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 on the Trail Blazers. Don't look now, but Murray is averaging 21, 6 and 4 for the season and is on an absolute tear. Is there a chance Jamal could play himself into All-NBA consideration? How does his play over the last month change the Nuggets' title contention hopes?

+ The fellas try to fix the NBA All-Star Game, with Matt delivering a game-changer of an idea. And then ... reader emails!

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel