The Nuggets haven't just been losing, they've been losing nail-biters in the closing seconds. And Tim Legler believes that inspires hope, rather than doom.
On the latest edition of the All NBA Podcast, Tim Legler brings up a great point that's been casually overlooked amid all of the bad parts of the Nuggets' recent run that have stuck out. They aren't getting blown out. On the contrary. A bounce either way, and the Nuggets are just as easily winners.
"The reality of it is, four of their most five recent losses, you're talking about change a possession or two in each game, and they win the game," Legler said. And he's right.
Over the recent tough patch, the Nuggets lost to the Pistons once by two points and a second time by three. The Cavs got them by two and now the Clippers by one. They went to double OT against the Knicks, a game in which Nikola Jokic went 1-13 from three. Only the Thunder got them by 10, but the game was never out of hand.
"They're not winning games that they're accustomed to winning," Legler said, alluding to the Nuggets' poor 14-14 record in clutch games this season. The Nuggets were 21-16 in such games last year, and 26-14 in 2023-24.
Legler had more reasons to be positive
"I'm looking at it more glass-half-full," Legler said. "They still don't have Aaron Gordon. Christian Braun just came back. Cam Johnson was out forever. I'm looking at that stuff." Yes, we get it already. The Nuggets' lineup has been a revolving door.
But as Legler continues, the Nuggets are working their way back to full strength. Slowly, but surely, with time to gel. "There's plenty of time to hit their stride and find their rhythm."
And another thing to remember. We're having this conversation while Jokic is handling the rock worse than he's ever handled it. He went for 22 and 17 but only had 6 assists against the Clippers, and people said he had a 'bad game.'
The Nuggets are scraping by while Jokic's only been sub-par for Jokic's lofty standards. And Jamal Murray hasn't been clutch. He's had multiple chances to force overtime, only to miss a final-second free-throw.
Legler's right. The problems the Nuggets are experiencing are fixable. A three goes in. A free throw goes in. Or Jokic doesn't turn it over, and the Nuggets win.
The problem is that the damage is already done. The Nuggets aren't likely to reach the two seed in the West without a Spurs slump. But a three seed is still well within reach, and a championship could be too if the ball bounces just right for the Nuggets.