When asked why his team has had so much harmony this season in contrast to the New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone answered that the lack of a trade request is the main reason why.

Anthony Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans a week before the February trade deadline. Since then, the superstar has been sitting out the majority of fourth quarters and doesn't play in back-to-backs. AD's trade request has created a really awkward dynamic in New Orleans whereas the environment within the Nuggets' organization has been positive all season.

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The Nuggets enter Saturday with the second-best record in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic is playing like an MVP, guards Jamal Murray and Gary Harris have taken the next step in their development, and Will Barton, Paul Millsap and Isaiah Thomas are solid veterans who know how to play their role on a contender.

The Pelicans actually started the season 4-0, but then injuries to Elfrid Payton, Davis and Nikola Mirotic hurt their momentum and they have been a below .500 team for awhile now. The players on New Orleans haven't said anything bad about Davis, but the team has played better since the trade request when AD doesn't play.

The team chemistry in Denver is a huge reason why Michael Malone and his Nuggets have a chance to go on a deep playoff run this season.