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NBA power rankings: Denver Nuggets start the preseason at No. 9, according to ESPN

The Nuggets have proven they can play with anybody and ESPN considers them a top 10 team heading into the new season.

By rprestonclark
Harry How - Getty Images

ESPN's NBA Training Camp Power Rankings came out on Friday and the Denver Nuggets made the top 10 following a summer where they added All-Star swingman Andre Iguodala to the fold.

The Nuggets were ranked No. 9 in Marc Stein's rankings, sitting behind four other Western Conference teams in the Los Angeles Lakers (No. 2), Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 3), San Antonio Spurs (No. 4) and Los Angeles Clippers (No. 5), making the Nuggets the best of the rest in the west.

Stein is wary of the Nuggets regretting being part of the reason the Lakers turn into a juggernaut but their first focus will be Iggy and JaVale McGee having big seasons alongside the development of the rest of the roster.

The Nuggets will have to fight off the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and any of the up-and-coming teams in the west like the Minnesota Timberwolves for the other four playoff spots in the west.