Nuggets wing Michael Porter Jr. summed up why every contending team should be very afraid of the defending champions.
THE Denver Nuggets do not have generated a lot of noise during their title defense season, as they are currently the third seed in the Western Conference even after their 103-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night. Right now, they’re looking at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference standings, while the Boston Celtics look like a world-class team armed with the best core in the NBA.
However, the Nuggets detect blood in the water; As the teams head into the home stretch, the reigning NBA champion has one goal in mind: winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the second straight season. Michael Porter Jr.. comments following their victory over the Heat sums up everything the league has to fear about the reigning titleholders.
“We’re in lockdown right now. Before the break, everyone was looking forward to the break, and then the break goes by so quickly and you realize you don’t have another break,” Porter said in his post-match statement, via Ryan Blackburn of Mile High Sports.
Indeed, the Nuggets look like a much more focused team coming out of the All-Star break. After a discouraging loss to the Sacramento Kings ended their season’s pre-All-Star break in less than ideal fashion, they won their first five games in Indianapolis, including three quality wins against teams over .500 in the Golden State Warriors, Kings, and Heat (in that exact order).
It’s a sign of a well-coached team and a team full of chemistry that the Nuggets are able to rise to the occasion. For Michael Porter Jr., he recognized the fact that the Nuggets, despite the loss Jamal Murray during their fight against the Heat, brought a little something extra at the table which allowed them to win a shorthanded victory.
“We play a lot of games, so as much as I’d like to say ‘every night you have it,’ some nights you just don’t have it. But big game against the team we played in NBA Finals. I think everyone was locked in tonight,” Porter added.
The Nuggets still reign supreme and teams should be very scared going up against them in the playoffs.
About the Author
Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he is a very sports-traumatized person. He now writes about sport as a form of therapy.
