In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver's 3-1 road trip across two time zones. Among the topics discussed:

+ Michael Porter Jr. bounced back in a big way in Chicago, responding from a subpar game in Boston with a 31-point smoke show in Chicago. What does that performance say about the young wing's growth as a player? Another sign of increased maturity for the team's third star?

+ The Nuggets have played an absolutely brutal schedule to start the season, with just four home games out of 13. And yet, they find themselves at the top of the Western Conference standings. Is this an indication the Nuggets are ready to meet the high expectations that have been set for them?

+ Despite some uneven play from DeAndre Jordan, backup big Zeke Nnaji still has yet to get a shot at a consistent role with the second unit. Is this something we can expect to see throughout the season? What's keeping from seeing the floor on a night-to-night basis?

+ In the second half of the podcast, Mike fields questions from listeners, including one who wants to know what the team can do to keep Bruce Brown in the fold long term.