Denver Nuggets should not be overlooked in the Western Conference

The Denver Nuggets should not be overlooked in the Western Conference. 

The Denver Nuggets may have the reigning NBA MVP in Nikola Jokic but they happen to be one of the most overlooked teams in the Western Conference. Heading into the stretch run of the season, that would be a big mistake to make.

Currently, the Nuggets are 36-25 which is good enough for sixth in the Western Conference standings. However, there is reason to believe that this team has what it takes to make a deep run in the postseason.

The Nuggets are 18-7 in their last 25 games and are beginning to play better and better. Over that span, the Nuggets have the second-best offensive rating in the league and the 10th best defense. Perhaps most importantly, they have the third-best net rating.

This is a team that is beginning to hit its stride as a team and one that no contender wants to see in the postseason. Especially not in the first round. What’s even more interesting is that there’s a good chance that we haven’t even seen this team’s best punch this season.

According to a recent report, the early indications are that both Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray are slated to return for the postseason. There’s also a chance they could return sooner.

If that holds true, the Nuggets could be entering the playoffs playing their best basketball with Murray and MPJ rejoining the team.

Adding two talents such as Murray and MPJ to an MVP-level Jokic (he’s averaging 26 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists per game), it would be difficult not to consider the Nuggets as a true dark horse threat o make it out of the West. Or, at the very least, make an unlikely deep playoff run.

The Nuggets, for much of the season, have been an afterthought in the Western Conference, but this is a team that is beginning to round into shape. And, it appears, just at the right time.