Ranking LA's biggest Western Conference roadblocks

Ranking LA’s biggest Western Conference roadblocks

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (L) drives past Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (R) during a Christmas Day National Basketball Association (NBA) match-up between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on December 25, 2019. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Jamal Murray (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /

2. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers were very much mirror images of one another this past season. Unwilling to cower in fear over the incoming competition, despite losing multiple stars, the Nuggets chugged along nicely during the regular season. Nikola Jokic, the now two-time MVP, carried his injury-hit ball club to the number six seed in the Western Conference. Along the way, Jokic averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists.

As their offseason continues, Denver will quietly return a host of great players next year. Michael Porter Jr., their breakout star from a year prior, struggled before being forced to miss 73 games due to back surgery. In addition to his presence, Nuggets fans are anxious to bring Jamal Murray back into the fold. Before crumpling in a heap during the 2021 NBA Playoffs due to a torn ACL, Murray was quietly emerging as Denver’s best player.

The former first-round draft pick averaged 26.5 points per game and played a major role in brazenly booting the Clippers from the postseason festivities in 2021. Although they aren’t talked about as much as they should, treating Denver flippantly could lead to the Clippers’ postseason demise once again next year.

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