Nobody Intelligent Is Doubting This Denver Nuggets Team As NBA Title Contenders In 2023
During my time here at Vendetta Sports Media, I have never been one to write back in response to an article that I thought was dumb. However, Trey wrote a piece yesterday about how the Denver Nuggets shouldn’t be taken seriously as an NBA finals team this year. As a massive Nuggets fan, I thought this was beyond dumb and felt it appropriate to go through his article and explain why nobody intelligent would ever doubt this team from being a serious title contender in 2023.
Let’s start with the beginning. In the first paragraph, Trey claims he would bet whatever on the Nuggets not making the NBA Finals. However, I proposed two different bets, neither of which the boss would accept.
My first bet was that the Denver Nuggets would make it further in the NBA Playoffs than his Boston Celtics. He did comment on this but never agreed to it. My second bet was taking the Nuggets against Memphis and his choice between Dallas and Phoenix, since he wanted me to do Denver versus the West. I heard nothing about my counter. Interesting.
His next paragraph is built around No. 1 seeds not making the NBA finals. This is odd seeing that as of writing this article, both the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics are the No. 1 seed in their respective conferences. Does this mean Trey thinks the Celtics aren’t an NBA finals team? For some reason, I doubt that.
Next, we come up to talk about Michael Porter Jr. His claim is that the Denver Nuggets need a third star to get there because he isn’t the guy. Let me give you something to think about. Let’s look back at the last five NBA Finals matchups and look at the stars.
- 2018: Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron and Kyrie. Two stars
- 2019: Toronto Raptors: Kawhi. One star. Great depth.
- 2020: Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler and Bam. Two stars. Nice depth.
- 2021: Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis and Khris Middleton.
- 2022: Boston Celtics: Tatum, maybe Brown. Two stars, maybe.
The argument that an NBA team needs three stars to make the NBA Finals is redundant. Not every team can be the Golden State Warriors with three stars AND good depth. Jamal Murray is finally getting back to his bubble form. Plus, it helps to have the best player in the world, the back-to-back league MVP Nikola Jokic. You don’t need the third star. There are your two stars, plus Denver has great depth.
Which seamlessly transitions to his next topic. I will gladly tell you what there is to like about this team. Aside from the two guys mentioned above, I will speak on the depth, starting with the guys he listed.
KCP was brought in to be a 3-and-D guy. He has been that in spades, averaging 11.3 points on 45% shooting from distance. Reggie Jackson was a top buyout player and landed in Denver. He will replace Bones Hyland on the bench and bring pivotal playoff experience. With the acquisition of Thomas Bryant, DeAndre Jordan likely won’t see the floor — immediate improvement. Ish Smith has played in 29 games; don’t get why he’s brought up.
Now, about the guys he chose to leave out. How about Bruce Brown? Averaging a career-high in points per game and is a defensive stopper on the wings. How about Aaron Gordon? Also having the best year of his career and playing exceptional defense. Failed to mention two of their brightest players? It’s ok, Trey. It’s obvious you don’t follow the Denver Nuggets or watch their games, but try a little harder when it comes to slamming on players.
Next up on the docket is the “bombing” of the trade deadline. I fail to see how getting rid of a sour apple in the locker room and adding valuable bench depth is bombing? Do I LOVE the return for Bones? No. But it was immediately okay after adding Jackson. Both guys I would argue will be more valuable to this team’s NBA Finals push than their predecessors.
Trey clowns on GM Calvin Booth’s appearance. Pass.
Nobody with a brain is doubting the Denver Nuggets’ chances of making the NBA Finals. Vegas sure isn’t, seeing that their odds to make the Finals sit at +750, fourth in the NBA. Is Vegas brainless? I don’t think so, because that would mean that Trey believes Boston having the best odds at +270 is also stupid. Somehow, I don’t think that’s the case.
The Golden State Warriors and the LA Lakers might not even make the playoffs, good try though. This Nuggets team just beat Dallas Wednesday night, dropping Luka/Kyrie duo to 0-3 so far together. Yeah, they’re going to go far. Memphis? Jackson Law said it himself he’s taking Denver in six or seveng games, which means it comes down to Phoenix. CP3 is a choke artist, don’t care about him. The Suns moved all their depth to land KD. Not too worried about being two guys with a team of 10 plus the best in the league.
Zero percent chance Trey knows what he’s talking about. Mark my words.
Can’t wait to either talk my talk when this comes true or the backlash that will come if Denver doesn’t make it. All good fun. Strap in.
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