Denver Gazette beat writer Vinny Benedetto takes you around the NBA and inside the Nuggets locker room:

NBA Insider

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Thunder are the new kids on the NBA block.

Oklahoma City’s running away from the rest of the Western Conference with a bunch of 20-somethings leading the pack.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, is the NBA’s leading scorer at 32.9 points per game to go with averages of 6.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Jalen Williams just made his first All-Star Game appearance at 23, while 22-year-old Chet Holmgren has completed the Thunder’s big three. The Thunder are also getting valuable contributions from Isaiah Hartenstein (26), Isaiah Joe (25), Luguentz Dort (25) and Cason Wallace (21).

“We all understand that we’re trying to figure out our way through the NBA together,” Williams said after the Thunder beat the Nuggets 127-103 Sunday. “I think everybody wants each other to succeed, so we kind of understand that we’re all trying to get to around the same thing. We’re young in our career, so I think that helps.”

The young core won its first playoff series together last season before falling to the Mavericks in a six-game series in the second round. Then, they went out and added Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, the club’s 31-year-old elder statesmen, in the offseason.

Oklahoma City’s front office will have some tough decisions in future years when it comes time to pay the young stars, but the youth movement is more than working for now.

“We do a good job of verbalizing what we’re trying to get accomplished and what the problem is. I think our huddles are extremely close,” Williams said.

“The biggest thing for me is everybody wants each other to succeed, and we kind of all know what we’re going to bring to the table. So, I think we do a good job of executing that and just kind of talking through the ups and downs of the season. “

What I’m thinking

NBA Twitter, which is what we’ll call it since NBA X doesn’t sound quite right, would be a better place if users took a cue from the leading candidates for Most Valuable Player.

While Nikola Jokic’s supporters try to tear down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s case by bringing up his affinity for drawing fouls, there’s so much more to appreciate about SGA’s game. Jokic understands as much.

“He doesn’t complicate. He really knows what he needs. … He’s a really good defender, shot blocker,” Jokic said.

“He doesn’t try to do too much. He’s feeding the team, and he’s really good for them.”

There were a couple instances in Sunday’s game when Gilgeous-Alexander jumped into a defender to get to the line or oversold contact when the Nuggets were in the bonus, but there were more examples of him being an elite contributor on both ends.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s backers claim Jokic pads his stats when the outcome of games is already decided. Those who watch enough Nuggets games have plenty of proof that’s not the case when Jokic records his triple-doubles in three quarters and sits most, if not all of, the fourth. Sure, Malone has left Jokic out there for a couple of extra minutes to reach a milestone on occasion, but it’s hardly a common enough occurrence for it to be a legitimate criticism.

“The amount he controls their offense, it’s going to be hard to turn them over,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He’s a good player. He takes care of the ball. He makes the right play almost every time down.”

NBA discourse would be in a better place if Gilgeous-Alexander’s fans focused more on him leading the Thunder to the Western Conference’s best record while leading the league in scoring and contributing on the other end. Jokic’s fans have evidence he’s having the best offensive season in NBA history. Those are strong enough cases to make without ripping the competition.

What I’m following

—Aaron Gordon missed Monday’s game after tweaking his calf once again in Sunday’s loss. Prior to Monday’s game, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said the team would get more information once they returned to Denver. The hope is Gordon can return in the next few games as opposed to a multi-week absence.

—The Lakers could be without LeBron James for both of their upcoming games agains the Nuggets. James is expected to miss a week or two after suffering a groin strain Saturday. Los Angeles plays at Denver on Friday, and the Nuggets head to Los Angeles on March 19.

—The Rockets could be without one of the league’s most exciting young talents when the Nuggets visit Houston on March 23. Amen Thompson is expected to miss two weeks with a sprained left ankle he suffered Saturday.

—Over the weekend, Cleveland became the first team to clinch a playoff berth. The Cavaliers have the NBA’s best record, 54-10, after beating Milwaukee Sunday. Oklahoma City isn’t far behind at 53-11, and the Thunder will be the NBA’s second team to clinch a playoff berth.

What they’re saying

Michael Porter Jr. didn’t spend much time defending Gilgeous-Alexander, but he offered an insightful answer as to why Oklahoma City’s superstar is such a tough cover in the modern NBA.

“He’s still one of those players that’s a high-volume midrange (shooter). When you’re comfortable in that midrange area and you can get your shot off and you can make it at such a high clip, a lot of what defenses are giving up in today’s NBA is that midrange,” Porter said. “A lot of teams try to limit 3s. A lot of teams try to protect the paint, but he’s a prolific scorer, because he can do all three. But he’s really good in that midrange.”

Porter also offered an honest assessment of Denver’s struggles against some of the top teams in the league.

“Things that you get away with against mediocre teams are not things that you’re going to get away with against the best teams. I think we haven’t done a good job this year at winning those games against some of the top teams,” Porter said. “We need to figure out how we can understand these principles and apply these principles game in, game out, even against a lesser opponent, so that we can be ready for the playoffs.”

The List

Oklahoma City’s win and Gilgeous-Alexander’s big game Sunday shifted the Most Valuable Player odds once again after Jokic made up ground with his 30-point, 20-rebound, 20-assist game on Friday. It’s still a two-man race on FanDuel:

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder, -600

2. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets, +430

3. Jayson Tatum, Celtics, +50,000

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks, +50,000

5. LeBron James, Lakers, +50,000