Ryan Blackburn here, the host of the daily Locked On Nuggets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nuggets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nuggets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Checking on the Biggest Threats to the Nuggets in the Western Conference
Oct 24, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
As the Denver Nuggets continue to stabilize their season, they’ve done enough to look around at the Western Conference and see where they stack up.
Here are the current West Standings heading into Thursday:
Oklahoma City Thunder (36-7)
Houston Rockets (29-14)
Memphis Grizzlies (29-15)
Denver Nuggets (27-16)
Los Angeles Lakers (23-18)
Los Angeles Clippers (24-19)
Sacramento Kings (23-20)
Minnesota Timberwolves (23-21)
Dallas Mavericks (23-21)
Phoenix Suns (22-21)
Golden State Warriors (21-22)
San Antonio Spurs (19-22)
The San Antonio Spurs have started to drop off a bit, but there’s a gulf between them and the Portland Trail Blazers behind them. That leaves what seems like 12 teams competing for 10 playoff and play-in spots in the West playoff picture.
Here’s how I would rank them in terms of their threat level to win the Western Conference at this current moment:
Tier 1 - Top Contender
Oklahoma City
It’s clear to me that Oklahoma City is the top dog based on the numbers. The Thunder have a superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, versatile defenders around him, and a mix of rotation players for head coach Mark Daigneault to choose from. They’re still relatively untested in the playoffs which means they’re not unbeatable, but it would be a surprise if someone was a favorite over them come playoff time.
Tier 2 - Challengers
Denver, Houston, Memphis, Dallas
Here’s where the Nuggets now reside: at the top of Tier 2. OKC’s done enough to separate from them, but the Nuggets are figuring things out quickly and have the best player in the world. If there’s any foil to the Thunder defense in the Western Conference, it might be Nikola Jokic. If the Nuggets get enough defense and shooting around him, they could upset OKC.
Of course, Dallas has already defeated the Thunder. That was a weaker version, and the Mavericks have some serious injury issues to overcome to try and avoid the Play-In Tournament, but they still deserve to be here after last year’s playoff run. They need Dereck Lively II healthy to seriously compete.
After them, Houston and Memphis have been regular season winners this year. Houston is untested but has an elite defensive group. Memphis hasn’t won a playoff series since the 2022 playoffs, but they’re hungry.
Tier 3 - Maybe they surprise us
Lakers, Clippers, Minnesota, Phoenix, Sacramento
The fall-off in Minnesota remains shocking. Karl-Anthony Towns being traded for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo was surprising enough. Now, Randle has struggled to fit in, and DiVincenzo is hurt. This just might not be the season for Minnesota.
The Lakers and Clippers appear solid but unspectacular. Without a surprising talent upgrade they’re likely first round exits and nothing more. Ditto for the Kings, though they’re much more feisty lately.
Phoenix, if they can turn Bradley Beal into Jimmy Butler somehow, might jump into Tier 2. They already traded for center Nick Richards for marginal improvement. If they add Butler, they’re more competitive but still not a serious threat to Oklahoma City.
Nov 27, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the first half against the Miami Heat at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Listen, it might not happen. LaMelo Ball currently leads the Eastern backcourt by a billion fan votes, giving him a substantial leg up in the race to be an All-Star starter. But that’s only half the accounting. He’ll have to do better than last year’s seventh-place voting among both media and players to snag himself a spot as a starter, or else his selection falls to the mercy of coaches who have historically valued winning.
But Ball undoubtedly is better than he was last year, or the year before, or even the year before that, when he did make the All-Star game as a reserve in just his second season. Health is a major reason; Ball played just 58 games in those two non-All-Star seasons, and he’s played half that many this year alone.
Is better enough? The progression isn’t linear; Ball has skipped into a whole new chart entirely, leaving behind the constraints of a two-dimensional line graph for a multi-dimensional view. That can confuse people, and confusion breeds distrust. He inspires a special dislike in people who consider themselves real basketball fans. They take the game Seriously and expect Ball to do the same.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Must Read Mike Shearer of Basketball Poetry takes a look at who actually deserves to be in the 24-man All-Star game based on their season to this point.
Honor Lakers legend Magic Johnson made a strong statement about Nikola Jokic, calling him “the best center in the game today.” Johnson highlighted Jokic’s unique skill set and basketball IQ. Nikola Jokic continues to impress the NBA community. (Sports Illustrated)
Milestone Nikola Jokic made NBA history in the Nuggets vs. 76ers game, becoming the first player to record a triple-double with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in under 30 minutes. Jokic’s performance sets a new benchmark for efficiency. (Sports Illustrated)
Fans Rapper 50 Cent has shown his support for Nikola Jokic, stating he would back up Jokic if he performed the rap song “Many Men.” This surprising endorsement adds a fun twist to the Nuggets’ fan culture. 50 Cent’s support brings excitement among fans. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis The midseason report card grades for every NBA team are out, and the Denver Nuggets have received their evaluations. The analysis delves into the team’s strengths and areas for improvement as they aim for playoff contention. Check the grades and see where the Nuggets stand. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Kings battle the Nuggets in Denver at 9:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball Thursday Preview: Injury Updates, Streaming Options, and Key Matchups
Jan 19, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after greeting court-side friends following the victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The NBA slate for Thursday features nine games, including an early start in Paris between the Spurs and Pacers. As we look ahead to the action, there are several key injury updates and streaming options to consider.
In the Spurs-Pacers matchup, Jeremy Sochan is the only player currently on the injury report, with indications he may return. For the Pacers, Aaron Nesmith’s recent return impacts the minutes distribution for players like Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell. Keep an eye on Stephon Castle as a potential streaming option for the Spurs.
The Blazers-Magic game has a lengthy injury list. For Portland, Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons are questionable, while Matisse Thybulle is out. On the Magic side, Jalen Suggs is out, Goga Bitadze is doubtful, and Franz Wagner is questionable to return. This game presents numerous streaming opportunities, with Robert Williams and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as intriguing options.
Jimmy Butler Suspended
In an unsurprising turn of events, Jimmy Butler has been suspended for two games for missing a team flight. This situation continues to be frustrating for the Miami Heat and fantasy managers alike. With Butler out, look for increased opportunities for players like Caleb Martin and Nikola Jović.
Injury Updates and Streaming Options
As we approach Thursday’s games, it’s crucial to stay updated on injury reports and be prepared for early lineup locks, especially with the Paris game starting at 2 PM Eastern.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Thursday’s NBA action, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
3peat (ICYMI)
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