at least been waiting, where is Jokic? Looking at the Nuggets lineup, there is basically no room for operation in the next four years. Unless a miracle happens, winning the championship is simply a fantasy.

But then again, loyalty is too luxurious in the NBA business league. Durant was called a "traitor" when he left the Thunder, but he at least won the championship; Antetokounmpo stayed in the Bucks, and now he has become the team's totem. If Jokic chooses to stay for a long time, he may become a legend of the Nuggets, but he may also become synonymous with the "Empty Slash King". Of course, fans hope he stays, but as a player, who doesn’t want to get a few more rings? So, this contract renewal seems to be a matter of money, but in fact it is a game between dreams and reality. As for how Jokic chooses, he probably only knows it himself, but no matter how he chooses, it is destined to be full of controversy - this is the NBA, cruel and charming.