Enjoy Basketball: The Sleeper 2023 NBA Champions

Welcome back to Enjoy Basketball!

Today we're going to talk about a team that is a flat out contender, but no one is paying attention. We're here to tell you why the Denver Nuggets are legitimate threats to not only make, but win the 2023 NBA Finals. While on the topic, we'd love to get your take on this:

It goes with out saying, we wouldn't be having this conversation without Nikola Jokic. The reigning back-to-back MVP elevates any team he's on to playoff caliber. Earlier in his career, there were doubts if he could become a prolific enough scorer to be the best player on a championship team. He never scored over 20 points per game for his first five seasons, but has since escalated his scoring proficiency to 26.7 PPG over the past two campaigns. Additionally, Jokic enhances the abilities of those around him perhaps better than any player in the NBA. The offense flows through him and he can dish it to any cutter at any time, making the whole team more dangerous. In the playoffs, he may be the least desirable player for coaches to gameplan against.

The improvement, however, comes with those returning from injury. Both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. missed almost the entirety of last season. Though neither has made an all star game yet, people forget that both were well on their way. The young duo each commanded $30+ million per year max contracts for a reason - they are young studs.

Jamal Murray has one of the smoothest dribble and finishing packages out there and can break down most defenders one-on-one. We would also argue that this playstyle is the perfect to pair alongside Jokic. Murray's score-first skillset compliments The Joker's facilitating ability. Remember his insane duel with Donovan Mitchell in the Bubble?

Michael Porter Jr. has been a question mark since he was 18 years old. Still, after two back surgeries he prevailed and averaged 19 points per game on a ridiculous 65 effective-FG% (for context Steph Curry had 56%). In April of 2021, his last full healthy month, he scored 24 points per game. Now, MPJ is coming off a third back surgery. Hopefully nothing changes. If it doesn't, and Porter continues on his trend, he could very well become an all star soon. What does this mean for the Nuggets? They have another legitimate scoring threat. Opposing defenses will have to burn a long, athletic wing defender to concentrate on Porter, opening things up for Jokic and Murray.

Want to hear a crazy stat? The Nuggets had the 6th rated offense last season. Their starting roster was Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Monte Morris, Will Barton, and Jeff Green. Now imagine sliding MPJ, Jamal Murray and new veteran shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope alongside Jokic and Gordon. Candidly, we think that's the NBA's most productive offensive lineup in the NBA next season.

While the Nuggets were 6th in offense, they were just 15th in defense. Neither Murray nor MPJ are plus defenders, but the additions of KCP and ex-Net Bruce Brown should help slow perimeter players before they're stopped by the likes of Aaron Gordon and an improved Jokic.

X-factors to watch out for are shifty sophomore guard Bones Hyland and efficient stretch four Zeke Nnaji, who could each make jumps to be even more solid role players. The one fear we have for the Nuggets is finding a suitable backup center for Jokic because right now they only have DeAndre Jordan. Possible fits could be Montrezl Harrell or Hassan Whiteside.

All in all, the Denver Nuggets are incredibly dangerous and should be a lock for a top 3 seed in the West if MPJ and Murray return to approximately normal play. Kenny agreed with the entirety of Enjoy Basketball on this in his recent YouTube video:

Jaylen Brown x Kevin Durant Trade Rumors?

So no one really knows what exactly is happening between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets... but we'll just throw this story out anyways because of its potential ramifications. According to Shams Charania, the Celtics offered a package centered around Jaylen Brown to the Nets in exchange for Kevin Durant. Some were surprised that the Celtics would treat Brown like this after he was arguably their best player in this past NBA Finals. Jaylen also doesn't seem pleased:

It stokes the flame of the old debate: why should players like Jaylen Brown be loyal and resign to their franchises if said teams would turn around and trade them at a moment's notice? Its a tough line to tow, for sure. Still, if the Celtics could give up Brown and some peripheral assets for Kevin Durant, I think its worth it. But, if you have to give up the farm then walk away. Regardless, look at this awesome tweet from Celtics fan and YouTuber AFunkyDiabetic. He makes a good point:

This is for Dub Nation - Gary Payton II (The Players' Tribune)

Russell Westbrook’s Moment of Truth - Dan Devine (The Ringer)

Resetting the conversation around Donovan Mitchell's superstar stature - Ethan Fuller (Basketball News)

Aspiring female Yao: 6-10 Han Xu making mark in WNBA, China - Doug Feinberg (Associated Press)

That'll wrap it up for us at Enjoy Basketball. Do you like this style of team-centric analysis during the uneventful dog days of summer? Give us feedback on our Twitter or by replying to this email! Peace out y'all!

- Conor Geelan

Trivia Answer: Who holds the record for most blocked shots in a single season?

Trivia Question: The only two 2022 playoff teams (not play-in teams) to not have a 2022 NBA All Star were the #8 seed New Orleans Pelicans and, shockingly, the #1 seed Miami Heat.