To say the Nuggets have had their share of ups and downs this season would be an incredible understatement. Injuries have derailed any plans of building consistency and rhythm or competing for one of the top spots in the Western Conference. They\u2019ve somehow become a bit of an afterthought in the Western Conference, behind the top-tier contenders.<\/p>\n
But Saturday\u2019s overtime win over the Spurs served as a loud reminder that when this team is right, they should be taken as seriously as any team in the NBA outside of Oklahoma City. Nikola Jokic outdueled Victor Wembanyama<\/a>, and the Nuggets scored a statement victory.<\/p>\n They aren\u2019t going to catch the Spurs in the standings. They may not even finish in the top four in the West. But this game should serve as a clear reminder that when the Nuggets are at full strength, they are as good as any team in the league, and that may even include the Thunder.<\/p>\n Almost impossible to see Nuggets fully healthy<\/p>\n The big problem for Denver is the same one it has been all season and well before: health. If I had a dollar for every time a pundit has talked about the Nuggets with the caveat of \u201cif they can stay healthy\u201d, I\u2019d certainly have quite a few more dollars.<\/p>\n It has almost become part of the team\u2019s name at this point, but it\u2019s just the reality of the situation. We saw how good Jokic and Jamal Murray can look on offense. We saw Aaron Gordon flying around and defending Wemby as well as anyone on earth<\/a>. We\u2019ve seen Peyton Watson look like a first option, Tim Hardaway Jr. look like an elite 6th man, Cam Johnson be an ideal role player, and Christian Braun look like a perfect glue-guy. We just haven\u2019t seen it all happen at once.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s what will ultimately make all the difference. When whole, the Nuggets have the best offense in the league, and maybe one of the best ever assembled. The defense isn\u2019t elite, but with AG, Watson, Braun, Bruce Brown, and Spencer Jones all in the mix, it should be good enough.<\/p>\n Healthy Nuggets can beat Spurs<\/p>\n The pieces are all there to complete this puzzle, but one is constantly getting lost under the rug. As we creep towards the playoffs, maybe these pieces are all coming together. We got a good glimpse on Saturday, and that was without Watson or Jones even available.<\/p>\n Yet watching them compete with the elite teams, it\u2019s clear that the Nuggets belong. Once the playoffs start, the competition will be stiff, and I expect them to rise to the occasion and give their best effort every night.<\/p>\n