While the OKC Thunder were perennial playoff seeds the Denver Nuggets spent five straight campaigns heading to the lottery including back to back seasons when they were knocked out in the final game. This past year the Nuggets vowed to change their fate and not only secured a seed well before game 82, they landed the second overall seed in the Western Conference.
Arguably no team in the association made a bigger ascent last season than Denver. What made the team’s massive improvement all the more impressive was the duo who led them. Nikola Jokic was viewed as one of the league’s best big men with a highly unique skill set but his on court leadership was a significant reason behind the Nuggets’ success.