1) Denver Nuggets
Record: 13-7 (1st Northwest, 4th Western Conference)
Sure, Nikola Jokic is an otherworldly offensive talent, but right now it’s the collective that’s pushed the team to the top of the Northwest Division. They’ve seemingly replaced the Jazz as the ultimate example of a whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
Counting Will Barton, who has only played in two games, Denver has six players averaging double figures. He, Jokic, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris are all hovering around the 16-17 PPG mark, while Paul Millsap isn’t far behind at 13. They’re sharing the ball to great effect and, as a result, are second league-wide in assists/100 poss. at 26.6.
They’re also dominating the boards, capturing an NBA-best 53.3 percent of available rebounds.
When Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter, Jr. join the fold, the Nuggets could rise to the Association’s upper crust if they can incorporate themselves into the attack. Given their reps, that could be a big if, but the potential for greatness is definitely there.