The Denver Nuggets have already won their first NBA title, so there isn’t much left for them to prove. Overall, there isn’t much to say about Denver as a team, or even simply Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as a combination and individually.

A well-balanced club with a good mix of defense and offense, youth and veterans, stars and role players, and everything in between. Mike Malone effectively navigated the ship in the proper manner and guided Denver to success.

Sure, there are many criteria that go into being a champion, but the starting five is a huge one. Starting lineups are determined by chemistry, although talent also plays a significant role. Denver’s starting lineup was meticulously crafted, and it worked.

The Nuggets only needed Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic to have the greatest starting lineup in the playoffs, and it showed.

According to NBA.com’s tracking statistics, it was just the 15th best starting unit of any lineup that played 100 or more minutes together during the regular season. The Nuggets had the 13th best lineup on the list. Denver’s net rating improved after replacing Jamal Murray with Bruce Brown.

Yes, that starting lineup will remain same this season barring any injuries, but is it the greatest in the NBA? Sure, Denver’s starting lineup has been tested and proven to be extremely successful, but many other teams have a lot of quality among their starters.

Looking across the league, the Boston Celtics appear to be extremely skilled. On offense and defense, a lineup of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis is lethal. White and Holiday were both named to the All-Defense team, while Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis have all appeared in an All-Star game.

The Milwaukee Bucks are another squad that has the potential to be really difficult. A talented roster includes Damian Lillard, either Malik Beasley or Patt Connaughton, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez. Giannis is a perennial MVP candidate, Lillard is one of the NBA’s most clutch players, and Lopez was runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. Not to mention, when healthy, Khris Middleton is an All-Star caliber player.

Both of those teams have lethal starting lineups and are among the title favorites this season. But what does Denver have in terms of starters?

Jamal Murray is an All-Star quality player who is one of the NBA’s most lethal in clutch situations. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a long-range sniper and one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the league. The same might be said about Michael Porter Jr., but he has a larger range of attacking ability. Aaron Gordon is a tall forward who can guard any position and is a strong finisher. With his court vision and post skills, Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA and impossible to contain and guard.

But does Denver have the greatest starting lineup? It’s difficult to say. We haven’t seen either Boston or Milwaukee use these linueps during the regular season, so we can’t be sure. However, given their potential, Boston should be considered to have the finest starting lineup in the NBA. The Denver Nuggets, on the other hand, might easily be placed second.

That is not to dismiss anything about the Denver Nuggets. They are still the favorites to win the Western Conference and should not be underestimated. A repeat would solidify this team’s place in NBA history, as well as the starters’.