Can the Denver Nuggets Repeat as Champions
The Denver Nuggets are looking to prove a point just as they did last season. They held the best record in the Western Conference, and during the playoffs they beat the odds making their first NBA Finals appearance, eventually beating the Miami Heat in five games earning their first franchise championship. This season seems no different, as the Nuggets hold the best record in the West thus far. Denver wants to repeat as champions, and they know the road to being back-to-back champions will be tougher than obtaining the first. Can the Denver Nuggets repeat as NBA champions? Let’s look into their season so far.
Denver holds the best record in the Western Conference and the best record in the NBA thus far at 8-1. Their only loss came from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who hammered the Nuggets at Target Center. The Nuggets have defeated seven Western Conference opponents such as the Lakers, Grizzlies, Thunder, Jazz, Mavericks, Pelicans, and Warriors. Two-time MVP and 2023 Finals MVP Nikola Jokić has been an absolute beast, leading the 2023-2024 Nuggets in points, rebounds, and assists. Jokić is averaging twenty-nine points, thirteen rebounds, eight assists, a steal, and a block during the first nine games of the season. Both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are averaging sixteen points a game. During a 123-101 win against the Chicago Bulls last Friday night, Murray played just ten minutes and suffered a right hamstring strain and will be sidelined for the rest of the month. How much of an impact will this make on the Nuggets season?
After the win last night, Nuggets point guard Reggie Jackson said this about Jokić, “He’s just that damn good. He’s making me look like I know what I’m doing out there.” Coach Mike Malone said this about Jamal Murray’s injury “This will be something that will be longer than we would like. You have to have the big picture in mind and make sure we're putting him in a position to get healthy before he comes back. Which team is the most legitimate threat to winning the NBA championship this season? Will the Denver Nuggets collect their second franchise championship this season?
