Once more, the Denver Nuggets have proven their mettle. Their season opening win has earned them praise from the entire league. In a recent discussion, renowned basketball icons James Worthy and Robert Horry took the opportunity to break down the nuances of the game for the audience.
Delving into the Nuggets’ impressive win against the Los Angeles Lakers, three-time champion James Worthy highlighted a unique aspect of the franchise’s prowess. He even stated how that sets them apart from the rest of the teams.
James Worthy revealed the Denver Nuggets’ strength
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Led by Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets displayed a remarkable finesse with every shot they took. Their consistent performances across the board serve as a testament to their caliber as one of the top threats to win the championship this year. When discussing their repeat hopes, Worthy provided insights into specific attributes that set them apart from the rest of the league.
While discussing the importance of continuity, James Worthy credited the Nuggets franchise for keeping its young core together. He stated, “You’re talking about a Denver Nuggets’ team that has been together for a very long time…They were in their 20s?they have lost together; had some heartaches, recovered from that, then they regain enough to win a championship.”?
The hosts of the Spectrum Sportsnet talk-show pointed to this as a key difference between the Lakers and the Nuggets. Though Los Angeles did retain most of their roster from their Western Conference Finals run, players like D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura have still been with the franchise for less than a year.
Worthy pointed to this added chemistry as one of the distinguishing factors between Jokic’s Nuggets and LeBron’s Lakers. “There’s a reason why they are the defending champions. Tonight they played like it and the Lakers could not get their footing,”?added James Worthy.
.@JamesWorthy42, @Mike_Bresnahan and @geeter3 discuss their takeaways from tonight's loss in Denver. pic.twitter.com/U5OGzIK6EJ
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 25, 2023
Even though the Lakers’ star, LeBron James is at the cusp of 40, he displays a level of grace and skill that surpasses many younger players. However, it’s evident that the Nuggets, as a team, might have a bit more cohesion than some other title contenders.
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Teams like the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, while immensely talented, will need to work on chemistry as the season progresses.?
It’s the seamlessness of Denver’s roster that allowed Jokic to coolly drop 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, marking his 106th career triple-double in the season opener. James Worthy also commended the efforts of the Nuggets’ coach in his praise.
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Worthy praised Michael Malone’s discipline
James Worthy also commended the collaborative contributions of both Murray and Jokic. Backed by Jamal Murray‘s equally remarkable display, the Nuggets secured a 119-107 triumph against the Lakers.
When discussing Head Coach Michael Malone, the three-time NBA champion mentioned, “Coach Malone has them focused on a back to back. He is turning two seasons into one.”
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?The Nuggets are undeniably making a significant impact this season. Do you think they can repeat and “turn two seasons into one”?
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