The Nuggets are ready to defend their title
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić during the first half of a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena against the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
For the first time in franchise history, the Denver Nuggets enter the season as defending champions.
Details: While it might be uncharted territory, the team proved this is where they belong as Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray casually established records to secure the franchise's first title.
Driving the news: The Nuggets will open the season Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, the team Denver swept in the Western Conference Finals.
- Tip off is 5:30pm on TNT.
Be smart: If you're attending the game, get there early for the title celebrations.
- The team suggests being at your seat by 4:45pm to witness the NBA title banner rise to the rafters at Ball Arena.
State of play: For the team to repeat as champions, Jokić and Murray will need to stay healthy, and role players will need to be able to match and complement the star duo's game.
- The Nuggets have the third-best odds (+420) to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship, behind the Milwaukee Bucks (+400) and the Boston Celtics (+389), which each made major additions to their rosters this offseason.
What they're saying: "Our guys are tired. It's going to be hard to repeat," Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth recently told The Ringer.
- "But if everything is optimized, we should win three or four [titles]."
Between the lines: Jokić spent the offseason turning into a meme about how basketball is basically his side hustle, but make no mistake: He's arguably the league's best, and the Nuggets' most important, player.
By the numbers: ESPN ranked the lumbering Serbian No. 2 in the league, behind Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo — which prompted a swift reaction from the Nuggets' social media team.
- The rankings were based on feedback from more than 200 basketball insiders.
Yes, but: Jokić topped Antetokounmpo in a poll of 15 NBA scouts, coaches and executives.
- "Who else could win?" a Western Conference scout told ESPN.
What we're watching: Other key players for the team include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, perhaps the team's most entertaining player.
- The Nuggets welcomed three rookies: guard Julian Strawther, guard Jalen Pickett and forward Hunter Tyson.
The bottom line: We've had a long summer to enjoy this team's success, but it's time to buckle down and play some defense to secure a second-consecutive ring.
Go deeper: The Denver Nuggets games you can't miss this season