Nuggets Ink

In the latest Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer is joined by Nuggets guard Will Barton to talk about his career, the injury that led to him leaving the Orlando bubble in 2020, his recently released documentary and more. Now in his seventh season with the Nuggets (10th overall), Barton says he is the healthiest he has been in years. With Jamal Murray sidelined, Barton's role has expanded with the Nuggets this season and he believes he can continue to grow as Denver vies for a place atop the Western Conference.

In the latest Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and Matt Schubert look back at the opening week of the Nuggets' 2021-22 season. With the Nuggets sitting at 2-2, the fellas contemplate some concerning early trends just four games into the campaign. Will Michael Porter Jr. begin to look like the max player he was signed to be? Will Bones Hyland's skills go unnoticed? Will Will Barton be the answer to Jamal Murray's indefinite absence? And of course, Bol Bol. These questions and more are addressed. Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "Follow the Leader" The Trujillo Company

In the latest Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer is joined by The Ringer's Rob Mahoney to discuss his latest story "Michael Porter Jr. will get his moment... if he's ready for it." After dropping to the 14th pick of the 2018 NBA draft, Porter's future was uncertain due to back problems, which significantly dropped his stock in a class featuring future stars Trae Young, Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton. Despite early career injuries and Porter's outspoken stance on vaccinations heading into the 2021-22 NBA season, Mahoney's report from within Nuggets camp paints a picture of a team ready for MPJ to finally break through as the star he was billed as entering his college career at Missouri.

In the latest Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer is joined by deputy sports editor Matt Schubert to talk about Singer's time at the Nuggets' training camp in San Diego and storylines that have emerged over the past two weeks. Among the topics discussed... + Is the Bones Hyland hype real? Could Nuggets head coach Michael Malone give real minutes to a rookie? What does the VCU product, a +8,000 underdog for rookie of the year, need to do to find a spot in Denver's crowded backcourt? + Will Bol Bol finally appease the masses and make his long-awaited debut as a rotation staple? What's the story behind his reported attitude change? What happened that produced a more focused player ahead of camp? + What is the Nuggets' place in the Western Conference ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season? With Jamal Murray's return date unknown, what are reasonable expectations for this team? + Is this conference still the Lakers' to lose? Who should come out of the East? Does Kyrie Irving's bizarre behavior put the Nets at r

In the latest Nuggets Ink podcast, Nuggets guard Austin Rivers joins host Mike Singer in San Diego during the team's preseason training camp to discuss his winding NBA career. Rivers opens up about a basketball journey that has seen him go from YouTube sensation and heralded Duke recruit to league journeyman. Now 29 years old and on his sixth NBA franchise, and second season with the Nuggets, Rivers is a league veteran who values his opportunity with a team he believes has championship potential. Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "Follow the Leader" The Trujillo Company

In the latest Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer is joined by Kyle Fredrickson in the wake of Nuggets Media day and the news that Michael Porter Jr. and Denver had agreed to a five-year max contract extension. Among the topics discussed: + Did Nuggets brass make the right call giving Porter a five-year extension that could be worth as much as $207 million. What was it that convinced them MPJ is a max contract player? What does the timing of the agreement say about the relationship between Porter and the franchise? What does this mean for the Nuggets going forward? + Speaking on Monday, Bol Bol appeared to embrace the idea that he needs to be a more mature, consistent player. How encouraging were his responses to questions at Media Day? Is there still hope that the third-year player can be a long-term piece of the puzzle for the Nuggets? What must happen for him to finally break through? Is the clock ticking on his time in Denver? + Jamal Murray spoke for the first time since tearing his ACL on Apri

In the first Nuggets Ink podcast of the 2021-22 season, head coach Michael Malone and team president Tim Connelly join beat writer Mike Singer and columnist Mark Kiszla for a discussion before the start of training camp. Among the topics discussed: + Where are things at with Michael Porter Jr.'s potential contract extension? Is the team optimistic something can get worked out prior to the season? How has the young forward developed within the Nuggets' team-first culture? How has Malone's relationship with Porter grown through the years? + How is rehab going for Jamal Murray? Is the team hopeful he will be able to see the floor by the end of the season? What was the scene like in the locker room in the immediate aftermath of Murray's season-ending ACL injury last spring? + What more can be asked of Nikola Jokic after he just submitted the first NBA MVP season in franchise history? What has his mindset been during this offseason? Time to relax or push even harder? + How important was it to the team to lock up

