So we would tend to answer « health » because it is still the main element that today seems to separate the Nuggets from their ambitions. For the past two seasons, the Nuggets have been weighed down by injuries and have thus not been able to find the last four of the Playoffs as in 2020 despite the immense exploits of Nikola Jokic. What is missing, or is it missing something to this team to take the lead in the Western Conference? It’s not quite the same question. What is missing for this team to go to the NBA Finals? For this, he has already brought in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown during the offseason, interesting pieces that should be able to blend into the Denver collective. It is proof of the confidence that his superiors have in him, however the mission of succeeding Connelly is far from easy and the former player will have to show that he has the skills to take the Nuggets as high as possible. Result, it is the general manager Calvin Booth who now has the controls of the boat, he who has just been extended for several seasons by the Denver franchise. But Connelly is no longer in Denver since he took the road to Minnesota to transform all the Wolves draft capital into Rudy Gobert. win games… How will Calvin Booth replace Tim Connelly?Īrchitect of the Nuggets as we know them today, Tim Connelly is one of the most respected leaders in the NBA. Finally, let’s not forget that the Joker will now be accompanied by Murray and Porter Jr., who will be able to give him the support he did not really have last season when he had to turn 35-13-9 to allow Denver to win. Not to mention that putting Nikola alongside Bird, Russell and Chamberlain is a line some won’t want to cross knowing that neither Michael Jordan, nor LeBron James, nor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (and others) fall into that category.

Between the expectations which are increasingly strong and voters who will probably want to go and reward other deserving candidates, it looks complicated for Jokic. However, if only three players in history have achieved this feat, it is not by chance. Can Nikola Jokic enter this VIP circle in a year by also achieving the hat-trick? After all, he did come back stronger last season after landing a first statuette, proof that the Joker is always hungry – much to Joel Embiid’s chagrin – even when he’s at the top. In the history of the NBA, only three players have chained three MVP titles in a row: Bill Russell (rest his soul), Wilt Chamberlain (rest his soul) and Larry Bird. Nikola Jokic, a third MVP title in a row? If they come back well to really play their role of luxury lieutenant and thus form a real Big Three with the Joker, the sky ize limits as they say. Two players with All-Star potential less, inevitably it hurts a lot and we wonder today what comeback will offer us these guys. As a reminder, Murray remains on a blank season after his knee ligament rupture at the end of the 2020-21 season, while MPJ was limited to only nine games last year due to a messed back. will be keen to come back with a bang after their injury struggles last season. Alongside MVP Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. What comeback for Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.?ĭifficult to miss this question as the answer should determine the fate of the Nuggets this season. Which player will perform? Which coach will be fired? Who am I ? In which shelf? Where squash? For each of the 30 franchises, we have selected the 5 big questions for 2022-23, and the seat of the day is awarded to the Denver Nuggets. It’s the same thing all the time, a few days before the recovery. Each NBA season brings its share of questions and intrigues.

Denver nuggets roster