1. Denver Nuggets
After making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals in the NBA bubble, the Denver Nuggets were expected to take a leap forward as a team. Well, that could still happen, but for now, they have begun the 2020-21 season achieving sluggish results.
After coming up short against the Phoenix Suns for their latest loss, the Nuggets now hold just a 1-4 record. At this current point, Denver has the most losses of any team in the Western Conference.
The leap that Jamal Murray was supposed to take in his development for the Nuggets after his impressive performance in the NBA bubble has yet to happen. He’s averaging just 17.7 points and 2.0 assists while posting just 39.5% FG, 36.4% 3P, and 68.8% FT shooting splits. The Nuggets need better than that…much better, to be exact.
It’s too early to make any long standing declarations, but if Murray doesn’t take the next step, the ceiling for this Nuggets will remain well below title contention status. The initial five games of Denver’s season hasn’t given reason for confidence that he will get it done.
There’s plenty of time for Murray and the Nuggets to turn things around. Nikola Jokic has been effective as usual and Michael Porter Jr. has looked great when he’s been in the lineup, but regardless, Denver doesn’t quite have the same level of depth as they did in recent NBA seasons.
