Nuggets Ink

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 legacy of the Nuggets' series win over the Clippers? Who gained the most from those seven games? And what does it say about Denver that it's advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs six times in seven years?

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 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 for the loss. The veteran forward also revealed his breaking in a new brace on his foot. What does that mean going forward?

+ More: Is Christian Braun lacking aggression or are the Clippers simply limiting what he does well? Russell Westbrook keeps hitting big shots ... and doing other things. Are the pros outweighing the cons? Is David Adelman holding his how against Ty Lue? How impressive was Jamal Murray's UFC-style hoisting of Norman Powell? And why was he wearing a long-sleeve undershirt?

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 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 performers in the field? The fellas pull off an impromptu draft.

+ How did Bennett's NBA awards ballot go? Did Nikola Jokic earn his MVP vote? All is revealed.

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 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: "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 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?

+ Julian Strawther is out for at least the next four weeks after suffering a knee injury. Does this mean the second-year guard will be out of the Malone's playoff rotation? What does this mean down the rest of the roster? More run for Jalen Pickett?

+ Christian Braun has come on strong over the second half of the season, turning in strong offensive numbers while also improving defensively. Could the former Kansas Jayhawk be in the running for Most Improved Player?

+ The Lakers are surging, the Mavericks are sinking and the Warriors are thriving with Jimmy Butler caring about basketball once again. How will this all shake out come playoff time?

The boys review their preseason wins draft. Who's in first place?

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noe

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