NBA: One x-factor for every team heading into the restart

Denver Nuggets

X-factor: Skinny Jokic 

On paper, there is plenty to like about the Denver Nuggets’ chances of making noise in the Western Conference playoffs. However, one interesting x-factor for the team is a name that we all know. Nikola Jokic. But this time, Skinny Nikola Jokic.

Since the hiatus began, it seems that Jokic has undergone a body transformation. It’s unclear how his body transformation will impact his play or his effectiveness (one way or another), but you wouldn’t expect it to hurt him by any means. Then again, you never know.

If there’s any non-Los Angeles team that could potentially win the Western Conference, it’s the Nuggets. And the rise of Nikola Jokic as a legit superstar could be the one difference-maker in the Nuggets simply being a nice team to potentially being a true contender to knock off the Clippers or Lakers in a seven-game series.