Denver Nuggets: Who will rise to the top of the Northwest’s ultra-talented player pool in 2018-19?
The Northwest Division rapidly developed into the NBA’s most brutally competitive bunch in 2017-18. For a reference point, the Denver Nuggets finished at the bottom with a 46-36 (.561) record. Who owns the next-best record as an NBA cellar-bum? The Brooklyn Nets of the Atlantic Division, posting a 28-54 (.341) mark (ESPN).
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Despite placing 5th among five teams, the Nuggets finished just one game out of the playoffs. Bottom of the division is an unjust way to sum up Denver’s season. Although this is technically accurate, Denver’s record would have placed them 6th in the Eastern Conference (ESPN). Give the guys some credit for a winning season…and Adam Silver his due criticism for this failed conference format.
Obviously, this high-caliber division will contain its share of excellent players. Yet, the preseason all-division squad is shockingly clear. Four positions are no-doubters, while the center slot is a close-call between two players.
Let’s have a look. Keep in mind, the presiding structure is the G,G,F,F,C All-Star format.
Northwest Division First Team:
G: Damian Lillard
2017-18 Stats (ESPN): 26.9 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.5 rpg, 43.9 FG%, 36.1 3P%
Lillard is an elite-level guard for the sneaky-effective Portland Trail Blazers. His combined three-point shooting, athleticism and play-making is unmatched in today’s game. It is not uncommon for Dame to hit a tough three-pointer, and then dunk on a big man one possession later. Although fellow guards Jamal Murray and CJ McCollum are set for huge seasons, neither will come close to dethroning Dame. Lillard’s level is a great destination for Jamal Murray to aspire to.
G: Russell Westbrook
2017-18 Stats (ESPN): 25.4 ppg, 10.3 apg, 10.1 rpg, 44.9 FG%, 29.8 3P%
Similar to Dame, Westbrook is miles ahead of other Northwest guards. Russ might be the most athletic player in the NBA today. His fearless drives and mind-boggling finishes have fans questioning their eyesight. Westbrook often appears to be moving in a different gear than the other nine players. When Russell’s shooting heats up, especially at mid-range, he is near impossible to stop. He is the only player besides Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double on the season. Can you believe this dude used to play on a squad with Harden and Durant?
F: Jimmy Butler
2017-18 Stats (ESPN): 22.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.9 apg, 47.4 FG%, 35.0 3P%
Jimmy Butler is another easy call for this all-division squad. An all-around offensive talent and hellacious defender, Butler has proven himself one of the league’s premier forwards. Butler is a force driving to the hoop, either finishing at the rim or diming a teammate. He also boasts a devastating pull-up jumper, and a sneaky-effective floater in the lane. Jimmy proved himself a Nugget-killer down the stretch in multiple games last year. Defensively, he’ll promise any offensive player a tough, physical grind.
F: Paul George
2017-18 Stats (ESPN): 21.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.3 apg, 43.0 FG%, 40.1 3P%
Here is another premier two-way forward. Paul George is packed so tight with talent, his slender 6’9 frame couldn’t take another drop. Offensively, PG-13 is a sweet shooter, with strong handles and the ability to pull-up on anyone. He gets buckets with ease as a complete three-segment scorer…proficiently splashing the three, knocking down from mid-range, or finishing at the rack. George uses his length, reach and quick hands to disrupt top scorers defensively. Now that Carmelo flew south, look for Paul to bounce back from last year’s mini-drop.
C: Nikola Jokic
2017-2018 Stats (ESPN): 18.5 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 6.1 apg, 49.9 FG%, 39.6 3P%
For the final spot, Jokic edges Karl Anthony-Towns by a smidgen. As tough as this pick was…it never actually wavered. Jokic is a dude on the up-and-up, posting career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3P% last season. He spent 2017-18 spearheading one of the league’s gushiest offenses. Meanwhile, Towns under-performed, and Minnesota nearly botched a playoff shoo-in. Jokic may end his career as the NBA’s best-passing center. He also scores at a high clip, boasting a variety of feathery jumpers and smooth post moves.