Utah Jazz: The J-Notes’ west power rankings, Halloween edition

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 25: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz grabs the rebound against the Phoenix Suns on October 25, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 25: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz grabs the rebound against the Phoenix Suns on October 25, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Denver Nuggets Emmanuel Mudiay
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 29: Emmanuel Mudiay (C) of the Denver Nuggets in action against Sean Kilpatrick (L) of the Brooklyn Nets during NBA basketball match between Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Borough of New York City, United States on October 29, 2017.(Photo by Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

11) Denver Nuggets (3-3)

Last month: 9

As with all these rankings, we’re talking about snap judgments made very early in the season. Having said that, the Denver Nuggets have undoubtedly been one of the Association’s more disappointing squads.

What was arguably the league’s best offense at times last season has been below average. Strangely, it’s also been 5.8 points/100 poss. better when the Nuggets’ key offseason acquisition, Paul Millsap, has been on the bench.

On the plus side, Denver’s defense has been closer to league average after being terrible last season. Their opponents are shooting just 43.3 percent from the field, which ranks No. 6 league-wide.