The Western Conference is filled with multiple talented teams right now. Be it the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, or teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks, it is safe to say that the competition to become the best in the West is stacked right now.
While the Warriors and the Clippers are being considered the favorites for the title next season, there is perhaps one team that isn’t getting much respect in terms of their potential as a contender, the Denver Nuggets. Led by 2-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have been a constant in the playoffs. While the team did make it all the way to the Conference Finals in 2020, they haven’t made any significant progress in the playoffs in the last two seasons.
The biggest reason for the same though has been the injuries to star guard Jamal Murray and talented scorer Michael Porter Jr. But the Nuggets will finally be at full strength after two long seasons. Recently, Jamal Murray opened up about his expectation from the team.
“We’re just trying to win a championship, that’s where everybody’s mind is at with us.”
The Nuggets will certainly have some much-needed scoring options once Murray and Porter Jr. return. While Jokic has been putting in the work at both ends of the court, Denver’s lack of scoring options apart from the reigning MVP was visible in the playoffs.
Not only that, the last time Jamal Murray played in the playoffs, he was absolutely electric. Scoring at will, Murray absolutely balled out in the 2020 playoffs. If the 25-year-old can reach a similar level for the Nuggets for the upcoming season, there is no doubt that Denver will immediately become a team to be feared in the Western Conference.
Given we haven’t seen a healthy Denver squad, it will be interesting to see how the trio of Jokic, Murray, and Porter Jr. will perform in the upcoming season. What are your expectations from Jokic and Co.?
