This game, the Nuggets really played a bit risky!
They were supposed to conquer the Pelicans, but they almost got dragged down by the Pelicans.
If it weren't for the overtime at the end, they would have become a laughingstock.
This game really made people sweat, especially the two big cores of the Pelicans, CJ McCollum and Murray, which made people feel a little confused.
You say, these two people with big contracts, but brought such an inefficient performance to the team, don't they feel ashamed?
The game started, and the Nuggets failed to play their advantage, but the Pelicans gave them a lesson.
The Pelicans played very hard, especially McCollum, whose 21 shots and 8 hits looked a bit annoying.
He made 4 of 10 three-pointers, with a hit rate of 40%, but his overall hit rate was only 38%. Honestly, such a state could not lead the team at all.
Murray is also similar, shooting 7 of 24 for 17 points and 15 assists, but the most embarrassing thing is that he missed all six three-pointers, with a three-point hit rate of 0%.
The low-efficiency performance of these two cores not only slowed down the offensive rhythm but also messed up the entire team's offense.
You say, with such a performance, can you believe that they receive millions of dollars in salary every year?
Some netizens also said on the Internet: These two people from the Pelicans really lost the definition of the core, playing so inefficiently, yet dare to take such high salaries. This is simply a big burden for the team.
Some netizens jokingly said: CJ and Murray are like high-paid blank checks. Who knows if they can be cashed?
Forget about the playoffs, playing like this, it's hard to even win a game.
It can be seen that the disappointment of the fans has reached its peak.
The drama of this game completely exploded in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets once trailed the Pelicans by 17 points and were about to be beaten.
Can you imagine?
A team with championship potential actually played like this against a Pelicans team that had lost six consecutive games?
It's simply disgraceful.
Until the end of the game, Jokic missed a shot, Murray grabbed the rebound, and finally scored a key mid-range shot with 8.8 seconds left, tying the score and sending the game into overtime.
It's too exciting. The Nuggets' fans almost jumped off the couch.
In overtime, the Nuggets finally found some form, stabilized the situation, and eventually narrowly defeated the Pelicans 132-129.
This game made the fans' hearts almost jump out, but it must be said that the Nuggets' performance was not perfect.
Although they won, they were actually beaten like this by a weak team like the Pelicans who had lost six consecutive games, which does make people doubt their true strength a bit.
Some netizens said: The Nuggets' victory in this game is not worth mentioning. Even the Pelicans can be dragged like this. The road to the championship is not that easy.
Besides, there are people who say: If the Nuggets want to win the championship, they must start adjusting now and stop relying on luck at the end of the game like this.
Speaking of the Pelicans, we can't blame McCollum and Murray entirely.
Although their performance was inefficient, from a tactical point of view, the defensive pressure on the Nuggets was not small, especially Jokic's defense, which really put the Pelicans' offense in trouble.
But, as core players, can't you just be restrained like this?
Isn't there a way to break through the difficulties?
How can high-salary contracts be as simple as recuperation behind them?
The mediocre performance of the two cores not only affected the Pelicans' record but also slowed down the entire team's offensive efficiency.
If they don't quickly adjust their state, they probably won't even get a ticket to the playoffs this season.
Some netizens analyzed it very thoroughly and directly pointed out the biggest problem facing the Pelicans.
The team's competitiveness has been seriously affected, and the competition in the Western Conference is so fierce. To stand out in such an environment, it really requires these two core players to go all out.
The Pelicans' prospects are worrying, and the low-efficiency performance of the double-core in the team has become a hidden bomb.
If they want to advance to the playoffs, they must first adjust their offensive rhythm and improve the performance of the core players.
Otherwise, even if they can pick up some bargains from other teams, they will not be able to maintain their advantage for long.
The competition in the West is now so fierce that every team is fighting forward, and no one can give you much breathing space.
Some netizens commented: I really think that if the Pelicans can't find their form early, they may have to start considering the next season as soon as this season ends.
The current situation makes it difficult to be optimistic.
The low-efficiency performance of the two high-salary cores may plunge the entire team into a long-term trough.
From this game, the inspiration given to other teams is obvious.
First of all, there is the issue of responsibility for high-salary players. High salaries are not only recognition of past performance but more importantly, expectations for the future.
You can get such a high salary, which means you bear a heavier responsibility, and you have to prove that you deserve the money on the court.
Players need to understand that no matter how much the contract is, what ultimately determines their future is their performance on the court.
How can high-salary players be so inefficient?
Isn't this holding the team back?
Some netizens questioned this.
This is also reality. Players receive high salaries but fail to lead the team to perform as expected, resulting in inefficiency and poor overall team performance. Naturally, fans will become dissatisfied.
Players themselves also need to realize that their responsibilities are not just about collecting wages; their true value lies in their efforts on the court and leading the team to victory.
Although the Nuggets won this game, it doesn't make them seem particularly impressive.
The double-core of the Pelicans, despite their big contracts, brought an inefficient performance to the team.
For both teams, this game exposed many problems.
The Nuggets need to adjust their state, and the Pelicans need to regain their core competitiveness.
No matter what, the season has just begun. Whoever can adjust better next will stand out in the competition.