Nuggets Ink

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with the NBA Finals on tap. Among the topics discussed: + Speaking to reporters twice in the span of a few weeks, Nuggets President and Governor Josh Kroenke made it clear he thinks the answers to Denver's problems are internal. Then he backed that up by officially hiring interim coach David Adelman as head coach. How much pressure does that put on Adelman to get the team back to title contention? + Do Kroenke's words mean we can expect another internal hire for the general manager opening? Who might that be? When will that decision be made? And who are some of the bargain free agents they can target? + Are the Nuggets about to become a half-court team with a totally remade defensive strategy? Changes to the coaching staff seem to indicate that while there is an emphasis on maintaining the status quo, things won't be entirely the same schematically. + Bennett and Matt give an assessment

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver's elimination from the NBA Playoffs. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets' season not-so-mercifully came to an end in a Game 7 blowout loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder. What was the biggest culprit in their demise? Did the Thunder's cynical approach to overtly physical defense finally break Nikola Jokic? Did Denver even stand a chance after all of the injuries and its relative lack of depth? + How did the Nuggets get here? Who is ultimately responsible for their second consecutive exit in the Western Conference semifinals? Is this all on former general manager Calvin Booth? What role did Michael Malone play in the team's inability to develop long-term depth? Is there even some blood on Tim Connelly's hands? + Now that the season is finished, where do the Nuggets go from here? Without any draft picks to add to the roster, are there moves that can be made to improve the r

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver's Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Among the topics discussed: + Game 4 reactions: The worst first quarter in the history of baskets or balls? Yes. + What's to blame for the poor start? Tired legs? The 36-hour crunch between games? Both? + What's wrong with Nikola Jokic? Another tough outing has some wondering if the arm sleeve is thinly concealing a nagging injury. The 3-point and free throw lines weigh in. + Conversely, has anyone done more to elevate their stock than Aaron Gordon in these NBA Playoffs? Could the Nuggets ever consider trading a player who's cemented his status as one of the most beloved players on the team? + What do the Nuggets need to do to survive the Thunder and advance to the Western Conference Finals? Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver's stunning Game 1 comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets rallied from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to take down Oklahoma City on its home court in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. How did the Nuggets pull it off? And how does the ball keep finding Aaron Gordon in these clutch moments? + How much did coaching decisions play into the dramatic final minutes of the game? Did Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault err in sticking with his fouling strategy with Nikola Jokic off the court? Was it wise to extend the game with his team leading by three in the final seconds? + Is there any doubt about Nikola Jokic's MVP bona fides after his heroic Game 1 performance? + Russell Westbrook continues to shine in the playoffs. Is this version of the Russ fans should expect to see as the series ramps up? + What is the

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene as Denver heads to Los Angeles for Game 3 of its first-round NBA Playoffs series against the Clippers. Among the topics discussed: + Two games into the series and things are deadlocked in more ways than one. Total score: 215-214, Clippers. Total turnovers: 31-31. Games won: 1-1. So who has the edge ahead of Game 3? Should we expect more of the same in Los Angeles? + Kawhi Leonard torched the Nuggets for 39 points on 15-of-19 shooting in Game 2. What can Denver do to slow down the Clippers' superstar as the series shifts to L.A.? + Is Nikola Jokic hurt? The Nuggets big man has struggled from the free-throw line and even threw a sleeve on his arm midway through Game 2. What can interim head coach David Adelman do to get his superstar untracked? + Michael Porter Jr. responded to a Game 1 dud with a much better performance in Game 2, yet a costly end-of-game turnover left him blaming himself

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene as Denver prepares to face the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Playoffs. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets closed out the regular season 3-0 under interim head coach David Adelman. What's the vibe around the team been since the firing of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth? Was it the right call to turn to Adelman? + Awaiting the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs? The red-hot Los Angeles Clippers. How do they match up against a Los Angeles roster that appears deeper and more talented? Who holds the edge on the perimeter? In the paint? Could Adelman provide a measure of unpredictability that gives Denver an advantage? + A break down the rest of the matchups in the Western Conference, including a fun one on the opposite side of the bracket between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Where does Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard rank among the scariest individual playoff

