Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nuggets are silently moving toward a second championship

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 4/11/24

The Denver Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions. They swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals and took care of the Miami Heat in a five-game series in the NBA Finals. This season, they've amassed a 56-24 record while securing the first seed in the loaded West.

Yet, when we hear about championship contenders, the Nuggets' name is usually an afterthought. That's despite them boasting the best player in the world in Nikola Jokic. However, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne expects Denver to secure a second straight championship.

"I think they're poised for a repeat, and I think they're poised to be there for the next five years," Shelburne said.

"I think they're poised for a repeat and I think they're poised to be there for the next five years." @ramonashelburne has strong confidence in the Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/scIb3fl1Ms
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 11, 2024

Shelburne's comments come after the Nuggets overcame a difficult Minnesota Timberwolves team on Tuesday. Chris Finch's roster has been knocking on the door in the Western Conference all season. However, Denver's continuity, talent and championship experience shone through during the contest. The final score was 116-107.

The Nuggets will undoubtedly feel confident heading into the playoffs. They navigated the regular season with expertise and class. Now, they will need to turn their production up a level and prove they're capable of defending their championship crown.

With Jokic and Jamal Murray in the rotation, Mike Malone's team will have a chance against any roster in the league. However, the Boston Celtics could prove to be a tough out should they meet each other in the NBA Finals. Nevertheless, the Nuggets appear to have flown under the radar despite their dominant season. That's likely how they like it. They're a small market team, after all.

Nevertheless, the Nuggets have all the tools to be a repeat champion. They've repeatedly proved themselves over the past 18 months. It doesn't matter if the Nuggets are not spoken about as frequently as other teams by the media. The fact remains that the Nuggets are a championship-caliber team, and they could add another banner to the Ball Arena in the coming months.

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