Raise your hand if you had the Nuggets winning the Northwest Division title and a top-three seed in the loaded Western Conference.
If you’re one of the people with your hand up in the air, you should probably pack your belongings and move to Las Vegas. If you aren’t, well, you have something in common with the people who do this sort of thing for a living.
In mid-August, the sports book Westgate had the Nuggets with an . Those smart enough to hit the over would have been paid off by the third week of March.
Of course, there’s a very good chance few people outside of Denver actually did.
In scouring the preseason predictions from outlets across the digital world, a singular consensus comes forward: Everyone thought the Nuggets would be good in 2018-19 — somewhere between 45 and 50 wins — but nobody saw them rising to the ranks of the league’s elite.
Here’s a look at how everyone whiffed (just barely) on the Nuggets’ rise to prominence:
— 50-32, fifth in West, third in Northwest
“The Nuggets have been hinting at a breakout the last few years. With Nikola Jokic performing (and being paid) like a star and Paul Millsap enjoying a clean bill of health, 2018-19 looks like the season that gets this group over the playoff hump.”
— BPI projected wins: 47.1, fifth in West, third in Northwest; Best case: 55-27, World case: 39-43
“The Nuggets appear to be on the cusp of something, and so much of that is because of the blooming young talent. But high-octane offense only goes so far, and if the Nuggets want to take the next step and get into 55-win territory, it’ll be because of what they do on the defensive end.”
— 47-35, fifth in West, third in Northwest
“After Denver came up one win short of the playoffs last season, we’re projecting the Nuggets to end a postseason drought that stands at five years. Denver deserves to be mentioned among teams that have the most promising young cores.”
— No record listed, fifth in West, third in Northwest, eliminated in first round by Thunder
“Denver was strong when healthy last year, and youngsters Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris are impressive offensive talents.”
— No record listed, fifth in Western Conference, third in Northwest, eliminated in first round by Jazz
“Denver’s path to ending a five-year playoff drought which includes missing the eighth spot by one game last season — is just the right amount of obvious: Improve the defense. Not that it will be easy with Nikola Jokic, who’s not exactly agile, but as the engine of the offense, is too talented to take off the floor.”
— , The Denver Post
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Whatap on tap?
Sunday: At Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m., ALT
Tuesday: At Utah Jazz, 7 p.m., ALT
Wednesday: Minnesota Timberwolves, 8:30 p.m., ALT/ESPN
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Must-Read
Kiszla: With Nuggets basketball operations chief Tim Connelly linked to Washington vacancy, Josh Kroenke responds: “He’s under contract.”
Will Connelly, rumored as the front-runner to fill the vacancy of basketball operations chief for the Washington Wizards, stick around Denver to complete the job for the Nuggets? Read more…
Fat Lever: Nuggets have to learn NBA Playoffs lessons the hard way
The question for this young and inexperienced Nuggets roster: How fast can they learn on the fly once elimination — desperation — is on the line? Read more…
How Torrey Craig gives the Nuggets a defensive edge in the NBA playoffs
Torrey Craig’s NBA calling card is taking joy in the frustration of his opponents. Go ahead and put on the tape. You’ll find Craig swarming to the basketball, Kyle Fredrickson writes.
Quick Hits
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Is Nikola Jokic’s reputation with the refs a problem for Denver?
+ 🔊 Nuggets Ink podcast: Should Nikola Jokic make first-team All-NBA?
+ Nuggets president Tim Connelly refuses to squash speculation he’s leading candidate for Wizards vacancy.
+ On the same night, the Nuggets clinched their first Northwest Division crown in nine years.
+ Singer: Nuggets shouldn’t fear Russell Westbrook, Thunder in playoffs
+ Denver Nuggets star Paul Millsap: “I could see myself being here for the rest of my career”
+ The toughest foe for Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in NBA playoffs? Hint: It won’t be Kevin Durant or James Harden.
+ Kiszla vs. Singer: How far must Nuggets go in the NBA playoffs for a successful season?
+ Kiszla vs. Singer: Would the Nuggets rather face the Thunder or the Jazz in the playoffs?
+ “How hungry are we going to be?” Nuggets facing question marks with playoffs looming
By The Numbers
11-1
The Nuggets’ record this season in the second game of a back-to-back — a mark that has them close to topping a .920 winning percentage on zero days’ rest with one such game left on the schedule.
Parting Shot
Move over, Charles Barkley and Shaq: Gregg Popovich and Michael Malone are the NBA’s hottest new comedy duo
Gregg Popovich spent just 63 seconds coaching against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center. And 34 seconds turning Mike Malone’s postgame news conference into an Abbott & Costello routine. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at mschubert@denverpost.com or tweet me .
