Round 1 Preview Denver Nuggets vs San Antonio Spurs 

The Denver Nuggets take on the 2 time NSL Champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs this season.  Both of these teams are a mainstay in the playoffs, I believe they have both made the postseason every season in the NSL, except Denver missed the very first one.  This year we see them face off in the 3 v 6 match up, where Denver holds home court advantage. Earlier this season we had GM Nels singing the praises of Denver as a stealth contender, and now his Giannis led Spurs are tasked with taking them down to move to the second round.  The Nuggets have had their first full season under Donovan Mitchell as the superstar leader in the place of Steph Curry, and they had their best finish in the standings both by position and wins.  The San Antonio Spurs were a bit of a revolving door this season, as GM Nels was unhappy with his team performance and looked for ways to improve the roster constantly, which eventually led to a run up the standings and into a playoff spot.  

I expect this series will be relatively high scoring from both teams, but the Spurs definitely have the advantage of the defensive side of the match up.  

Tale Of The Tape: 

PG: Chris Paul vs Jamal Murray 

Here we have the Point God vs one of the best clutch performers and playoff risers of recent memory.  CP3 was brought in to Denver over the offseason and has been a key rotation piece for the Nuggets all year, on the other end we have Jamal Murray who was brought into the fold in a mid season trade that saw Zach Lavine out the door.  Jamal Murray is the better 2k player as of right now and he also has the 2k flavour of the year, being a shifty oversized scoring guard. 

Position Win: Jamal Murray 

SG: Donovan Mitchell vs Josh Hart 

The Nuggets are spearheaded by the athletic supercharged scoring guard Donovan Mitchell, who was one of the best players in the whole of the NSL this season.  In another mid season trade the Spurs brought in Josh Hart, when you ask GM Nels he will tell you that Hart is probably his favourite player on his team outside of Giannis and attributes a lot of the late season run to Josh Hart’s fit within the roster. 

Position Win: Donovan Mitchell 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ideastream.org%2Fsports%2F2022-12-21%2Fhow-donovan-mitchell-has-been-a-difference-maker-for-the-surging-cavs&psig=AOvVaw0uE3rNJUovULAFV_0JNmI3&ust=1746669398040000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCJja89mgkI0DFQAAAAAdAAAAABAT 

SF: Michael Porter Jr vs Kelly Oubre 

Keeping it short and sweet here, we have an MPJ who is an above average role player both in the NBA and NSL against an overachieving role player in Kelly Oubre.  

Position Win: Michael Porter Jr

PF: Domantas Sabonis vs Giannis Antetokounmpo 

Arguably the biggest and best matchup of the series comes at the Power Forward position.  Domantas Sabonis is a nightly double double threat and is one of the best rebounders in the league.  On the other side we have the best player in the entire league Giannis, the Greek Freak, he is the 2k god, the alpha, the omega and everything in between. 

Position Win: Giannis in a landslide 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffadeawayworld.net%2Fnba%2Fmilwaukee-bucks%2Fgiannis-antetokounmpo-nba-history-teams-created-walls-stop-him&psig=AOvVaw3dZH_I_lpRf89p5cEDfbpG&ust=1746669353306000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCOiWocagkI0DFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE 

C: Nick Richards vs Luke Kornet 

2 end of bench bigs in the NBA find themselves in the starting C position in a playoff matchup, only in the NSL!  Nick Richards, has been a huge glitch for the Nuggets since coming in last season, 15 rebounds in a game isn’t uncommon for the big man at C spot.  Kornet on the other hand is doing exactly what GM Nels wants, grabbing a few rebounds next to Giannis, blocks a couple of shots, stays out of the way and keeps his books relatively clear. 

Position Win: Nick Richards

Bench Units: 

Both teams sport a reasonably deep bench and go to about 9-10 usable players in 2k.  Having the likes of Klay Thompson, Donte DiVincenzo, Jerami Grant, Max Christie, Jock Landale etc.  is reliable enough on both sides to get the job done and keep the ship afloat while the starters get a breather.  I think I would likely lean the Spurs bench here, over the Nuggets. 

Position Win: San Antonio Spurs 

Prediction: 

This series should be a fun one with two dynamic offences, two of the top 10 offences in the league this past season.  I think Denver has a good amount of depth that will challenge the Spurs but ultimately think the star power of Giannis and the supporting cast will get the job done over the Nuggets in 5.  

All the best to both GMs! Hell of a season from you both.