Denver Nuggets: Back to Back?

Denver Nuggets: Back to Back?

The Denver Nuggets locker room still smells like champaign. Winning their first ever championship in 2023. Establishing themselves in history as one of the greatest teams of all time. Nikola Jokic is now one of the greatest centers of all time. He has changed the way we view basketball. Denver dominated the postseason last year. Nuggets have continued to do so in the regular season. Mike Malone is one of the greatest coaches in the league, along with Calvin Booth, who knows how to build a roster. Denver could become the new 2000s San Antonio Spurs. They have one of the most dominating players on their roster. A player who could go down as a top 10 player of all time. Coming into this season, the Nuggets could see themselves winning another trophy.

Nikola Jokic could go down as one of the greatest centers of all time. He is such a dominant player that opposing players cannot figure him out. He is a generational passer, as his court vision is phenomenal. Sometimes when I watch the game and see Jokic make a crazy pass, all I can say is, "How the hell did he do that?" He is a great 3-point shooter, as Jokic is shooting 35 percent along with a 58% field goal percentage. Nikola this season has achieved the milestone of being top five in triple doubles of all time. Jokic is leading in the MVP race and could win his third MVP award. He could join the conversation with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Moses Malone.

The Serbian giant has continued to be one of the greatest offensive players ever. The way he opens up the floor for his teammates is incredible. Jokic for how great of a scorer he is; it is wild that he is so unselfish. He has spent the regular season bodying the league. Because of Jokic, teams are now investing in double-big-man line-ups. He has saved the center position. Winning an MVP since Shaq. Not only does Jokic dominate in the regular season, but he is also a beast in the post-season.

 Last postseason, Nikola Jokic went ape-shit. He averaged 30 points per game, 13.5 rebounds per game, and 9.5 assists per game. Almost averaging a triple double in 20 games is crazy as hell. He led the Nuggets to their win in five games against the Wolves. Beating the Phoenix Suns in six games. And he swept the Los Angeles Lakers in a gentleman fashion. Watching Jokic dominate the finals was something to see. There was no doubt in my mind that he was the Finals MVP. A player who was drafted late in the second round during a Taco Bell commercial. He led this team to a championship. His story feels like a Disney movie. Jokic was an underdog, like his teammate Jamal Murray.

Coming off a devastating ACL tear, we did not know if Jamal would be able to come back to his 2021 self. Murray faced a brutal moment. He didn't know if the Nuggets would keep him. Worse, they might see him as damaged goods. Thank God that Jamal was able to play himself back into shape. His talent has continued to shine. Murray is a talented ball handler who can create his own shot. He can finish around the rim, is a talented passer, and is a great 3-point shooter, as he shoots 42 percent behind the arc. His health has prevented him from being selected to play in the All-Star game. There is no denying that he is a star, despite not having that as an accolade. Murray is a talented regular-season player, but come playoff time, he takes it to another level.

Jamal Murray in the playoffs is special. The way he tore up the 2020 bubble post-season was special. He was able to drop a 50-pound bomb on the Utah Jazz which was a work of art. Jamal established himself as one of the best post-season players in the league. Murray missed the 2021–22 season, and there were concerns about how he'd return. And he did so with a bang. Averaging 26 points per game, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Having an all-around perfect play-off run. It was a beautiful moment to watch him celebrate. We are expecting the same results in this playoff too. Jamal takes his game to an unreal level. He is such a smart player and knows how to get a basket. A guy who can play on and off the ball. Jamal Murray has been the perfect second option for the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. has been the perfect third option.

Michael Porter Jr. is one of the best three-point shooters in the league. His shooting form is like the Mona Lisa. It is an art work everyone wishes to buy. It is smooth, like silk, and wet, like water. Shooting 39 percent from the 3-point line. But the problem is that he is inconsistent. In one game, he could have a 30-plus-point performance, and on other nights, he can drop only 9 points. And he has a bad track record of back injuries. The Nuggets organization has done a good job of taking care of his occurring problem. MPJ has been a good third option, and at times Aaron Gordon has been able to step up.

The perfect front court player to put next to Nikola Jokic is Aaron Gordon. He is great at cutting to the basket. It is fun to watch Jokic and Gordon run pick and rolls together. One of the most explosive players in the league and underrated passer. An athletic forward next to the MVP, Jokic, goes together like peanut butter and jelly. AG is a talented defender too. The Nuggets have one of the best starting five in all the NBA.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of the best two-way guards in the league. He has real championship experience. He won his first in 2020 with the Lakers and last year with the Nuggets. KCP is a great off-ball player and plays off his star player. He is 38 percent from the 3-point line. A perfect locker room guy who knows his role. Which is why he has seen success in his career. The Nuggets also have a solid depth of veterans and young guys.

The Denver Nuggets are diverse, with veterans and young players. Guys like DeAndre Jordan, who are at the end of their careers,  are good locker room guys to have. Reggie Jackson, who is a serviceable backup point guard, Along with Justin Holiday, who is a good three-point shooter. Calvin Booth has done a good job of bringing young players like Peyton Watson, who is a good slasher. Zeke Nnaji is the young back-up big who they hope develops into a big-up big. And Christian Braun, who earned his contract last post-season. The Nuggets rank as one of the best teams in the league. This is due to their great roster.

The Denver Nuggets could make a lot of noise this postseason. They are one of the most well-built teams in the league, and Nikola Jokic might end up winning his third MVP award. Calvin Booth has done one hell of a job building this roster. Everyone fits like a puzzle. Mike Malone is one of the best coaches in the league today. The Denver Nuggets could end up becoming the next San Antonio Spurs. The franchise could see themselves winning a second championship real soon.