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Denver Nuggets: Can they win the Northwest Division next year?

By Mitchell Carter

DENVER - DECEMBER 3: Nene #31 and Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets sit prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 3, 2010 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER - DECEMBER 3: Nene #31 and Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets sit prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 3, 2010 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Reasons why they won’t win

1. Opposing teams are still very good

While I’m a huge advocate for why the Nuggets should get more respect in the Western Conference, let’s not forget their divisional opponents are very good as well.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are a very well balanced team that struck gold with the addition of Donovan Mitchell in last year’s draft. Pairing him with a rim protector in Rudy Gobert and a revamped Ricky Rubio will be very dangerous. They will look to use last season’s success as a stepping stone for this year.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Even though they have been in the news lately because of Jimmy Butler’s hate of Karl Anthony Towns’ work ethic, they still have two all-stars on their team. The team still has Andrew Wiggins who is capable of putting up 15-20 points a night and a strong point guard presence in Jeff Teague.

Portland Trail Blazers

Any team that has Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum should not be overlooked. This might be their last year together, but they’ve been giving Denver headaches for years and will not let up now.

Oklahoma City Thunder

This team signed Paul George to a maximum contract extension and got rid of Carmelo Anthony so they’re ready to win now. I’m still not a big fan of the George/Westbrook duo, but these two are two of the top 20 players on the planet so they deserve respect as much as the next team.

Next: Top 10 Denver Nuggets of all time

As you can see, there is a lot of talent within the Northwest Division. However, there isn’t one team that just jumps out at you as the clear favorite. think Denver is the most structurally put together team in the division, but it will determine on whether they show up each night.

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