Nuggets still have shot to make noise in playoffs, West scout says

The Denver Nuggets are still viewed as a viable NBA playoff threat, it seems, despite the abrupt and stunning dismissals of coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.

With two games left, the Nuggets (48-32) sit in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.

They share the same record with the Los Angeles Clippers are one game ahead of the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. Memphis and Minnesota would currently have to take part in the play-in tournament.

So, yeah, this is a big weekend in Denver under interim coach David Adelman. Nevertheless, the Nuggets remain a threat in the West, according to others around the league.

Firing the coach, though, may not help.

“At some point you need a new voice, but the front office didn’t do a good job of building out the roster the past couple years outside the top guys,” a West scout told ESPN. “I don’t like how they drafted.

“Is it surprising? No. But it’s shocking from a timing standpoint.”

There’s also the defense and depth. Both have been questionable for at least a couple months. Since the All-Star break, the Nuggets have fallen to 22nd in NBA defensive rating, a stark contrast from their top-10 status earlier in the season.

That said, they still have Nikola Jokic, as well as the likes of Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, all members of the 2023 championship team. That seemingly gives them hope entering the postseason.

“They have [Jokic],” the scout said. “That automatically gives you a chance.”

In related news, a source told Hoops Wire that other players grew tired of Malone giving “preferential treatment” to Jokic and Murray. You can read that full story here.