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3 teams that can challenge the Nuggets for the NBA championship next season

By Nicholas Chiarito

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Milwaukee Bucks
Mar 13, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) puts his arm around small forward Khris Middleton (22) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Here are 3 teams that can contend with the Nuggets: 1. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in the NBA this season. They entered the 2023 playoffs with the best record in the NBA but lost in the first round to the No. 8 seed Miami Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo was injured for the first three games but nonetheless, they were embarrassed.

As the Bucks enter the 2024 season, they fired their head coach Mike Budenholzer and replaced him with Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. They also have some decisions to make in regard to an aging Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, both of whom should be hitting free agency.

Expect Giannis and the Bucks to come back next season completely revamped and revitalized. The Bucks should have a full season with a healthy Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo. They will once again be one of the top defensive teams in the league.

Shockingly enough, the Bucks last season was 12th in offensive rating. One of the reasons is because of the Khris Middleton injury but also because of coach Bud allowing the Bucks to play in a fairly stagnant offense. Hopefully, having former NBA player Adrian Griffin as the new head coach will benefit the Bucks. As long as he can make adjustments he would be doing a better job than coach Bud.

The Bucks have the size, length and versatility to bother the Nuggets with their defense as they also have the physicality to bother them on offense. The Bucks are the biggest threat to the Nuggets’ championship hopes next season.

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