Ranking the three biggest threats to the Nuggets repeat title hopes

1) Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are finally playing like the basketball team we all theorize them to be in our minds. They’re currently 6th in the Western Conference with a 16-10 record, which isn’t that impressive, but they’re on an eight-game winning streak and are playing the best basketball we’ve seen from LA in years. 

Just as it seemed like it was time to accept that Kawhi Leonard wasn’t the same player anymore, he shut everyone up. In his last ten games, he’s averaged 29 points and six rebounds while shooting an incredibly efficient 63% from the field and 57% from three. 

James Harden, who initially struggled following the trade sending him to Los Angeles, has found his rhythm as well. In his last ten, he’s averaged 20 points and nine assists while shooting 51% from the field and 50% from three. Paul George is playing great basketball as well. 

And don’t forget about this team’s depth. Players like Russell Westbrook, Terrance Mann, Normal Powell, and Ivica Zubac have been integral to LA’s recent success. Westbrook and Powell have thrived in their roles off the bench, and Mann has stepped up well complementing the rest of the starting five, while Zubac has provided his usual rebounding and scoring punch. 

As far as a potential matchup against the Nuggets, the last time the two teams matched up in the postseason was in 2020, when both squads were very different, so it’s hard to judge. 

What is certain though, is that for years, Los Angeles has had the perfect roster to make a playoff run. Between their stars and supporting cast, it didn't seem like they had any weaknesses. A lot of their lack of success in the playoffs was simply due to bad luck.

Now that it seems like they're putting the pieces together and, at least at the moment, are fully healthy, they should be given the strongest chance out of anyone in the West to beat the reigning champs.