![]() Additionally, Denver’s “full-strength rating” is even higher than the Suns, who just clinched a playoff spot with Chris Paul on the shelf. Those are the second-highest percentages in the West behind Phoenix and the fourth-highest in the league. But one projection model thinks Denver is getting the short end of the stick.įiveThirtyEight‘s NBA projections, which update daily, give the Nuggets a 26% chance to win the West and a 14% chance to win the Finals. The Nuggets are roughly 11th or 12th on the list of teams with the highest odds to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy. On average, oddsmakers aren’t too worried about Murray and Porter’s inevitable returns. But his greatness alone is not enough for Denver to win its first NBA title. If Jokic is healthy, the Nuggets will be a threat. Jamal Murray Blasts Nikola Jokic Haters Amid Competitive NBA MVP Race One projection likes the Nuggets’ chances to make noise in the playoffs Even as the six-seed, Denver could do something very similar this year. In 2020, Jokic, Murray, and Porter helped lead Denver to seven-game victories over the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers before falling to the LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. When fully healthy, the Nuggets have already proven their ability to make noise in the tournament. With Porter expected to return from back surgery within the next couple of weeks and Murray almost a year removed from a torn ACL, Denver has a very good chance to add two high-caliber players to one of the best all-around rosters ahead of the playoffs. But keep in mind, the Nuggets have also played without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., their two best players not named Nikola Jokic. Only the Suns, Warriors, Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, and Boston Celtics are top-11 in both. Thanks in large part to Jokic, Denver is eighth in offensive rating and 11th in defensive rating. That needs to change as soon as possible. After all, their 40-27 record only places them sixth in the West, two games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the play-in round. There hasn’t been much talk around the Nuggets this season. Out east, there are numerous teams getting some title buzz, including the first-place Miami Heat and the Joel Embiid-led Philadelphia 76ers. Josh Eberley ? March 7, 2022įor the vast majority of the season, the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors have been the favorites to win the West. If MPJ/Murray are back and close to normal, Nuggets might jump right into a title. The Nuggets are flying under the radar in title conversations This means the Nuggets are being led by a center putting up one of the greatest seasons in NBA history. ![]() To put that into perspective, Michael Jordan’s best season was 13.0. With 0.0 considered league average, Jokic enters the weekend at 13.9. ![]() ![]() According to Basketball Reference, “BPM uses a player’s box score information, position, and the team’s overall performance to estimate the player’s contribution in points above league average per 100 possessions played.” There is a laundry list of other stats Jokic dominates in, though none show his impact on the Nuggets more than box plus-minus. Denver went 3-1 in those contests, improving its overall record to 40-27. In a four-game, five-night stretch, Jokic averaged 34.8 points on 61.9% shooting to go with 14.3 rebounds and 10.0 assists. The last few days have been especially impressive for the Serbian star. He’s also shooting 57.1% from the field and holds an effective field-goal percentage of 61.4%, a career-high. Through 60 games, the 27-year-old is averaging 26.1 points, 8.1 assists, and a whopping 13.9 rebounds. In year seven, the Joker is somehow better. The sixth-year center set career-highs of 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists while playing in all 72 games. The NBA community marveled at Jokic’s 2020-21 season. Things could change in a month, but right now he is CLEARLY the MVP.- Stan Van Gundy March 10, 2022 Leads the league in Win Shares, Value Over Replacement Player, Player Efficiemcy Rating and On-Off Differential. Nikola Jokic is the only NBA player in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding and assists.
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