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in two games into the Nuggets-Trail Blazers playoff series with things all tied up at 1-1 and Game 3 set for Thursday night. Among the topics discussed: + Michael Malone broke the glass in Game 2, calling on Aaron Gordon to take the emergency defensive assignment on Damian Lillard. How much more of that should we expect to see as the series goes on? Did Malone play the Gordon card earlier in the series than he wanted to? + The Nuggets have received significant contributions from the bench, from a big Game 2 performance from Paul Millsap to Markus Howard's surprise role in both games. Is this sustainable? When might Denver get reinforcements in the way of Will Barton and P.J. Dozier? + Nikola Jokic has had all of six assists combined in the first two games of the series — or two below his per game average during the regular season. How big of a deal is this for the Nuggets? And what can they do to open things up a bit more f

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in with Denver closing in on one of the top four seeds in the Western Conference playoffs. Among the topics discussed: + Another week has produced another injury in the Denver backcourt. Why do the Basketball Gods hate the Nuggets? How will this affect rotations going forward? What are potential scenarios for Denver's backcourt come playoff time? + How will things shake out in the front court between Paul Millsap, JaMychal Green and JaVale McGee? Are there enough minutes to go around? Which one of those players is sitting come playoff time? + Speaking of the playoffs, who are the Nuggets hoping to see in the first round between the L.A. Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers? + Is Aaron Gordon doing enough offensively? Is it time for him to start asserting himself more on the offensive end of the floor? Or would that take away from him defensive contributions? + Michael Porter Jr. has taken things up a notch in

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer is joined by ESPN's Brian Windhorst to discuss all things Nikola Jokic and why he still has Philadelphia's Joel Embiid atop his MVP rankings. Among the topics discussed: + Why Windhorst and fellow ESPN reporters Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon were all "in their feelings" during a contentious MVP debate last week on the Hoop Collective podcast. + Why Jokic's availability shouldn't be overlooked in comparison to Embiid's 18 games missed. + Whether Jokic is an acquired taste among casual NBA fans and how much of that the Serbian star has brought on himself. Does the NBA have a starpower problem? + What are the implications of Jamal Murray's injury for the Nuggets in both the long- and short-term? + Will Michael Porter Jr. command a max salary when he comes up for free agency? + Windhorst shares some of his favorite stories from Michael Malone's days in Cleveland as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers — back when he was known as "Mike." + How a weddin

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and The Athletic's Sam Amick break down all angles of the Jamal Murray injury. Among the topics discussed: + When Murray went down with 50 seconds left in the Golden State game, Amick didn't want to believe it was as bad as it looked. He didn't even want to focus on the potential injury when Steph Curry had just made history for the Warriors. + Why did Murray's torn ACL have a more profound impact on Amick than other similar injuries? How do journalists toe the line between objectivity and building a relationship with a player? Why do journalists root for the people in the NBA and not necessarily the teams they play for? + What are the immediate implications of Murray's injury this season and what does success look like from Denver's perspective in the postseason? + What impact will Murray's injury have heading into next season, and when can we expect his return? Would Murray's status alter free agent decisions for Will Barton, JaMychal Green or P

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in with the trade deadline just 24 hours away. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets are on a roll, winning nine of their last 11 games. Is this really the time to be shopping for a deal? Should executive Tim Connelly be worried about messing with team chemistry? + Does Lakers star LeBron James' high ankle sprain factor into the front office's thinking around the deadline? Is there now an increased urgency to improve the roster with a path to the title seemingly widening? + Does Denver have the assets to entice other teams? What might those assets be? And who might other teams covet on the Nuggets roster? + Who are the possible targets for the Nuggets? We break down five names (Aaron Gordon, Harrison Barnes, JaVale McGee, Lonzo Ball and Kenrich Williams) and rank them in order of likelihood and team fit. Then Matt Schubert offers up a wish list of his own. + With LeBron and Joel Embiid now on the shelf, and voters unlik

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in after Denver absolutely destroyed the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. Among the topics discussed: + Michael Porter Jr. appears to be ascending toward stardom. What has happened over the past month that has led to his consistently productive play? Has he found his spot at the four? Could we ever get to the point that he's the No. 2 on the Nuggets' Big Three of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and MPJ? + Jamal Murray was open and honest with reporters about his desire to get away from basketball during the All-Star break. What does that say about Jamal? What does that say about his season? How much does that explain his uneven start following the break? + Facundo Campazzo is starting to look awfully comfortable with the second unit. Has the Argentinian sensation found his role? Is he here to stay in Michael Malone's rotation? Who else has Facu Fever? + Don't look now, but everyone's favorite punching bag, Will Barton, has

