It’s not just that the Nuggets are off to an impressive 10-2, but what’s truly eye-opening is the fact that nine of the team’s first 12 games have ended up as double-digit victories. Denver is only the fifth team to ever achieve that feat, with the previous four all going on to at least reach the NBA Finals that season.
The only other teams to win at least nine of their first 12 games by double-digit margins were the Thunder last season, the Bulls in the 1996-97 season, and the Celtics in both the 1984-85 and 1962-63 seasons. Of those four, only the 84-85 Celtics lost the Finals, while the other three teams ended up raising banners.
It shows that these teams were incredibly connected and hit the ground running to start their respective seasons, not just winning, but dominating. The 62-63 Celtics had won four straight titles with largely the same group and were in the midst of one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
Similarly, the 84-85 team was wedged in between championship seasons for the Celtics, and that was right around the peak of one of the greatest teams in league history, led by Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale.
The 96-97 Bulls were, of course, right in the middle of their second three-peat with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. And last season’s Thunder team was the culmination of a long, steady run built around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Continuity paying off for Nuggets
The lesson here is clear: continuity pays off. The Nuggets have kept their core of Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray together for six seasons now, and the chemistry they’ve built is irreplaceable. They’ve drafted players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson, who have grown up around them, and they’ve filled in the bench with role players who complement the stars.
It’s a great mix, and it’s paying major dividends early, as the Nuggets are going out and stomping teams. They look to be in midseason form while other teams are still getting their feet wet, and in many cases, adjusting and learning to play with each other.
Denver has plenty of new players and plenty of old players in new roles, but the core is consistent, and those guys are leading the way and making it easy to fit in. It has resulted in some beautiful basketball, and hopefully, there’s even more to come, and a higher level for this group to reach once everyone is fully acclimated.