Comfortably spearheading the Western Conference with a 49-24 win-loss card, the Denver Nuggets, like other teams, have one goal in mind — to bag the title.
After falling short in a five-game opening round battle against the Warriors in last year’s playoffs, the Nuggets are surely determined to do better this time.
With the team standing with almost the same slate as last season (48-34), comparisons in terms of their current and previous performances are inevitable.
However, with their roster revamped throughout the season’s run, can Denver emerge as victors this time?
In spite of exhibiting a sluggish start to their 2022-23 NBA campaign, the Nuggets caught fire a quarter through the season and have since never looked back. The key to this show is none other than the Nuggets themselves, some of which have shown consistently impressive performance this year.
Who among the Nuggets stood out for the team this season? Can these players keep the fire burning until the tourney’s succeeding stages? Moreover, will their presence on the court be enough to give Denver its first-ever NBA title? And do they have enough roster depth?
1. NIKOLA JOKIĆ
A towering 6-foot-11 center, Jokić has been the Nuggets’ heart and soul from the get-go. The Serbian big man’s athleticism and tenacity has been instrumental in steering Denver to the top seed of the West.
After appearing in 65 games so far for the team this season, Nikola averages 24.8 points per game, along with 11.9 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks. Apart from these, the two-time league MVP also displayed an impressive 64/40/82 shooting split and a commendable 9.8 differential.
“We are so blessed to have a guy like Nikola…He is a unique person who doesn’t want any of the attention or credit. He just wants to go about his business and help this team win its first championship,” Michael Malone, Denver’s current head coach, said in a post-game interview after Jokić notched his 100th career triple double.
Displaying extreme dominance on the court, Nikola leads the Nuggets in the scoring, rebounding, assisting, and shooting departments, respectively. Seriously, who can match this force to be reckoned with?
If you bet on basketball in Colorado you should back up Jokic for the player of the season award.
A complete performance from Nikola Jokic in the Nuggets W 🃏
30 points
10 rebounds
9 assists
78% FG pic.twitter.com/oZZuvcBND5— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2023
2. JAMAL MURRAY
Since joining the team in 2016, Jamal Murray has been making wonders for the Nuggets both on the offensive and defensive ends. A stellar role player, this 6-foot-4 point guard has had an extra-special journey with the Nuggets this season.
After acquiring a season-ending ACL on his left knee in the 2020-21 season, Murray’s return to the court was pronounced to be indefinite. Earlier this season, Jamal finally earned the heads up he needed and suited up for the Nuggets after sitting out for eighteen months. Since then, the Canadian baller
worked twice as much to reclaim his pre-injury form — and it worked!
Appearing in 33 minutes across 59 games this season, Murray averages 20.1 points per game, just a few notches shy of his all-time high (21.2 points).
This is backed by a solid 45/40/82 shooting split and a 4.7 differential. Just a few days back, Murray made his comeback this season a one-for-the-books as he tallied his 805 th career three-pointer, surpassing Will Barton’s record and officially becoming the Nuggets’ all-time three-point leader in franchise history. A comeback so sweet, isn’t it?
2 years ago today
JAMAL MURRAY vs CAVS 🔥50 PTS
21/25 FG
8/10 3PT
0/0 FT pic.twitter.com/pABDH5Bwz1— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 19, 2023
3. AARON GORDON
An eight-year NBA veteran, Gordon’s on-court defensive tactics and maturity played such a huge role in Denver’s successful run in the league so far.
With an above-average 111.0 defensive rating, Gordon stands as one of the team’s best defenders. Apart from being one, the Arizona alumni has also noticeably upgraded his previously mediocre offensive performance to an electric-like one this season, averaging 16.6 points per game with an improved 58/36/62 shooting efficiency from the field, beyond the arc, and the line, respectively.
Gordon’s efforts in surveying the opposing team’s schemes have given him multiple chances to get to the rim with ease and protect the ball with his physical dominance.
As of the moment, Gordon is the Nuggets’ best blocker (0.7 blocks), second-best rebounder (6.5 rebounds), and third-best shooter (57.9%). Coming into the latter end of the regular season, what more can he possibly bring?
Aaron Gordon gets his own miss and puts it in to get us going 🙌pic.twitter.com/y72ceFTpQb
— Nuggets Nation (@NuggetsNationCP) March 12, 2023
4. KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE
To add to the Nuggets’ dominance, KCP’s experience as a nine-year veteran came in handy, especially during the crucial stretches in most of his team’s games. When all else failed and Denver was in need of somebody to bank on, they were able to count on this guy.
Following the failure to advance to the playoffs last year with the Washington Wizards, the 6’5” guard packed his bags to Denver and has since been a great addition to the team’s roster.
After suiting up for the team for 70 games, KCP averages 11 points per game, along with 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks. In addition, he also displays an outstanding 7.4 differential for the team this season, way better than his -3.0 outing in the previous year.
KCP leads the Nuggets in steals (1.5 per game) while also being the second-best in free throws (83.2%) and third-best in three-pointers (42.8%), respectively.
In an interview, Malone said that they “felt like he (KCP) was the missing piece.” This could be true, especially with how evident the Nuggets have become a top-contender after KCP joined the team. Will his veteran smarts still be instrumental in the Nuggets’ upcoming games?
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's (@CaldwellPope) 2020-21 Shot Chart:
Volume: AVERAGE | P_57 (percentile)
Shot Skill: AVERAGE | P_54
Efficiency: AVERAGE | P_64
Efficiency Value: AVERAGE | P_64Favorite Zone: Corner3
Best Skill Zone: Break3
Best Value Zone: Corner3 pic.twitter.com/Ajv6kmaAOU— NBA Shot Charts (@NBAChartBot) March 24, 2023
5. MICHAEL PORTER JR.
A Nuggets mainstay, Porter exhibited growth in the game before every spectator’s eyes. Now averaging 17.3 points per game, the 6’10” forward is deemed to be one of the best players to grace the league in recent memory at a very young age.
Compared to the previous season, Porter has become a more stable and reliable defender for Denver this year. Coming off a heel injury last December, his drive to make up for his almost month-long absence paid off, delivering when the team needed him the most.
Currently, Porter adds 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists to his points per game. He also garnered an impressive 111.8 defensive rating and 7.7 differential, respectively.
Michael Porter Jr. is now shooting 47.1% from deep in the month of March‼️ pic.twitter.com/tB4zlzcEBr
— Nuggets World 🌎 (@NuggetsWorldd) March 23, 2023
FINAL THOUGHTS
These Nuggets have truly shown off for the team this season and have successfully led Denver to its current standing. Although it was definitely a total team effort, crediting these guys once in a while would not hurt and might actually boost their game in the long run.
The Denver Nuggets will battle it out against East leaders Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, March 25, in their home at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Highest +/- in The Year 2023:
344 — Nikola Jokic
317 — Michael Porter Jr.
308 — Aaron Gordon
289 — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
280 — Darius Garland4 of Nuggets’ starters at the top pic.twitter.com/RtBLLd2ooe
— Hoop Muse (@HoopMuse) March 22, 2023
Credits on Featured Image: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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