Nuggets Ink

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Denver Post beat writer Bennett Durando is joined by Oklahoman beat writer Joel Lorenzi to break down a tight MVP race and the remaining slate of games in the NBA season. Among the topics discussed:

+ Nikola Jokic has come out of the All-Star break on a tear, but can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get the West’s No. 1 seed and take home his first MVP?

+ Where does Luka Doncic rank? All the stats are there, but do do the Mavs have enough wins for a solid case?

+ Giannis Antetokounmpo is having a career year, but are Jokic and SGA too far ahead of the field?

+ Jayson Tatum is the best player on the best team… does the math add up?

+ Bennett and AAron talk about their All-Star weekend in Indy.

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 NBA trade deadline comes to a close. Among the topics discussed:

+ Who are the winners and losers from the trade deadline? Who got better? Who got worse? Have any new contenders emerged?

+ The Nuggets stood pat at the deadline, with their lone deal involving the rights to a player who wasn't even on their 18-man roster.  Is the path to another title secure with Reggie Jackson, Peyton Watson and Christian Braun coming off the bench?

+ The All-NBA and MVP 65-game threshold is suddenly the talk of the league following Joel Embiid's injury. Is it fair to the players to put a requirement on the number of games played? Matt and Bennett debate.

+Reader emails and more.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink Podcast, Denver Post Nuggets beat writer Bennett Durando is joined by his predecessor Mike Singer.

+ Did Joel Embiid cede the MVP after sitting out against the Nuggets for the fourth straight game at Ball Arena? Citing knee soreness minutes before tipoff, Embiid scratched from lineup for the Nuggets' home matchup of the year.

+ Giannis and the Bucks come to town and the Nuggets edge them 113-107 to complete the weeklong trifecta of wins over the top three teams from the Eastern Conference following victories at Boston and a home win against Philadelphia.

+ Where are the Nuggets heading into the All-Star break among the best in the NBA?

+ Bennett and Mike square off in a game of ‘Who wrote it?’

All this and more…

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink Podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene at the tail end of an epic road trip for Denver. Among the topics discussed:

+ How impressive is the Nuggets' road performance? Are you more sold on this team as the leading NBA title contender? Is the win at Boston the most telling game of the year as the team looks ahead to the playoffs?

+ The fellas take a look at Jamal Murray's All-Star case. What is the likelihood he emerges as a reserve? Where does he rank in a stacked Western Conference backcourt?

+ Bennett speaks on the death of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, his relationship with Nikola Jokic and how the Nuggets superstar has dealt with the sudden passing of a friend.

+ MVP race: Joel Embiid a clear leader. Can Jokic make up ground?

+ Kevin Durant in the GOAT conversation? Schubert weighs in with his own hot take.

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 to talk about the one thing that matters most: Nikola Jokic vs. Joel Embiid. Among the topics discussed:

+ In the first matchup of the season between the two men who won the last three MVPs, the 76ers and Joel Embiid came out on top against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Did Philadelphia have the right idea with its defensive strategy?

+ After a recent strong stretch of play, has Michael Porter Jr. become No. 3 in the pecking order for Denver? 

+ The Nuggets find themselves in the midst of a brutal 10-game stretch. What can be learned during this grueling stretch?

+ Does Jokic vs. Embiid have the early makings of Russell vs. Wilt 2.0?

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 miraculous comeback at Golden State and fourth-quarter fade vs. Orlando. Among the topics discussed:

+ Nikola Jokic didn't call glass from 39 feet, but the basket counted anyway against the Golden State Warriors. Where does the shot rank among the ever-growing lore of Jokic game-winners and clutch shots?

+ Michael Porter Jr. was diplomatic in his response to a question about his lack of fourth-quarter shots. Is this a real problem for the Nuggets? Does Denver need to rethink how it closes out games?

+ Has Peyton Watson surpassed all expectations and fellow young teammates to earn a spot in the conversation of defensive stopper alongside Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope?

+ The Kentucky Wildcats draft saw Matt, Bennett and AAron Ontiveroz square off. Who is the Wildcat GM of note?

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 two weeks with a bunch of news to discuss. Among the topics discussed:

+ For the first time in quite some time, Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic actually got a friendly whistle in a Christmas Day win over the Golden State Warriors — prompting a testy rant from Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Was the future Hall of Fame coach right about players baiting officials? And even if he is, is there anything the NBA can do about it?

+ Later that night, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon suffered injuries from a dog bite while celebrating with a little eggnog. What's more surprising: That Gordon was in such good spirits a few days later? Or that he's a Nog Guy?

+ The Oklahoma City Thunder left Denver with a second consecutive win at Ball Arena this season. Is it time for Bennett to revise his "Nuggets in five" prediction from before Christmas?

+ The fellas engage in a draft of former Kentucky Wildcats currently playing in the NBA. Did AAron reach for Karl-Anthony Towns?

+ A fresh batch of reader emails arrived in Matt's inbox ([email protected]).

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 Nuggets' win in Toronto. Among the topics discussed:

+ Jamal Murray made his glorious return to Toronto, near his hometown of Kitchener. How was the reception? And where does he stand among all of the Canadian ballers?

+ Peyton Watson continues to submit gems off the bench both offensively and defensively. Could Watson end up being the Nuggets' best player off the bench by the end of the season?

+ After seeing what the Oklahoma City Thunder did to the Denver Nuggets last week, is it time to start taking the Thunder seriously as playoff threats?

+ Who's been naughty and who's been nice for the Nuggets so far this season? The fellas sift through lumps of coal.

A fresh batch of reader emails arrived in Matt's inbox ([email protected]).

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 talk ejections, suspensions, injuries and rookie prowess. Among the topics discussed:

+ Is Nikola Jokic being unfairly refereed by officiating crews around the NBA? After getting ejected for the second time this season -- while shooting just six free throws per game — is there a case that the two-time MVP isn't receiving the same whistle as other stars?

+ Draymond Green is off to therapy after his latest heinous act on a basketball court. What is the reality of who he is at this point in his career?

+ Jamal Murray is closer to saying goodbye to a supermax contract as the injuries mount. Is it time for the Nuggets to take a step back and hold him out of more games to allow him time to fully heal? Or is this destined to be a recurring theme this season?

+ Bennett, who has been on the Julian Strawther train since day one, discusses his back-to-back games of note. Is he among the best Michael Malone-era rookies to date? His numbers seem to indicate the veteran-leaning coach is starting to trust the youngster.

+ A fresh batch of reader emails arrived in Matt's inbox ([email protected]), but no new iTunes reviews and an alarming lack of sponsorship dollars from the Northglenn boys basketball program.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: “The Last Dragons” by Schama Noel

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, host Matt Schubert and beat writer Bennett Durando catch up prior to the Nuggets' loss at the Los Angeles Clippers. Among the topics discussed:

+ The fellas catch up on a few superlatives at the quarter point of the season for the Nuggets. What's the best win of the season to date? Worst loss? Biggest surprise? Biggest disappointment?

+ What's the verdict on the NBA In Season Tournament? Is this a win for the league? Worth keeping around? Does anyone really want the medals that go to the winning team? Did the Nuggets at all regret not qualifying for the quarterfinals?

+ Is it already time to declare Jamal Murray's All-NBA chances dead given all of his missed games?

+ We found out Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther and Christian Braun all live in the same apartment complex. So which one is Kramer?