2021 NBA playoffs power rankings: Are the Sixers real contenders?
73. . No. 3 seed. . Denver Nuggets. 7. team
2021 NBA playoffs power rankings — 7. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have the rightful MVP and one of the best players in the NBA in Nikola Jokic. That alone makes them a formidable foe, especially when you consider Jokic’s general tendency to better those around him. The Nuggets have an elite shooting wing in Michael Porter Jr., as well as a lockdown wing defender in Aaron Gordon. Many of the pieces are there.
Unfortunately, one key piece is missing. Jamal Murray is out for the season with a torn ACL, leaving the Nuggets without an All-Star caliber guard in the backcourt. Murray’s ability to close games and ease the creation burden on Jokic is critical to the Nuggets’ success. Without him, Denver simply lacks the firepower to contend with the absolute best of the best.
Even so, Denver did keep up its momentum in the regular season after Murray went down. Jokic is a heck of a player, while the role players are competent across the board. The Nuggets took down Damian Lillard and Co. in six games despite the Murray injury, an impressive feat in and of itself.
As of now, it seems likely that Phoenix — barring unfortunate circumstances or a rollicking comeback — will advance past Denver. The Suns are better. Even so, the Nuggets deserve their flowers. That is a good basketball team that has weathered a lot of storms this season.