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Ranking the LA Clippers’ toughest Western Conference opponents

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MAY 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during Game Seven of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers on May 12, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MAY 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during Game Seven of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers on May 12, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 4: Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets were supposed to be a title contender this past season, thanks in large part to the MVP-level play from center Nikola Jokic. His Nuggets barely escaped a first-round matchup with the San Antonio Spurs, though, before eventually falling to the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Semifinals.

That doesn’t mean much in regards to Denver’s chances in 2019-2020, especially now that Jamal Murray is locked up long-term and two-way shooting guard Gary Harris is still improving. The only thing that will really hurt Denver’s chances are the LA Clippers, and the few other teams that should finish above the Nuggets in the standings.

Still, Denver is a tough team, and one that’s still on the rise. Jokic is just 24, after all, while Harris and Murray each come in at 24 and 22, respectively. None of them are even close to reaching their prime, which should scare a lot of other Western Conference teams.

The Nuggets employ one of the league’s best coaches in Michael Malone as well, who just finished third in Coach of the Year voting at this year’s NBA Awards.

The Clippers don’t necessarily have an answer for Jokic, which should at least give them a sizable advantage in the paint. The Nuggets also have one of the best home-court advantages in the league, and it’s almost a guarantee for opposing teams to lose there while playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Denver may not go far in the playoffs again, but at least during the regular season, they could cause the Clippers some issues.

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