JJ Redick claims the Denver Nuggets are in "championship form" again

Over the last several weeks, the Denver Nuggets have looked even better than usual and have strengthened their chances of returning to the NBA Finals. People have noticed, including NBA analyst and former player JJ Redick.

Speaking on ESPN, Redick said that the Nuggets appear "in championship form" and listed the reasons why. Firstly, he said the recent surge of Michael Porter Jr. has greatly improved the team's chances.

"Michael Porter Jr., the way he's played, the way he closed last night, that's what it's about to me," Redick said. He was referencing a recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves when Porter lit up the scoreboard with 26 points and 4 made three-pointers.

But Redick said another reason has improved the Nuggets recently: Nikola Jokic's immense basketball IQ.

"This notion that we can beat the Nuggets if we make Jokic a scorer," Redick continued. "He feels and he reads the game to perfection almost every time."

During that same game, the Timberwolves attempted to limit Jokic by forcing him to only score, instead of also assisting and getting rebounds like normal. And while he did only earn 2 assists, he still grabbed 16 boards along with his 35 points. In other words, he wasn't slowed down and the Nuggets still won.

There are other reasons why Denver is doing so well lately, including the expert work of Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and others. Taken together, all of these factors are working in tandem to give the Nuggets a very good chance of not only returning to the Finals but winning it all again.

They might be the top seed in the Western Conference right now but the Nuggets sure are playing as if they are.