This season has been a rollercoaster ride of sorts for the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets had NBA fans conflicted in early December.
On the one hand, Nikola Jokic was averaging stats that were better than any of his MVP seasons. On the other hand, it wasn't translating like it had in years past.
They were the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference at 11-10.
Since then, the Nuggets are 32-15 and currently sit as the No. 3 seed.
Bill Simmons remains torn on the Denver Nuggets
On his weekly Sunday episode with Ryen Russillo, the subject of the Nuggets came up-particularly the upcoming playoffs.
"Is Denver good?" Simmons asked Russillo. "Like, if they lost 4-1 in Round 1, would you be like 'I can't believe it?' There were no signs whatsoever. If they made the Western Finals would you be like 'I can't believe they made the Western Finals?'
"I don't know what to expect. I'm worried about Denver. I don't like that they can't get stops and I don't like how involved Westbrook is and that they don't have a bench at all."
Russillo then breaks things down a little further.
"When you saw them go up against OKC and you saw them go up against Minnesota, it was just back-to-back games where you're watching Christian Braun have to defend SGA and Ant," Russillo said. "I don't know if Aaron Gordon becomes the guy. There's a lot of perimeter size there with those two teams that would be a problem."
"I'm worried about Denver."@BillSimmons and @ryenarussillo discuss why the Nuggets could struggle to contend in the West this postseason. pic.twitter.com/qm503O0YoH
— The Ringer (@ringer) March 17, 2025
Seeding will play a crucial role in Denver's playoff run. The Nuggets are one of three teams tied at 43-25. The Rockets hold the tiebreaker and are the No. 2 seed. The Nuggets hold the tiebreaker over the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 3 seed.
With those three teams and the Lakers sitting just one game back in the standings, the seeding could look vastly different at the season's conclusion.
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 3:54 PM.