ESPN Analyst Awaits Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets’ “Sneaky” Ascension Despite Lacking Behind Wolves

Published 02/29/2024, 7:30 AM EST

The Denver Nuggets haven’t earned as much attention as defending champions usually get. Despite only occupying the third spot in the Western Conference currently behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Nuggets continue to go strong. For many fans and analysts, the Nuggets are most likely to win this season. One such person is former NBA forward Richard Jefferson.

The ESPN analyst, in a ‘slam rapid fire round,’ placed his bets on Nikola Jokic‘s team. On being asked, who is gonna win the 2024 NBA Finals, Jefferson stated, “I’m gonna say Denver. I think Denver is gonna do a sneaky repeat.”

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Although Jefferson’s claim may not be aligning with the current standings in the Western Conference, the Nuggets might just have what it takes to turn the tables. The team was not even among the favorites for the 2022-23 NBA championship and yet emerged victorious. While Jokic is the clear poster boy of the franchise, he does not lack the team support on any front. This can turn out to be one of the key factors behind them repeating last season’s story as the Nuggets still have their core intact.

However, without any doubt, the main winning factor for the Nuggets is going to be their star player. The 2x MVP recorded his name in the history books this season itself. He became only the third player to record a triple-double against every single team he has played. However, no matter how favorable things may seem for the Nuggets as of now, they are not perfect.

Where could the Nuggets fall short?

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There are certain factors they will have to look out for. One of them is the lack of depth in their roster. It is considered that they have a short playoff rotation. With the likes of Bruce Brown having left the team, it will be interesting to see how the rotation pans out in the postseason. However, this was an issue that they faced last season as well but overcame it.

Another concerning factor for them can be a possible tough competition from the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have the best record in the NBA and will most likely seal home-court advantage throughout the Playoffs. That is important since they have the highest home winning percentage in the league this season since 2016. Moreover, according to the 2023-24 NBA GM Survey, the Nuggets tied with the Celtics in winning probability this season, with each team getting a 33% chance.

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Who do you think is going to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship? Let us know your opinion in the comments.

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Written by:

Khelendra is an NBA writer at Essentially Sports, where he brings insightful analysis and engaging content to basketball enthusiasts worldwide. With a passion for the game cultivated from his own experiences as a basketball player, he has represented his school team in numerous tournaments, honing both skills and an intimate understanding of the sport. Khelendra holds a PG Diploma in Digital Media from a reputed university, providing him with a solid foundation in multimedia storytelling and digital content creation.

Edited by:

Pragya Vashisth

ESPN Analyst Awaits Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets’ “Sneaky” Ascension Despite Lacking Behind Wolves

Where could the Nuggets fall short?

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