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene hours after the stunning firings of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth. Among the topics discussed: + Why now? Why did team president and owner Josh Kroenke fire his head coach and top executive with just three games left in the regular season and the Nuggets in the middle of a playoff race? + Was there any indication this was about to happen? Is the franchise throwing in the towel on the season? How will this impact the Nuggets as they chase a second championship in three seasons? + What is the plan moving forward? What does this mean for the rest of the roster? Who's safe? Who could be on their way out? And who might the Kroenkes pick to turn things around? Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after a pair of Denver losses. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets emptied the tank in an effort to end a five-game skid vs. Minnesota, with Nikola Jokic putting up a 61-point triple-double. Yet after Russell Westbrook's regrettable 14 seconds, Denver dropped that game and another to the Spurs with their starters watching from the bench. Was it worth the gamble? Are there positives that can be taken from the double OT loss? + The No. 2 seed now looks like a distant dream for Denver. And the No. 3 is no guarantee either. With a muddled mess below Oklahoma City and Houston in the West, who do the Nuggets most want to see in the first round? + What confidence level do the boys have in the Nuggets' key players? The fellas hash it out in the second half of the podcast with the NBA playoffs looming in a couple of weeks. Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert are joined by a special guest after a wild Denver win at Golden State. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets are in the middle of a mercurial stretch of basketball that's included some of their best (Nikola Jokic's 30-20-20 vs. Phoenix) and worst (Wizards loss) games of the season. What has this stretch revealed about this team? + The Nuggets take care of the Golden State Warriors without Jokic, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun. Is Vlatko Cancar officially back? Can Aaron Gordon continue to channel the play he produced in that improbable win? + What is it about the Timberwolves that makes them such a bad matchup for the Nuggets? Are they the worst potential first-round opponent for Denver? + Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander take the MVP for good after Denver's disastrous loss to the Wizards? + What are the dream matchups for the first round of the NBA playoffs? Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "T

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after a long road trip for Michael Malone's bunch. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets split a recent four-game swing through the Eastern Conference, winning in Indianapolis and Detroit and losing in Milwaukee and Boston. What was the overall takeaway from the trip?  + Seemingly inspired by the Lakers' recent win in Denver, teams are starting to make a habit of roughing up Nikola Jokic. The tactic led to head coach Michael Malone intentionally taking a technical foul less than a minute into the Nuggets' game at Detroit. Is this a problem for Denver? Or yet another Rubik's Cube that the Joker will eventually conquer? + The Nuggets head to Oklahoma City for a big-time back-to-back early next week, with the NBA MVP race likely hanging in the balance. What does Nikola Jokic need to do to surge past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Is a split fine? Or do he and the Nuggets need a sweep? + Julia

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene days after a dreadful NBA All-Star Game. Among the topics discussed: + Bennett and AAron were in the building to witness the abomination that was Sunday night's NBA All-Star Game. Was it even worse in person than it was on TV? Can the game be fixed? ESPN's Tim Bontemps released his latest MVP straw poll and Nikola Jokic — currently averaging a triple-double — was second behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. How high is the bar for Jokic to win his fourth MVP in five years? + Russell Westbrook left the lineup and the Nuggets played their best basketball of the season with Christian Braun going up another level. If Michael Malone was worried about messing up a good thing the last time he had to make a starting lineup decision, does the same logic apply now that Denver has hit its stride with Russ in street clothes? + Jamal Murray closed out the first half of the season by dropping a double nickel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after the NBA trade deadline. Among the topics discussed: + For the second year in a row, Calvin Booth opted to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline. Is the inaction an indication the Nuggets general manager is happy with his roster? Or did he lack options to upgrade a team looking to win a second title in three seasons? + Peyton Watson is out for a month after what at first blush appeared to be an innocuous injury. How worried should the team be about his availability for the playoffs? + Head coach Michael Malone opted to keep Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup and send Christian Braun to be bench after Aaron Gordon rejoined the starting five. How motivated is Braun in the wake of the demotion? And did Malone make the right call? + With trade season now officially complete, the fellas hand out grades for the most significant deals, including the shocking blockbuster that sent Luka

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver's annihilation of Philadelphia. Among the topics discussed: + Is the Joel Embiid-Nikola Jokic debate officially over? Will the 76ers big man ever play in Denver again? Is the new big-man rivalry between Jokic and Victor Wembanyama? + The Nuggets are red hot after winning six of their last seven games. How much of this run can be pinned on the injury woes affecting their opponents? How much is just the Nuggets hitting their stride? How much is getting Aaron Gordon back in the lineup? + The recent run of success also happens to have coincided with the insertion of Russell Westbrook into the starting lineup. Should the Nuggets keep the veteran point guard in the starting five, even after Gordon is fully acclimated? Should Christian Braun go to the bench? Or should Michael Malone go back to his original starting five as early as possible? + Is Nikola Jokic's elbow injury a cause

