The Nuggets enter the 2020-21 season with high hopes and high expectations.
Fresh off of a run to the Western Conference Finals, Denver is looking to improve on its performance last season and possibly bring home its first NBA Finals trophy (Here are five keys that can get them there).
The Nuggets are the sixth-favorite team to win it all at +1,800 — meaning a $100 bet would win $1,800 — according to oddsmaker BetMGM.
Here’s a look at how various national experts rated the Nuggets in their power rankings entering the start of the season:
Bleacher Report (No. 4)
“The Denver Nuggets in the bubble grew out of the “they are a fun team” to “they are a dangerous team.” Jamal Murray took a massive leap as a playmaker, which gives them another option to run offense through besides Nikola Jokic. As long as Jokic and Murray are healthy, they will be a top team in the West. They have a lot of returning pieces, so the system continuity is set. This season, all eyes will be on Michael Porter Jr. … If Porter can continue his growth from the bubble, the Nuggets can take another step forward as a contender,” Mo Dakhil writes. .
CBS Sports (No. 6)
“Losing Jerami Grant hurts the Nuggets, but that clears the way for more playing time for Michael Porter Jr. It remains to be seen whether he can fit into the stating unit next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray or if he’s best served as a super sixth man, but he’s ready for a breakout season as Denver tries to build on is momentum from the bubble. A healthy Gary Harris and Will Barton to start the 2020-21 season are a sight for sore eyes for Nuggets fans,” Colin Ward-Henninger writes. .
ESPN (No. 8)
“The Nuggets arrived ahead of schedule in the Western Conference finals after stunning the Clippers. But now the young Nuggets are playing with championship expectations and they won’t be able to hide in an even more competitive West. They can’t take a step back and suffer a letdown as the spotlight shines brighter on Murray, who raised his game in the playoffs and will have to play consistently like a star this season. Jokic will also have to continue to improve his versatile All-NBA game,” Oh Youngmisuk writes. .
NBA.com (No. 3)
“If there’s any team that can still have a real home-court advantage with no fans, itap the one that plays at the highest altitude. The Nuggets will play six of their first eight games at the newly renamed Ball Arena,” John Schuhmann writes. .
Sports Illustrated (No. 6)
“Is there any real separation between Denver and the other non–Los Angeles teams in the Western Conference? The Nuggets needed to overcome a pair of 3–1 deficits to reach the conference finals, and they did suffer significant losses in the offseason. Utah, Portland and Dallas could all challenge Denver for the third spot in the West. The Nuggets still deserve the nod above the aforementioned trio. Jamal Murray could challenge for All-NBA status in a crowded field of guards, and the league’s best (and most delightful) center resides at Ball Arena. With a talented duo in tow, Michael Porter Jr. could swing Denver’s season,” Michael Shapiro writes. .
