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MUST READ: The Nuggets’ Top 10 Rivalries from 2016

By Tim Hart

Jan 13, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) guards Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) guards Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Nuggets lost several close games last year. With goals of reaching the playoffs eluding the eager squad for a third consecutive season, each loss has left an extra bitter taste in the mouth of Denver fans and players alike.

But, while knowing that a playoff-clinching record was realistically within reach is a particularly painful notion for Nugget-folk, with twenty-seven losses coming at single-digit deficits, this feeling is shared with many other lower-ranking Western Conference teams.

The conference is as tough now as it has ever been, and just about every western team has a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. Nuggets fans can expect a season filled with extremely hard and passionately fought games, as the sting from many of last season’s match-ups will undoubtedly raise the on-court tension between the Nuggets and their current rival teams.

If there is any rivalry list in today’s NBA, you can bet on the Warriors making it. They made the Nuggets’ list, and while most their heated match-ups come from other Western Conference teams, which makes perfect sense, don’t count out the East; the Nuggets lost two one-point games to the Nets (one of which came in OT), and went 1-3 against the Grizzlies (with an average difference of less than five points per-game).

By looking back at heated match-ups and games from the 2015-16 season, it seems fit to expect at least ten potential series for the 2016-17 season that could deliver the passionate tension specific to great rivalries.

They rank as follows: 

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