NBA: Which teams are contenders/pretenders at the All-Star Break?

Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant Draymond Green (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant Draymond Green (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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NBA
NBA Denver Nuggets Mike Malone (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets (39-18)

The Denver Nuggets have been a great story not only in the Western Conference, but in all the NBA this season. They have the second-best record in the West and have one of the NBA’s rising young stars in Nikola Jokic.

They also have a great young core around their prized big man. But the big question for this team is whether or not they have the experience to make waves in the playoffs. I see this team as I see the Bucks in the Eastern Conference, where I feel they’re a year away from really making a deep run in the playoffs.

The Nuggets have had a great run this season, and that could never be taken from them, but I still feel they’re nothing more than a pretender once they get on the floor with a team like the Warriors.

Verdict: Pretender