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Predictions for 2018-19 NBA season and how they impact the Denver Nuggets

By Grayson Moore

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 17: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge MVP trophy after the World Team defeated the US Team 150-141 in the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 17: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge MVP trophy after the World Team defeated the US Team 150-141 in the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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SANTA MONICA, CA – JUNE 25: MVP winner James Harden and Monja Willis speak onstage at the 2018 NBA Awards at Barkar Hangar on June 25, 2018, in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner Sports)
SANTA MONICA, CA – JUNE 25: MVP winner James Harden and Monja Willis speak onstage at the 2018 NBA Awards at Barkar Hangar on June 25, 2018, in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner Sports) /

NBA Awards

Most Valuable Player: PF Anthony Davis, NO Pelicans

Sleeper Pick: C Joel Embiid, PHI 76ers

How it affects the Nuggets: The Nuggets will have to play the Pelicans 3 times next season, and they could meet again in the postseason. If Davis unleashes his otherworldly athleticism, incredibly defensive instincts, and almost flawless offensive game every time he plays the Nuggets, they will have a very hard time beating the Pelicans. 3 losses may not seem damning, but in a crowded Western Conference, winning one of those games may mean making the playoffs, where losing one may mean Denver is hung out to dry after the regular season. If Davis plays at an MVP level against the Nuggets every time they meet him, it could spell trouble for their playoff aspirations.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Rookie of the Year: SG Luka Doncic, DAL Mavericks

Sleeper Pick: SG Lonnie Walker IV, SA Spurs

How it affects the Nuggets: Denver has to play the Mavericks 3 times next year. The play of a rookie may not single-handedly win those games for Dallas, but this guy just won MVP of the second best basketball league in the world. He was the most NBA ready prospect out of all the members of the 2018 draft class. He could make some waves this year, maybe influence a few games. The Nuggets just have to hope he doesn’t bring his best when he plays them because he has potential to be something greater than a Euro League MVP.

Defensive Player of the Year: C Rudy Gobert, UTA Jazz

Sleeper Pick: C Clint Capela, HOU Rockets

How it affects the Nuggets: The Nuggets face the Jazz four times next season, which means a lot of good games will be played in Denver and Utah. I think they will share the spoils of these games, each winning 2. That means that Gobert won’t have a huge impact on Denver’s season. However, Gobert is the best defender the NBA has seen in a while, in my opinion. His impact on other teams offensive gameplans is so profound that other teams often avoid facing him altogether. The Jazz’s opponents took just 25.4% of their shots from 0-3 feet away from the rim, 4th lowest in the league. That’s understandable, as Gobert allowed opponents to shoot just 51.4% on shots 0-6 feet away from the basket. He can win games on defense by forcing teams to take lower percentage shots against other good defenders. For the teams that play the Jazz frequently, that’s a bad thing. The Nuggets will reap the benefits of the several games Gobert will pry away from prospective playoff candidates.

Sixth Man of the Year: SG Lou Williams, LA Clippers

Sleeper Pick: PG Isaiah Thomas, DEN Nuggets

How it affects the Nuggets: The Nuggets have to play the Clippers 4 times next season, and they have seen first hand what Williams is capable of. He averaged 22.0 points and 5.3 assists per game against Denver with a box plus/minus of +3.0. While Williams struggles on the defensive side of the ball, which means the Nuggets can fairly easily match his offensive output, it’s hard to keep up with a guy who averages almost 23 points a night. He is an offensive wrecking ball, and currently, he’ll be able to put up as many shots as he wants on the Clippers. That makes him a prime SMOY candidate and a threat to the Nuggets postseason hopes, even if the Clippers likely won’t be there themselves.

Most Improved Player: C Myles Turner, IND Pacers

Sleeper Pick: SF Cedi Osman, CLE Cavaliers

How it affects the Nuggets: The Nuggets play the Pacers just twice next season, which means that Turner’s improved play won’t have a huge impact on Denver’s season. However, both matchups come near the end of the season during playoff make-or-break time. If Turner can shut down Nikola Jokic on one end of the court and take advantage of his defensive deficiencies, the Nuggets could lose 2 important late-season matchups. Turner’s play in those games could make or break the Nuggets postseason hopes, potentially.

Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, BOS Celtics

Sleeper Pick: Mike Budenholzer, MIL Bucks

How it affects the Nuggets: It is my opinion that Stevens is the best coach in the NBA and he should have won this award last year. I think he’ll grab it this year, however. The Nuggets play the Celtics just twice next year, including one game very late on in the season, but those games will presumably not have an enormous impact on Denver’s season as I fully expect them to lose those games. The Celtics have a more talented team, plain and simple. However, Stevens coaching could still have a big impact on the Nuggets season. If they win 60+ games, they will likely have beaten several Western Conference playoff competitors. Those games against the Celtics could prove crucial not just for the Nuggets, but for other Western Conference teams as well.

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