The NBA is currently on hold due to the All-Star break, which brings the perfect opportunity to grade the Denver Nuggets’ performance so far this season.
Entering the season, the Nuggets were expected to be a top team in the Western Conference once again, but they had a disappointing start to the season. Denver began the season 11-10 and looked as though they were going to be a Play-In team.
Since then, the Nuggets have been on fire as they currently hold a 36-19 record, which has them sitting third in the West standings, just half of a game behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the second seed. They were also the hottest team entering the All-Star break as they are currently on an eight-game winning streak.
Of course, Nikola Jokic has led the way for the Nuggets this season. The three-time MVP is putting together arguably the best season of his already incredible career and finds himself in the MVP race once again.
Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. react during a game against the Knicks.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The rest of Denver’s roster has also performed well this season despite getting off to a slow start. Michael Porter Jr. has taken another step forward this season as he has been arguably the Nuggets’ second-best player this season. Jamal Murray has also had a solid season after finally breaking out of his shooting slump.
Denver has also seen Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook have great seasons. Aaron Gordon has also been solid this season, but he has missed a ton of time due to a hamstring and calf injury.
While Denver’s starting unit has been great this season, their bench has been the complete opposite. The Nuggets’ bench has been one of the least productive in the NBA this season, and they elected to not make any deals at the trade deadline to upgrade their roster.
The Nuggets now enter the second half of the season as the hottest team in the NBA as they not only try to continue to climb the West standings but also win their second championship in three seasons.