The Denver Nuggets wrapped up last season under a cloud of disappointment after being eliminated sooner than they had anticipated. Despite entering the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the season did not end as many had hoped.
An Unexpected End
The Nuggets' journey ended in the second round, courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves, a series that left fans and analysts alike questioning what had gone wrong. Fresh off a championship-winning performance the previous year, expectations were extremely high. However, the struggle was apparent as the team faced numerous challenges, including a tough series against the Lakers. Denver had previously swept Los Angeles in the Western Conference Finals during their championship run, making the recent struggle all the more perplexing.
Player Performances Under the Microscope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a standout player for the Nuggets last season, however, his tenure with the team came to an end when he signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic in the offseason. Caldwell-Pope’s departure marks a significant pivot for both him and the Nuggets. Reflecting on the season, Caldwell-Pope noted, "You know how, towards the playoffs, guys get their rest, but I feel like that's where we spent most of our energy at times, trying to get that first place [spot in the West]. Playing catch-up. And then, we get to the playoffs, we have no gas. We felt like the Lakers should've beat us. We was down every game—at least 10 to, like, 20-something…Taking that energy and using it there. It was a lot that went into that season, no doubt."
Key performances by other players also came under close scrutiny. Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell had underwhelming playoff performances, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis put up impressive individual numbers but couldn’t carry their team past the Nuggets. James averaged 27.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs, achieving career-highs with 8.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Davis matched his scoring average with 27.8 points per game and dominated the boards with an average of 15.6 rebounds, adding 4.0 assists and 1.6 blocks per game to his tally.
Injuries and Tactical Missteps
Injuries played a significant role in the Nuggets’ playoff woes. They lost key players, such as Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, to season-ending injuries. With their roster significantly depleted, the team’s depth and resilience were tested to the limits. Analysts and fans pointed to a lack of timely adjustments and execution as critical factors in Denver's failure to advance. "The nails in the Lakers' coffin were Darvin Ham's lack of adjustments and late-game execution -- which resulted in those blown leads -- as well as poor performances from anyone not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis," one attributed statement emphasized, shedding light on the coaching and strategic missteps that haunted the team.
Looking at a New Horizon
As the Nuggets move forward, the need to reassess their strategies and regroup is evident. The loss of Caldwell-Pope and the ongoing recovery of key players from injuries presents both challenges and opportunities for the franchise. Potential new signings could help to restore the team to its championship-contending form. The goal now is to build on past successes while addressing the vulnerabilities that last season exposed.
Nuggets fans remain hopeful that a refocused and rejuvenated team will return to glory in the upcoming season. Embracing both the lessons learned and the changes made, Denver looks to once again become a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.