It seems all of the panic surrounding the Denver Nuggets was a bit untimely. After an 0-2 begin the place the Nuggets legitimately seemed like one of many worst groups within the NBA, they turned issues round in a rush.
Michael Malone and firm have gained 5 video games in a row and 7 of their final eight to relaunch themselves atop the Western Convention. Nikola Jokic seems like an MVP candidateMichael Porter Jr. has began to play higher and the Nuggets’ younger items have began to develop into the roles they’re requested to play.
Russell Westbrook additionally performed good basketball in latest weeks after some unhealthy matches initially of the season. The previous Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder star continues to make NBA historical past whereas additionally serving because the Nuggets’ sixth man. After a 10-assist outing Friday evening in opposition to the Miami Warmth, Westbrook now has the seventh most video games with 10 or extra assists coming off the bench in NBA historical past, in response to StatMamba.
Westbrook started to develop chemistry with Jokic and the remainder of the Nuggets’ supporting solid and likewise served as a starter whereas Jamal Murray was out with a concussion. If the 2 groups can proceed to construct and enhance collectively, maybe the Nuggets might be the primary group to persuade Westbrook to completely play a supporting function.
Nikola Jokic dominates Nuggets’ profitable streak
The Nuggets’ latest streak of success has been largely fueled by their MVP, who seems to be a powerful contender for the award once more in 2024-25. Nikola Jokic was the perfect participant within the NBA in 10 video games and is the primary cause why the Nuggets discover themselves close to the highest of the Western Convention even after disastrous first video games.
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For the season, Jokic is averaging 29.7 factors, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists per sport. He at the moment leads the league in rebounds and assists, whereas taking pictures over 56% from the sector and from the 3-point line. Jokic additionally already has six triple-doubles, together with 4 straight video games with one, so his multi-faceted skillset has been on full show.
Sunday evening could have been Jokic’s greatest efficiency so far. Whereas locked in a decent matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, who have been benefiting from a wild evening from Kyrie Irving, Jokic continued to play after it paid off, each along with his scoring and his assists. He completed the sport with 37 factors, 18 rebounds and 15 assists on 13-of-21 taking pictures. On an evening the place among the Nuggets’ function gamers did not carry out at their greatest, Jokic’s dominance propelled them to the highest .
One other MVP could be Jokic’s fourth award within the final 5 seasons, which might be a ridiculous feat not seen since LeBron James within the late 2000s and early 2010s, nevertheless it appears like he’ll be again within the sport if he can do it. keep wholesome. If he does that and the Nuggets proceed to win, it is likely to be exhausting to not vote for him once more.
