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

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 Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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 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 for concern? Why won't he share what caused the injury in the first place? Matt goes full tinfoil hat conspiracy theorist.

+ The fellas power rank the Nuggets' biggest threats in the Western Conference.

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 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

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 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