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in after Nikola Jokic went nuclear on the Chicago Bulls. Among the topics discussed: + Nuggets coach Michael Malone compared Jokic to Spurs legend Tim Duncan during Monday night's postgame news conference. How apt is that comparison? What makes Joker such an unstoppable force offensively now? + Jokic and Jamal Murray have found their form together in the last 10 games, but the Nuggets are only 6-4 over that span. How concerning should that be? What are the Nuggets missing? Are their problems fixable? + What is Nuggets executive Tim Connelly looking for on the trade market with the deadline three weeks away? Is it inevitable that Denver makes a deal? Who's out there that might interest management? + Bol Bol is clearly at the back end of the rotation, with players like Vlatko Cančar now taking his minutes. Why is Malone no longer giving him meaningful minutes? Is this an indication he's still got a ways to go in developing? W

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in as the Denver Nuggets return from a rough East Coast road trip that saw them go 1-3 despite a series of big games from Jamal Murray. Among the topics discussed: + Jamal Murray fired back at Singer following a loss at the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night — the Nuggets' third in four games. Was it a sign of the star point guard's frustration with a team struggling to consistently win games? Should there be reason for concern in the Nuggets locker room? + Michael Porter Jr. didn't see the court in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' loss Sunday night. Why wasn't he on the floor? Is the second-year forward in coach Michael Malone's doghouse once again? Is Malone hurting the team's ability to properly evaluate Porter ahead of restricted free agency? + Facundo Campazzo found himself in the starting lineup for the first time last week. How should we gauge his contributions? Does his play warrant more trust from Malone? Does he play

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in as the surging Denver Nuggets get ready to take on the Lakers. Among the topics discussed: + The Jerami Grant/Mason Plumlee revenge game that wasn't: What was the scene like inside Ball Arena? How much is Michael Malone to blame for Grant souring on Denver? Despite the all-star caliber numbers being put up by Grant, is there a chance he regrets his decision to bolt for Motown? + Nikola Jokic was named the Western Conference Player of the Month just days after he torched the Utah Jazz for 47 points. Where does Joker rank in the NBA MVP race? Is there any chance he overtakes LeBron James? Was Sunday's win over the Jazz a preview of things to come? + Michael Porter Jr. is back on the roster, but no longer starting. Should he be in the starting five? Is he a better weapon for Coach Malone coming off the bench? Where would you like to see him grow as an offensive player? + Trade rumors are swirling around Bradley Beal. Sho

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in a day after James Harden's trade to the Brooklyn Nets. Among the topics discussed: + What does the James Harden mega-deal mean for the Nuggets and the rest of the NBA? Are the Nets now about the league's top title contenders? + Inconsistency is creeping back into Jamal Murray's game. Will we ever see Bubble Jamal on a game-to-game basis? Is it possible he's hampered by injuries? + Nikola Jokic is averaging a triple-double as the hub of the Nuggets' attack. Can he keep this up for a full season? What needs to happen for him to be named NBA MVP? + PJ Dozier is getting a lot of run in crunch time. Is this just tinkering by Coach Michael Malone? Should other players be on the court during winning time? + Michael Porter Jr. has tested positive for the coronavirus, which could possibly be the second time he was stricken with the virus. What does this mean for the Nuggets? How should they handle his return to the roster?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in after Denver's 1-3 start one week into the regular season. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets are currently giving up 120 points per game. What's wrong with the defense? Can it be fixed with the current roster? Is Denver now an "offensive team"? + Michael Porter Jr. is back to scoring in bunches, but he's also letting the opponents do the same. Is this endangering his starting spot? How long will it take for him to reach a plus level on the defensive end? + Nikola Jokic is off to a torrid start with three triple-doubles in four games. Is he the best center in the NBA? Might we be seeing the beginnings of a legitimate MVP campaign? + JaMychal Green has yet to appear in a regular-season game with the Nuggets. How much will his return lock roles into their proper place? Can he help solve some of Denver's defensive issues? + Time to buy low on Facundo Campazzo stock? He's not seeing a ton of minutes, and some of the e

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in as "training camp" begins and the regular season opener looms just two weeks away.Among the topics discussed: + How will the battle for the starting 2-4 spots in the Nuggets' lineup play out? + Will Barton sounded confident, if not slightly defiant, about his place on the team upon returning from injury. How long before he's back to his usual self? + The Nuggets and backup point guard Monte Morris agreed to a three-year extension this week. Does that cement his status with the franchise? Or does he remain an interesting trade chip? + What will it take for Gary Harris to regain his spot in the starting lineup? How much hope is there for him finding his way back offensively? + Can Euro import Facundo Campazzo contribute at the NBA level?And can he and Morris survive defensively in an undersized backcourt?

The Nuggets Ink podcast makes its glorious return just in time to talk about a wild five days with the NBA draft and free agency for the Denver Nuggets. Jerami Grant is gone. JaMychal Green is here. R.J. Hampton could be a future all-star? Beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert break it all down, and even dig in to the Jrue Holiday trade that wasn't, in this latest episode.