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene as the calendar flips to 2025 with a Denver rout of Atlanta. Among the topics discussed: + Jamal Murray's annual slow start to the season appears to finally be in the rearview mirror. With the Nuggets surging at 8-3 in their last 11 games, is this the key to the season? + Nikola Jokic was the clear favorite in ESPN's MVP straw poll at the end of the NBA Cup. Could he really win his fourth MVP in five seasons? Or is it Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's time with the Thunder rising above the rest in the Western Conference? + Russell Westbrook is fitting in with the Nuggets so far in the regular season. Can this last for Denver once the postseason rolls around? + How much of a concern is Aaron Gordon's hamstring issues? Should the Nuggets sit him for a while so he's 100% healthy for April? + Updated Nuggets Ink wins leader standings revealed and more listener emails. Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Mus

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene as trade season begins in the NBA. Among the topics discussed: + Zach Lavine to the Denver Nuggets ... not so fast, sweetheart. Can the front office make a pitch to move enough pieces to upgrade -- Or not upgrade? — a roster that has left fans wondering if the glory of 2023 can return to the Mile High. + If not Lavine, then who? Jordan Poole, Cam Johnson? Is MPJ worth keeping, if the market yields parallel moves? + Jamal Murray does Jamal Murray things in Sacramento. Is his early-season lull an aberration? Will he return to form? + The Bucks win the in-season tournament. Can the Nuggets find a way to take seriously the fledgling competition or are their sights solely set on another NBA Finals run this season and for years to come? Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene as Denver gets ready for the NBA Cup. Among the topics discussed: + The NBA Cup is here, and people are wearing captain hats in Golden State! How about those courts? Terrible or just plain awful? + Nikola Jokic is playing like an MVP yet again. Can the big fella handle such a big load all season? Or does Michael Malone need to dial back on the minutes? Is Dario Saric already done with the Nuggets? + The youth movement is on in Denver after the young trio of Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther played key roles in back-to-back wins against the OKC Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks. Is it time for Calvin Booth to take a victory lap? + Bennett reviews the NBA wins draft and where everyone stands early in the season. Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene two weeks into the regular season. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets are 4-3 with several narrow wins on the resume that revealed more than a few holes. And now the national media is in a panic over Denver's title window. Time to pump the breaks? + The boys dig into a few overreactions in a game of "It might be early, but .." Chief among those hot takes: Is it time to start worrying about Jamal Murray? + Has Christian Braun already proven himself an upgrade over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the Nuggets' starting lineup? What happens if Aaron Gordon continues his torrid 3-point shooting? Is this the worst second unit of the Nikola Jokic era? Speaking of the big fella: Is the Joker really going to win the MVP yet again? + On the other side of the break, Matt offers up a few more overreactions from around the NBA, then the boys open up the mailbag.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with the regular season set to tip off. Among the topics discussed: + Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon got his contract extension -- a four-year, $133 million deal that could have him in Denver through the 2028-29 season. Is the value good? What does this mean for the team long-term? + Bennett goes abroad and recounts stories from his time in the United Arab Emirates, where he covered a couple of Nuggets preseason games and saw Nikola Jokic's old team, Mega, in Dubai. + Jamal Murray had a bit of a bumpy preseason with a "funny" knee and a couple of off shooting nights. Cause for concern or just the normal getting-ready-for-the-season routine for Murray? + Bennett makes some Nuggets over/under predictions as Matt cooks up the stats. Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with media day just one week away. Among the topics discussed: + Jamal Murray is officially locked up. The Nuggets' star point guard signed a four-year, $208.5 million extension after an up-and-down summer that concluded with a sub-par showing at the Paris Olympics.  What does the deal mean for the Nuggets long-term? Was this a move the team had to make? + Looking back at the Olympics, Bennett talks about his experience watching Serbia and Team USA face off in the group stage of the Summer Games. Who impressed most in Paris? Is there anything that can be taken from those games that applies to this upcoming NBA season? + Our old friend Mike Singer has joined the Nuggets front office. A good addition? Or a great addition?  + The fellas draft all 30 NBA teams based upon how many wins they think each team will finish with. Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with Russell Westbrook expected to soon join Denver in free agency. Among the topics discussed: + Russell Westbrook is bound to be a Mile High favorite, but does he have enough left at nearly 36 years old to help the Nuggets return to the NBA Finals? Ideally, who can play alongside Westbrook on the second unit? + Has the Nuggets’ starting five taken a step back this season with the loss of KCP? Are they deeper now than they were a year ago? + Rookie DaRon Holmes II ruptured an Achilles tendon in his first Summer League game. How much does this injury hurt Denver's plans? And what else can be gleaned from the Nuggets' performances in Las Vegas? + The Paris Olympics are almost here. Who is most likely to bring back a medal: Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray? Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel