It’s time for an honest assessment: the primary issue isn’t health.
Against all odds, the Nuggets have managed to secure a 35-20 record by the All-Star break. This feat is remarkable, considering their constantly crowded infirmary, the four-week absence of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon’s limited 23 games played, and both Christian Braun and Cam Johnson missing half the season.
What an incredible journey.
What a potential disappointment.
This period of rest provides the Nuggets an opportunity to reset. However, upon their return, without significant improvements, their season risks being defined by frustration.
I regret to inform you, but the Nuggets’ defense is once again lacking.
Under the astute guidance of first-year coach David Adelman, the Nuggets compiled a 10-6 record during Jokic’s absence. They currently hold the third position in the Western Conference.
They secured impressive road victories in Boston and Philadelphia.
Nevertheless, this level of play will not suffice in the playoffs.
With 20 road wins, they are tied for the most in the NBA.
But they can’t manage to defeat the Cavaliers and Lakers at home?
Through 55 games, the Nuggets have elevated their baseline performance, yet their ultimate championship potential appears to be static.
What’s the underlying issue? Why the skepticism?
The Nuggets are ranked 24th in overall defensive rating, 29th in clutch situations, and consistently fail to generate turnovers.
And you thought the Broncos were the only team that struggled to create takeaways? The Thunder have already amassed as many losses this season (14) as they did all of last year. No team in the East truly instills fear.
What a golden chance. What a missed opportunity.
For every positive development — Jamal Murray’s ascent to an All-Star caliber player, the emergence of Peyton Watson, and the progress of Jalen Pickett and Julian Strawther — there remains a lingering concern.
The Nuggets boast the league’s top offense, yet they struggle to get defensive stops. The NBA marveled at Denver’s resilience, holding everything together with minimal resources, often missing up to four starters.
Meanwhile, those of us who predicted them to win the NBA championship — my hand is raised — are now questioning if another prime season for Jokic will culminate in frustration.
Even a recently somewhat inconsistent Jokic — averaging 4.4 turnovers per game since his return, with 19 over his last three outings — remains an unstoppable offensive force. And Murray has maintained consistent performance from the season’s outset.
However, for the Nuggets to truly contend for another title, they must improve their defensive containment of opponents.
Where is Pat Surtain II when you need him?
Despite all the apprehension regarding the urgency to capitalize on having the world’s best player, the Nuggets’ ultimate fate will largely be determined by Gordon, Watson, Braun, Bruce Brown, and Spencer Jones.
Gordon is the essential piece that brings cohesion to the team. His ability to guard both forwards and centers offers critical versatility, especially as half-court possessions become more central to playoff outcomes. A key concern is whether he can remain healthy for 16 postseason victories, given his history of calf and hamstring issues. Nevertheless, his extensive track record merits the benefit of the doubt.
Watson is still young. His hamstring injury is expected to resolve. The Nuggets desperately need his length on the perimeter. It’s not difficult to foresee Denver again losing in seven games in the second round if their 3-point defense doesn’t improve. Watson is a crucial part of that solution.
Braun is indispensable. When the Nuggets clinched the championship in 2023, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a relentless defender, sticking to top shooting guards like glue. Braun has demonstrated capabilities as a strong on-ball defender, but can his ankle be trusted this spring?
Initial performances strongly suggested otherwise. However, the last three games indicate an upward trajectory.
Brown and Jones are dependable players. Brown will fiercely compete against the best and ensure everyone knows it. Jones contributes energy and effort that are visibly impactful. The Nuggets are deliberately taking their time to convert Jones from a two-way to a standard contract, attributing the delay to the All-Star break and the player’s recovery from a concussion.
The notion that the Nuggets’ championship hopes hinge on Jones might sound improbable, but it is not. He doesn’t need to be a factor every single night. However, he will likely need to swing a game or two with a critical steal or similar impactful play.
Should the Nuggets fail to reach at least the NBA Finals, it would represent a greater squandered opportunity than the Broncos’ AFC Championship defeat to the Patriots. At least the Broncos had valid excuses: no Bo Nix and a coach who made a crucial kicking error.
The Nuggets have frequently cited injuries as a blanket excuse for all their flaws and missteps, often suggesting improvement will come “once everyone is back.” However, this perspective misses the core issue.
It’s not merely about reuniting the full roster. It’s about playing with intentionality and purpose on both ends of the floor. Last season, the Nuggets’ defense was chaotic, leading former coach Michael Malone to criticize them so vehemently after a loss in Portland that I wondered if he knew he was about to be fired or perhaps even desired it.
Regardless of compromised rotations, the Nuggets have not shown any defensive improvement this season.
We can all readily identify reasons why the Nuggets haven’t replicated their 2023 championship heights — perhaps too much fatigue, too much internal drama, or insufficient bench depth.
These justifications must cease. This team was assembled with the ambition of achieving significant success.
Adelman, an offensive mastermind, needs his team to defend with genuine conviction and determination.
You understand the implication, right? With Jokic now back, his teammates need to support him. They must replicate the defensive intensity they showed in his absence—prioritizing containment, executing switches, and generating turnovers.
Because one undeniable truth is becoming apparent. If the Nuggets fall short of their aspirations, there will be no way to justify their performance.