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Who the Denver Nuggets don’t want to see in the first round

By Blake Holmes

DENVER, CO - MARCH 31: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a free-throw against the Washington Wizards on March 31, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 31: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a free-throw against the Washington Wizards on March 31, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- MARCH 31: Jerami Grant #9 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 31, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- MARCH 31: Jerami Grant #9 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 31, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The first team that the Denver Nuggets don’t want to see in the first round is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It’s true, the Nuggets swept the Thunder 4-0 this season. They played them in an incredible fashion, consistently saving some of their best performances for the star-studded Thunder team. The four wins against them were huge boosts as they are also a Northwest Division rival, and the Thunder have been in free-fall for a couple of weeks now, currently in the eighth spot of the conference.

Don’t let that dictate the playoffs. I hate to hear the argument of playoff experience as a reason why the Nuggets cannot make a run, but it is very valid here. It’s worth noting that Paul George, an MVP candidate, and Russell Westbrook, a former MVP, have both have been on several deep playoff runs. They’ve played the Nuggets and lost to them four times this season and they would be out for vengeance. What’s the best way to get revenge on a team that’s dominated you in the regular season? Knocking the team out of the playoffs and ending their season.

The problem that comes with the Nuggets is their lack of star power. Don’t get me wrong, that’s one thing I love about this team, as they play unselfishly and through each other. However, when the game is on the line and you tell someone to go get you a bucket, who are you calling on? We know that Nikola Jokic has shown the clutch gene in the past along with Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, but when the defense tightens up in the playoffs, can they compare to the likes of George and Westbrook? Maybe they can, we just won’t know until that moment comes.

The Thunder shoot well, defend well and play well with each other. Getting them in the first round would be a huge test for the young Nuggets, who just might be another year or two away.

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