In the wild and wacky Western Conference, Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets were one of the few teams who managed to stay consistent for most of the season.
But now, with just a few weeks left in the regular season, the Nuggets are showing signs of breaking during a particularly brutal stretch of games which includes losses to the Rockets, Nets, Raptors, and Knicks.
On Saturday, with Denver suffering its 24th loss of the season, the Joker finally admitted his concern level with the team.
“I mean, it is what it is,” Jokic said when asked about losing five of six games. “We need to be concerned. Me first, and then everybody collectively, needs to do a better job of rebounding the ball. We are forcing shots and not getting the extra pass. We cannot defend really well right now.”
After tonight's loss against the #Knicks, Nikola Jokic warned the #Nuggets that they need to be concerned especially about their lack of defense, and need to win the next games for them to get on the right track heading into the #NBA Playoffs.
#MileHighBasketball @TimBontemps pic.twitter.com/nblTuQfH9Z
— TheColdWire.com (@thecoldwire) March 18, 2023
The Nuggets have plenty of issues right now, but defense is probably the most glaring flaw. While the Nuggets haven’t been great on that end of the floor all season long, they were good enough to get consistent wins, and it’s what powered them through the first three-quarters of the season.
For whatever reason, the Nuggets have lost all edge on defense and haven’t been able to make enough shots to keep up. It’s been a problem for the Nuggets since the Jokic era began, and it seems to be jeopardizing their championship odds yet again.
Could The Nuggets Lose In The First Round?
As good as the Nuggets have been, there is a world where they don’t get past the first round. If a team like the Lakers, or the Golden State Warriors, gets the 8 seed and matches up with them early on, it could be devastating for the Joker.
“I believe the depth and the experience of the Golden State Warriors will put them in a position to eliminate the Phoenix Suns in the first round,” said Jalen Rose on NBA Countdown. “And I ain’t stopping there. They’re gonna play the Denver Nuggets in the second round (and) I’m picking the Warriors to win that series too…”
Of course, despite the recent struggles, the Nuggets still have a comfortable lead at the top of the West and are pretty much guaranteed to have a top-two seed when it’s all said and done.
But they are vulnerable right now, and you’d be crazy to think other teams aren’t taking notice.
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