NBA midseason grades: Northwest Division

With more than half the NBA having reached the halfway point of their seasons, it’s high time we assess how teams are traveling in relation to their internal expectations. To that end, these grades are relative: The Milwaukee Bucks have a better record than the Utah Jazz, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will receive a higher grade.

We’re going to begin our journey with the almost hilariously strong Northwest Division, before heading over the Atlantic.

Without further ado…

Denver Nuggets (28-13 record): A

From every crisis comes opportunity. In Denver, with their entire starting unit sidelined, opportunity came for Peyton Watson, who has been incredible over the past month, averaging 23.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and a steal since the calendar flipped. His 47.6% deep shooting likely won’t sustain, but he has established himself as a bona fide weapon for the Nuggets.

Jamal Murray has also stepped up in Nikola Jokic’s absence, with his 25.8 points, 7.5 assists and 44.6% three-point percentage all career highs. If he’s not an All-Star this season, it’s never going to happen.  

The only thing holding them back from an A+? All of those injuries.

Minnesota Timberwolves (27-14): A

The Wolves have quietly rounded into the sort of form that has seen them make consecutive conference finals. They are top 10 in both offense (sixth) and defense (eighth), both traditional harbingers of championship contention.

Rudy Gobert, after a slow start, would be the favorite for yet another Defensive Player of the Year, should Victor Wembanyama fail to reach the games threshold. Jaden McDaniels has found another level as a two-way player. Julius Randle (22.2 points, 7.1 boards, 5.7 assists and a steal per game) might make his fourth All-Star team. And then there’s Anthony Edwards.

Edwards continues his ascendance into superstardom, scoring a career high 28.9 points on 50/41/79 shooting splits, whilst assuming de facto point guard duties. On that note, even the calcification of Mike Conley hasn’t impacted them, with the "Bones Hyland Reclamation Project" proving a success.

Oklahoma City Thunder (35-7): A+

It tells a tale that the Thunder have cooled off considerably from their torrid start and are still on course to win 70 games this campaign. Perhaps the most telling stat indicative of that drop off has been that since suffering their second loss of the season back on Dec. 13, the Thunder are shooting 31.7% from three, collectively, down from 39.8% prior.

To think that they’re still getting Jalen Williams warmed into the season post wrist surgery, and big men Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren have missed several games, and it stands to reason that the Thunder are more likely to recover their early-season form than regress further.

Sam Presti has assembled a basketball doomsday machine.

Portland Trail Blazers (20-22): A-

Their form late last season was supposed to be a mirage. Their hot-shot young guard is either injured or, when he does play, ineffective. And yet, the Blazers continue to defy the odds.

How have they done it?

Tiago Splitter has stepped in admirably in Chauncey Billups' stead and has inarguably outperformed the former boss. Veteran Jrue Holiday has steadied the point position and, since his injury, Deni Avdija (26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.5 "stocks") has taken on even more responsibility, often both initiating and finishing plays.

They’ve also continued to find gems on the fringes, like Toumani Camara.

Utah Jazz (14-27): B-

The Jazz jettisoned the vast majority of their veterans in the off-season, finally deciding to see what they have in the kids. Some have floundered (Cody Williams and the unfortunate Taylor Hendricks), while others, namely Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh, have thrived.

Head coach Will Hardy continues to design innovative sets that keep defenses guessing and allow his youngsters to shine. Utah’s defense, though, remains apocalyptically bad. Though when you’re loaded with youth and your veterans are not exactly defensive trend setters, that’s to be expected.