The Perils for the Nuggets in Emulating the Warriors

The Denver Nuggets have been oft-compared to the Golden State Warriors prior to their 2015 NBA title.

There are similarities, to be sure but there are also dangers in emulating the rise of the Golden State squad.  The Warriors, having just completed their title run are in a different boat, perception-wise than they were in ’15.

They’ve gone from darlings to devils.  From the Little Tug That Could to Enough in just three years.  The perception of the Warriors as the overachieving darlings was short-lived.  Replaced by the prancing, flexing, trash-talking group that just completed a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Now, before I get too critical of the Warriors, they have won three of the last four NBA titles and two straight since Kevin Durant abandoned the Thunder and hooked his wagon to the title train.

As the Denver Nuggets accelerate toward Western Conference relevance, there are aspects of Golden State’s development that they should emulate.  Then there are aspects, perceived or real, that need to be avoided.

We’ll look at those here: