The Denver Nuggets are back in action with a fully healthy roster, thanks to Peyton Watson's return, and they celebrated with a convincing 128-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. However, concerns linger, particularly from NBA analyst Bill Simmons, about the Nuggets' performance in clutch situations since Nikola Jokic's return from injury at the end of January.
During a recent episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Simmons and Zach Lowe dissected the Nuggets' struggles in tight games. Simmons humorously compared their clutch play to a "smelly car," hinting at the unpleasantness of a faltering clutch system.
Since February, the Nuggets have a 5-9 record in clutch games, with their 14 clutch matchups tying for the most in the league during that span. Overall, they're sitting at 18-19 in such scenarios this season.
Simmons also voiced some concerns about head coach David Adelman, who is nearing his one-year mark with the team. The Nuggets have participated in 18 one-possession games, losing 11, which leads the league. Simmons questioned how so many games could slip away in the final moments, suggesting that coaching might be a factor in these outcomes.
The conversation didn't stop there. Simmons critiqued the Nuggets' offensive strategy, describing it as overly reliant on Jokic.
He pointed out that the team's movement and playmaking could be more dynamic, rather than focusing heavily on Jokic and Jamal Murray. Notably, Jokic is attempting 4.7 three-pointers per game, matching his career high from last season.
Despite these concerns, both Simmons and Lowe expressed confidence in the Nuggets' ability to overcome the Lakers in the playoffs, even if the Lakers hold a higher seed. The consensus around the league still sees Denver as a top-four team in the Western Conference and a genuine championship contender. With Jokic at the helm, the Nuggets remain in a promising position, clutch issues notwithstanding.