No. 12: Denver Nuggets
June 25, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw speaks during a press conference held at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
I’m tempted to put Minnesota ahead of Denver, but the Nuggets always seem to be, well, good. Could that change with Brian Shaw taking over? If it does, it won’t be because of him. Andre Iguodala was arguably the team’s only all-star, and he headed to California to play for the Warriors (who come up way later).
The team signed power forward J.J. Hickson, who is hardly a game changer, but will add good depth. The Nuggets is a young team with a ton of depth, though. If Kenneth Faried can turn a Kawhi Leonard (he actually had a better season, statistically) and JaValle McGee continues to do less JaValle McGee things, I don’t see why Denver can’t repeat a playoff appearance.
Contenders for a championship, though? Not. Yet.