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Golden State Warriors: Ranking their greatest threats in the West

By James D. Tillman III

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 hi-fives Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on January 15, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 hi-fives Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on January 15, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

2. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have been one of the surprise teams in the league all season. With a recent 114-105 win against the Boston Celtics on Monday night, the ball club clinched its first playoff appearance in six years.

"“It’s a great feeling,” Denver coach Michael Malone said, via ESPN. “Four years in the making. Two years in a row coming up just shy, one game short. Using that as a motivation for tonight’s moment.”"

In the minds of some people, it may be premature to label a team as a threat to a defending champion considering they haven’t been to the postseason since 2013. However, the Nuggets do have a few things going for them.

For starters, Denver is ranked in the top 10 in both points allowed (sixth — 107.0 points per game) and defensive rating (10th — 108.9 points per 100 possessions). Their starting five is averaging 77.5 points per contest and they have seven players that are scoring in double figures.

Another area where this team excels is ball movement. In fact, they are ranked second in the league in assists (27.2 per contest), which is second only to — you guessed it! — the Warriors.

While the Dubs have a talented big man in DeMarcus Cousins, Nikola Jokic isn’t a slouch by any means either. In 68 games, he’s posted averages of 20.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and an astounding 7.5 assists per contest. It’s also worth noting that both his scoring and assists averages have increased each year he’s been in the league.

On the other side of the equation, this ball club doesn’t play well away from home. This is sentiment is supported by the fact that 16 of their 22 losses have come on the road.

Secondly, the lack of experience in a big moment could be Denver’s undoing as well. After all, the Warriors have represented the West in the Finals every year since 2015. Meanwhile, the Nuggets haven’t advanced past the first round since 2009, and in the last two games between these teams, the Warriors beat them by 31 and 17 points, respectively.

If the Nuggets have any hopes of beating the Warriors in the playoffs, they will have to nab the top seed, which won’t be easy even if only half a game separates these teams in the standings.

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