We NEED to Talk About the Nuggets…

After winning the NBA Finals in 2023, the Denver Nuggets led by Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr, and Kentavious Caldwell Pope felt like they had real dynasty potential led by a burgeoning all time great and a stacked supporting cast that didn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon. Fast forward two years later and after a Playoff loss to Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves as well as the loss of KCP to the Orlando Magic, the Denver Nuggets suddenly seem vulnerable. With a lack of shooting, depth, and worries about their defense, the Nuggets may need more than the addition of Russell Westbrook to save them. Otherwise, this may be the beginning of the end. Let's talk about it.

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#SummerLeague #DenverNuggets #nikolajokic

0:00 - Intro
1:05 - The Nuggets Post Championship
3:03 - The Problems
4:25 - Are the Nuggets Still Good Enough?
6:41 - Russell Westbrook Addition is Fun
9:05 - Less Confident Than Ever
11:28 - Outro

[CosmicProtectorBear]

A couple of things I think you’re misinformed on:

- In no scenario did they think that trading Reggie Jackson would free up enough cap space to keep KCP. They knew they weren’t going to be able to match an offer from another team without going into the second apron and that was something they weren’t willing to do.

- Braun’s defense is not a significant downgrade from KCP. KCP got torched by Anthony Edwards in that series. Braun was far more effective at slowing him down.

-MPJ did not “contribute at a high-level” the year they won the championship. He struggled shooting the entire playoffs and never really found his rhythm.

- I am surprised that you did not discuss the implications of the new CBA and the implications of entering the second apron on roster building. It will affect a lot teams in the near future. The whole video sounded like “Gee idk why the nuggets can’t keep every good player who’s ever played on their team. They are just fumbling Jokic’s prime and I don’t know why they would do that???”

[SOURJDADDY]

Jokic can only do so much. The inconsistency of Jamal Murray and Michael porter jr will be the nuggets downfall

[WHITEPERSUASON]

They need to get off that MPJ contract if possible. Its such a handcuff for their ability to make moves

[nicholaskatsikas]

The reason the Nuggets will still be good is because they have Nikola Jokic the best player in the world and one of the most adaptable offensive players in history. To me the Nuggets still have a good floor and a high ceiling but that ceiling depends on a lot on the younger players to make significant contributions. I think what will also be critical to them is how the salary cap rises because it’s clear to me ownership doesn’t want to over spend and get into the second apron. It shows how in this modern NBA it’s hard to build dynasty’s and win championships consistently. Shows how impressive the Bulls two separate three peats are. You need talent but also a good beat of luck to win a championship.

[godenhwang]

I really like the addition of Dario Saric because Denver likes to use Jokic as an offensive hub for handoffs a lot. But the bench unit obviously didn’t have a center. Saric is a great passer who can be the offensive hub for the bench which is what the bench kinda needs.

[rainofkhandaq]

KCP was nonexistent in the wolves series lol

[Nugschris]

Nugs didnt fumble anything. The rules forced bruce brown to leave and that rule will hit other teams as well. Fact is they simply werent allowed to match indianias offer. I think theyve done as well as they could the past 4-5 years. Please tell us what other moves they could have made?

[moonskeetz]

They don't really have a lot of options due to that MPJ max. The major keys to their success next season is their young core (Braun, Watson, Strawther) stepping up and Malone trusting these dudes. Mike gassed out the starters last playoffs because he's too into vets.

[Vawtra]

Honestly seeding really doesn’t matter too much. Just get into the playoffs healthy and anything can happen!

[glyle]

Losing Bruce Brown and KCP in consecutive offseasons is devastating. No clue how Denver let this happen when they were genuinely on the verge of a dynasty.

[thomaswestendorf]

Management got complacent after winning the Title (they lost Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, and KCP, and they traded Reggie Jackson for almost nothing).

[godenhwang]

Jokic shooting like 24% from three is obviously a outliner and I don’t expect him to shoot like ass forever

[orangesodazz]

I’m going to laugh so hard when the Nuggets win the Western Conference this postseason.

I love how quickly the narrative has changed because they barely lost to the Wolves with a hobbled Murray & severely underperforming KCP & MPJ.

Keep doubting, you’ll all be reminded soon enough.

[timberwolvesenthusiast]

it didn't help matters mpj forgot how to shoot in the minnesota series

[aaporter]

Y’all forgetting that every championship team has to adjust to players leaving or getting older … it’s happened plenty of times before … and we got big Jok don’t forget

[GTNover]

The nuggets won 48 games with Jokic, Gordon, Will Barton, Jeff Green, Monte Morris as starters and Facu Compazzo, Austin Rivers, and JaMychal Green off the bench.

This version of the nuggets is exponentially better. 54-56 wins this year

[Twreckless]

Nuggets fans at the beginning of last season were calling it Project Dynasty. We got the youth and now we added two veterans.

[saiken]

The MPJ contract killed their flexibility after the introduction of the 2nd apron.

[kevinscott]

Losing Da'Ron Holmes is a big blow. Still when Russ is on court w Joker, Gordon & MPJ, good luck getting a rebound. Don't discount D.Saric & J.Strawther. they'll give Denver some pretty good depth. I still think they're clearly better than Dal & LAL

[rahultalkssports]

As a Nuggs fan I 1 million% get why people are concerned about the KCP loss and DaRon Holmes' injury was devasting, but some dudes are overreacting acting like we're wasting Jokic's prime. How good we are does hinge a lot on the young guys like Braun, Watson, and Strawther, but I got faith in all of them to take a leap. We still got Jokic OFC and he's arguably the best player in the world along with Murray, AG, and MPJ. Denver is still going to be a top 4 seed in the West and they're still a threat to win it all, just comes down to the young guys and health OFC.