Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic is a far, far better player than anyone else on this list. He is a star, and stars aren’t usually X-Factors, but he has never been in the playoffs before, and his defensive struggles may also hold his team back.
The Western Conference teams are stacked with quick guards who excel in pick-and-rolls. Even the Spurs, not necessarily models of athleticism, are flush with great pick and role players (Spurs ball handlers scorers at 5th best FG% in the league, behind only the 76ers, Warriors, Blazers and Bucks).
They also move the ball well enough to force tough switches and close-outs. How effectively Jokic can switch, or how often he is exploited, will determine the Denver Nuggets‘ ceiling.