The Denver Nuggets entered last season with sky-high expectations, carrying the momentum of a championship-winning performance from the previous year. As the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, their journey was expected to extend deep into the playoffs. However, they experienced an unexpected exit, eliminated in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, which left a bittersweet aftertaste among players, analysts, and fans.
Key player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was an instrumental figure for the Nuggets throughout the season, yet his words post-elimination painted a picture of a team that had perhaps overexerted itself in the regular season. "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," Caldwell-Pope remarked. He added, "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."
The Nuggets' playoff run was fraught with challenges, including a grueling series against the Lakers. Denver had previously swept Los Angeles in the Western Conference Finals during their championship run, but this time around, things were different. Despite strong performances from their star players, the series against the Lakers highlighted their struggles.
Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell had subpar performances in the playoffs, while LeBron James posted remarkable stats with 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Anthony Davis was equally formidable, averaging 27.8 points, 15.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. "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," observers noted.
Injuries also played a part in the Nuggets' playoff struggles. Key players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent were sidelined with season-ending injuries, impacting the team's overall performance and depth. Analysts and fans pointed to a lack of timely adjustments and poor execution during critical moments as factors that contributed to Denver's failure to advance further.
As the offseason began, significant changes followed for the Nuggets. Caldwell-Pope, a pivotal player for the team, signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic. His departure signals not only a new chapter for him personally but also a pivotal moment of reassessment for the Nuggets. They are now compelled to regroup and consider new strategies to return to their championship-contending form.
The upcoming season presents a crucial period for Denver as key players recover from injuries and potential new signings loom on the horizon. The pressure mounts for the organization to push past the disappointments of the previous season and rediscover the formula that brought them their championship success. A resilient and strategic approach could see the Nuggets once again rise to the top of the Western Conference.
Caldwell-Pope's insights underscore the grueling nature of maintaining consistent, high-level performance throughout an NBA season - a challenge that even the most well-equipped teams must navigate carefully. As they look to the future, the Denver Nuggets' journey will be one watched closely by the basketball world, eager to see if they can reclaim their dominant form.