The Denver Nuggets should make the post season next year, but they will have a tough road through the competitive Western Conference.
The Denver Nuggets are in perhaps, the best Western Conference in recent memory. Almost any other season, they would have been good enough to have gotten a decent playoff seed.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. However, one cannot help but feel this team is ready to make that next step and become a post season team next year.
So, how will they do this and navigate through their tough conference? Well, let’s preview some of the possible playoff teams next season.
First of all, Portland has to figure something out. They are great in the regular season, but have gotten swept in the playoffs two years in a row. Denver won the season series against them this season.
Golden State and Houston are givens and should be the top two seeds again next year barring something big happening.
New Orleans will be an intriguing team to watch going forward with Anthony Davis’ development and the current state of DeMarcus Cousins and his contract.
Minnesota will have a hard decision to make soon with Jimmy Butler and/or Karl Anthony Towns. They should still be a force to reckon with for a few years.
Utah was the big revelation with Donovan Mitchell. San Antonio is always going to be a staple in the post season as long as Gregg Popovich is the head coach.
With these teams in mind, this leaves about one playoff spot for the Nuggets. I personally believe they will get in next year and actually be a top five seed.
A bold prediction, but one cannot deny the development and progress with this core.
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The Nuggets are another team who will add to the competitiveness of the West.