Five reasons the Denver Nuggets will go back-to-back and five reasons they won’t
Jaiden Molina
Student Writer
OCT, 23, 11:25 AM MDT
“At last, the long wait is over! After 47 years, the Denver Nuggets can finally call themselves NBA champions!” — Mike Breen.
Emotions ran high as the clock ticked down, and a feeling like no other was finally felt. The Denver Nuggets finally won their first title in franchise history. Nuggets players, coaches, and fans had finally reached the promised land. There was no better team to climb the mountaintop than one built from the ground up. As head coach Michael Malone said, “We’re not satisfied with one. We want more!” So, what better way for the newly crowned champions to defend their title than by capturing a second?
The Denver Nuggets are currently the third-ranked betting favorites to win their second-consecutive title at +450. Via CBS Sports.
In an article inspired by the Denver Post, I’ll list five reasons why the Nuggets can win it all (again) but vice-versa to why they won’t.
Why they’ll win
- The entire coaching staff returns
The brains behind the show are returning to run it back with Michael Malone as the Nuggets look to repeat as champs. A key piece in the staff and lead assistant coach, David Adelman, is returning after a career year where many thought he’d land a head coaching job this past summer as he interviewed for the then-vacant Toronto Raptors head coach position. Popeye Jones, another crucial front-row assistant, is reuniting with the Nuggets. The following coaches are also returning.
2. An established defense
The argument regarding the Denver Nuggets in the past was that the team lacked defense. You could argue that it used to be valid until you look at their defensive statistics from last season, so it isn’t a reasonable argument. Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Peyton Watson are all considered reliable defenders. Last season, the Nuggets ranked fourth in NBA defensive rankings. Expect them to either go up or stay in that same position.
3. The bench thrives
The Nuggets’ bench is a fountain of youth who have the potential to be well-respected stars. Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, and Zeke Nnaji all have the Nuggets’ front office trust to the grave. Braun was outstanding last season and played a major difference-maker in the finals. Denver’s first-round pick from this past draft, Strawther, has been known to have explosive offensive power during his days at Gonzaga. Watson is built like a star and has received high praise from general manager Calvin Booth. Nnaji recently signed an extension of 4-years worth $32 million and gained respect as a depth big man, someone Calvin Booth and Michael Malone believe is a flexible player with room to grow.
4. All-around scoring
The Nuggets are a team that can produce points from any position group. Guards, forwards, and centers, the Nuggets told the league last year that they don’t need to rely on a one-person wrecking ball anymore.
5. Nikola Jokić is unstoppable
The obvious reason the Nuggets would go back-to-back is because of their superstar center, Nikola Jokić. The triple-double king is the heart and soul of the team and has yet to be figured out. In the finals, outsiders thought that the Miami Heat’s plan to contain Joker was by “ turning him into a scorer, ” which was later debunked by Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. No matter the matchup, Big Honey is one of the most reliable scorers/playmakers in NBA history, so why would he stop now? Not even cracking 30 years old yet, Jokić is a two-time MVP, finals MVP, with a championship to his name. Nearly averaging a triple-double last season, Jokić will only be getting better, and there are no signs of him slowing down.
Why they won’t win
- The West is loaded
Over the offseason, the Lakers, Suns, and Warriors each made significant moves that could very well get them over the hump. Golden State trading for Chris Paul, Los Angeles retooling their roster, and Phoenix acquiring Bradley Beal are all moves that won’t fare well against the Nuggets, not even mentioning other teams such as the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies that also present a threat to the reigning champions.
2. The bench is too young
The Nuggets bench is full of youth from head to toe, with only a few getting true minutes in the playoffs. Inexperience could come back to bite this team when it matters most.
3. Only 13 teams have won consecutive championships
As charming as it sounds, back-to-back titles are a feat only the mighty have accomplished. There have been only 13 teams to make basketball history, most recently being the 2017 and 2018 Golden State Warriors. Many consider fatigue the biggest threat to a reigning champion. With a shortened summer, the Nuggets look to defend their crown despite what the past says.
4. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. don’t produce in the regular season
A flaw that hasn’t gone unrecognized is the inconsistency of both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. While Murray plays a difference-maker in the postseason; the Nuggets will desperately need the Blue Arrow to translate his playoff success to the regular season. With Murray being fully healthy again and coming off a year to remember, his expectations have risen since winning it all. He’s expected to be an all-star and to reduce the offensive workload of Nikola Jokić. When he was drafted, there were comparisons from MPJ’s style of play to the great Kevin Durant. At one point, fans truly believed that MPJ was the second coming of Durant; however, that hasn’t been the case for Porter’s career. He’s had his fair share of injuries and inconsistency, but now a champion, this season could be a fresh start for the small forward. He’s become an outstanding defender who, now and then, has an offensive outburst. Porter has openly been working on bettering himself over the summer, which is just what the doctor ordered.
5. The loss of Bruce Brown
You could argue that Bruce Brown was Denver’s second-best player last season. Without Brown, the Denver Nuggets don’t have a championship, and we’re talking about a completely different team. He was a noticeable x-factor that opposing teams couldn’t wait to throw money at to lure him away from the Nuggets organization. Brown played terrific defense and was a stud with the ball. The loss of him is a guarantee to bite Denver. Almost everybody expected Brown to be gone after last season, of course, coming off of a career year. How could he not cash in? The expectation heading into the season is that Christian Braun can and will fill Brown’s shoes on both sides of the court. Nuggets fans will feel the gut-wrenching loss of Brown at some point in the season; whether it’s early or late, his presence will be severely missed.
Credits
