NBA Preview: 5 Teams That Could Surprise In The Western Conference

Apr 16, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks the ball during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have the talent. They just need second-year coach Brian Shaw to push all the right buttons.

Denver will also get a boost from the return of Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee, and the addition of Arron Afflalo. They’ll join the already talent roster of Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler, Nate Robinson and Gary Harris. This team has the opportunity to be this year’s Phoenix Suns.

The Nuggets’ season target should be a playoff berth, a 50-win season isn’t out of the reach of the talent on this team. Despite that, it still might not be enough to squeeze into the playoffs.

That’s just the nature of the beast that the Nuggets are facing in the Western Conference.