Western Conference Playoff Seedings 2019: Where do the Denver Nuggets rank?

5) San Antonio Spurs

If last year proved anything, it’s that the San Antonio Spurs are perpetually a playoff team. Bouncing back from all the adversity and would you believe it, controversy, to stealing a game from the world champion Warriors. Led by perhaps the greatest NBA coach ever, the Spurs will get the most out of their roster. Whilst Manu (in the NBA) is no more. (https://bit.ly/2Q4obwx), Popovich may well have DeMar DeRozan playing the best basketball of his career. Plus, rookie Lonnie Walker will have a legitimate shot at being made into a star. To be frank, the new roster is better and the Spurs as a result are a threat to break the 50 win barrier, again.

6) Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are a dark horse this year. Last year they did so much right that presumably the best thing they could have done is keep their roster the same and pay the luxury tax. Instead, Ariza and Luc Richard M’bah A Mouté are gone with their replacements doing far less two-way play than they ever did. Ariza often took on the opposing teams best player. (https://bit.ly/2wMUoR4) So whilst the Rockets may produce at a similar rate offensively, defensively they are less formidable. Whilst other teams in the West i.e. the teams above, have all gotten stronger.

7) Denver Nuggets

The thorn in the Nuggets side to date has been their defense. (https://nugglove.com/2018/08/28/denver-nuggets-defense/) However, the Nuggets ought to be significantly better in this regard with Jamal Murray better understanding his role on that end. (https://bit.ly/2PFVXbj) A healthy Millsap has statistically proven to translate to a better Nuggets defense. (https://bit.ly/2PbmmN5) Similarly, a healthy Mason Plumlee will help the Nuggets better defend the pick and roll.

To paraphrase Houston Rockets coach Jeff Bzdelik, historically in the NBA, championship caliber teams are exceptional on both ends of the floor. (https://bit.ly/2wu6QUQ)

With the Denver Nuggets offense outperforming that of the Golden State Warriors for significant parts of last season. (Notably when the players have had the freedom to play ‘Jokic ball’) (https://bit.ly/2oM7bi3) The Nuggets truly have the potential to follow the age-old formula of success in the NBA by being a two-way threat.

8) Portland Trailblazers

The Portland Trailblazers are nothing to sniff at. They have made a habit of making the playoffs and have given the game’s very best a genuine run for their money.

However, whereas many felt the Rockets should have kept their roster the same seeing how competitive it was against the Warriors. The reverse is true of the Blazers, who got swept out of the playoffs by the Pelicans.

The Blazers have stayed still while virtually all of the above teams have taken steps forward. As the saying goes, if you stand still, you go backwards and the same is true here. However, the familiarity of all involved, coupled with the exceptional partnership of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum will likely be enough to ensure the Blazers keep their playoff streak alive.