Chris Broussard talks Clippers GM 4 win vs Nuggets for a 3-1 series lead | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST

Broussard, this

series

is already over with the clips up 3-1. Well,

first

of all, Jenna, let me congratulate the Clippers because this is a shocking development. Two of our esteemed panelists told me that the Denver Nuggets were clearly, unequivocally, the best team in this

series

, so for the Clippers to somehow win three or four games, I mean, it's rare that an inferior team can be the top team three out of four times, it's shocking, so congratulations to the creature, my friend for his heart, the little engine, I mean, these are just incredible questions, it's over, okay, the only question, of course, is if it ends in five or six.

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Denver won the next game. to six that's actually what I predicted from the beginning, so that's probably what will happen, we can get to six, but this is over in terms of drama, in terms of intrigue, in terms of suspense, it's over now, What we're all waiting for is how close or can the Clippers get to their game for their showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Look, I know Nick's been praying against it, he's been hoping against it. , been trying yes, yes, yes, I want it. to happen, I just didn't think it was going to happen, listen, I chose Denver, but unlike you, Broussard, I choose with my head, not my heart.

Now my head might have taken me wrong, but I told everyone before the playoffs that I wanted the glove. Portland Houston Clippers Milwaukee now Milwaukee is gone so maybe Portland Houston Clippers and then obviously one of the other three teams left in the east is what it looks like it's going to be. I have to admit, it looks like the Clippers are going to win this series. Now I chose the pips in seven. I'm not good at math, but I think to win a series in seven you have to lose three times. You'd rather it weren't three of the

first

four.

It's true that what I think happened last night was the Nuggets let Game 3 beat them twice, the Nuggets know they blew an opportunity in Game 3 and that carried over into their play in the first half of Game 4 and then , to their credit, despite being down by 18, tied the game early in the third. fourth and then you saw when Jenna mentioned all the strength of Kawhi, all the strength of the Clippers defense, he played a really exceptional game, almost from start to finish defensively, and Kawhi played an even game on both ends throughout the entire game and people say I'm a silent Leonard hater, I thank Kawhi for one day tying his career record for assists in the playoffs.

I think Kawhi Leonard will get that elusive first triple-double of his career in the playoffs to match the only triple-double of his career in the regular season and he'll do it. I know some people. I have doubted him. Some people have said it will never happen. I think one day Kawhi will have a playoff game in Tennessee. I really believe in my heart that will happen one day, but he was great and listens. I mean Brandon. You and I choose. the

nuggets

and now at least i was one of those guys that we both look at least a little dumb and our good friend, the dear

chris

broussard

, has covered the league for 47 years.

Nick seems like the right guy on set. and by the way brandon this is what's working against denver let's call it a little tension a little dissension in the ranks michael porter jr not too happy after the game with the

nuggets

offense okay wilds what did you do with that i mean part? Part of me thinks it's really out of pocket to tell reporters before you tell your coaching staff and just air your dirty laundry and then part of me thinks the person doesn't have a point, you're losing 3-1 in The first half. had 25 touches in the second half had 12 touches seventh on a team it's like guys I'm really good I don't know if you've been watching sports highlights but I'm good I wanted to steal the draft so Brassard I'm a little hesitant on this, I'm inclined to agree with him.

Look, you wish he would go talk to Mike Malone privately about it, but let's face it, part of what makes Michael Porter Jr. a special player or potentially a special player maybe a star eventually in this league is his precocity his bravery his ultra self-confidence and you know he's a 22 year old rookie essentially and he lit up the bubble during the seat games he made the team out of the seats I had 15 points in the first half last night you don't do that unless You're a fearless kid who thinks you can do anything against the Clippers, no less, so the good comes with the bad and the bad thing about that is that you make statements. like that publicly to the media, but you're right, there was a play in the second half where I think it was Lou Williams who scored and Murray had the ball and he could have hit it, but Murray dribbles the other way and tells Porter that He kind of moves to the wing and then passes it to Porter on the wing when he's covered and that clearly frustrated Michael Porter Jr., so look, I saw Michael Porter Jr. coming having played so well in the seating games.

I was going to have trouble getting down. in the pecking order when Jamal Murray came back and that's what happened; Ultimately it's a good problem to have, but they have some guys who aren't happy with their roles and that's a problem. I just want to add a little bit. For context here, I think some of this comes from the frustration of Game 3 when it's clear Murray didn't have it, Jokic was exhausted, and suddenly the three most important shots of the series, but from the Nuggets' perspective , taken by Jeremy Grant. instead of by michael porter jr, so i think i was already frustrated coming into this game and listen, i like porter jr.

I followed him all through high school. He is from my home state of Missouri. He went to mu even though he never played for mu. I root for the guy, but one of the reasons it's hard to plan for him to be the third option is because you don't know if he's going to be bad enough defensively to take him out of the game, so for a while I'll get him. If you can talk to the media to talk to your coach, maybe as a rookie, when you're essentially a designated hitter, you don't do it after a game because of a second round loss against Chris Broussard's beloved Clippers, so he has that take a little time. of ownership there too if he wasn't such a poor defender I think he would have been more incorporated on the court in the game plan at the beginning of the series, but hopefully he would be back on Monday when the series is tied at three and we can get a preview of a great game.

Come on, thanks for watching. Subscribe here to get the latest on the show. Also be sure to check out more of the best clips from First Things First or check out some segments from our other shows on fs1.