The Denver Nuggets, despite winning the 2023 NBA championship, still face a ton of disrespect on a regular basis. But the Nuggets' opening night showing against the Los Angeles Lakers should show that what they did last season was no mere fluke. In fact, even though other teams have made major additions in their quest to dethrone the reigning champion, the Nuggets still look like they're in a class of their own, thanks to the brilliance of Nikola Jokic.

Even Lakers legend Magic Johnson, in his signature nonchalant tone on social media, expressed his optimism over the Nuggets' chances of repeating as champions.

“Tonight we learned the World Champion Denver Nuggets are going to be very tough to beat in the NBA Playoffs,” Johnson wrote on his official Twitter (X) account.

What makes the Nuggets so scary is that it appears as if Nikola Jokic hasn't missed a beat; he dropped a casual triple-double against the Lakers, tallying 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists to lead the way for the Nuggets yet again. To put that performance in even greater perspective, Jokic did that against Anthony Davis, one of the best defensive presences in the NBA, once again; Davis is already one of the most versatile big man defenders in the NBA, how could others stand a chance against the Joker if AD can't measure up?

And it's not like Jokic is a one-man show for the Nuggets; their starting five remains the best in the NBA, a combination of two-way brilliance, exceptional chemistry brought forth by continuity, and a total buy-in to the team's unselfish brand of basketball. All of the Nuggets' starters scored in double figures against the Lakers, and even Michael Porter Jr., who is more of an offensive weapon, is making strides on the defensive end of the court.

The Nuggets may not garner much fanfare due to their geographical location (they're not a big-market team), but the disrespect towards them should stop. After all, real hoopers who know the ins and outs of basketball, like Lakers legend Magic Johnson, acknowledge the Nuggets' greatness, and it's high time the rest of NBA fans follow suit.