The title odds remain stacked against smaller-market teams like the Denver Nuggets. Denver’s not truly a basketball town, it doesn’t have a beach or an indulgent owner or a mega-city’s party vibe. Much like any other heist, stealing a spot in the Finals for even a mid-market club - and sustaining that kind of success - requires a great plan. It also takes some luck.
The Nuggets have been very lucky so far. Some of that luck is in the choices they’ve made, and some is in moves that didn’t happen, but that’s how it works for even the legendary teams.