Nuggets Ink

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, host Matt Schubert and beat writer Bennett Durando catch up with the Nuggets riding a three-game winning streak heading into the weekend. Among the topics discussed:

+ Is Matt back on the Suns bandwagon after writing them off one game into the season as they look to capture the first NBA in season tournament championship? Matt and Bennett discuss where things stand with the Nuggets on the outside looking in.

+ Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan had themselves an evening against their former team in Los Angeles. What does the performance say about this team? And where does that win stand among this era's best?

+ Jamal Murray returned after a monthlong injury on Wednesday night, immediately tweaked his ankle, then hit a 40-footer not long after that. What are the takeaways from his first game back? And what can fans look forward to as he strives to regain his form?

+ The fellas engage in an NBA centers draft. Who knows ball... an editor, beat writer or photographer?

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 after the Nuggets' win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Among the topics discussed:

+ Where does Draymond Green choking Rudy Gobert rank among the great fights in NBA history? Who are the NBA's real tough guys? Fake tough guys? The fellas provide a semi-definitive list.

+ What teams on the rise appear to be legitimate threats to the Nuggets' repeat championship hopes? Minnesota is balling, the Oklahoma City Thunder are making noise and the Phoenix Suns are setting.

+ The new-look L.A. Clippers came to Denver and got sent home with an "L" once again. Should the Nuggets be at all worried about them? Or is this just the same, old Clippers?

+ Listener reviews! All five stars, and at least one of them is pretty saucy.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, host Matt Schubert and beat writer Bennett Durando catch up after the Nuggets' dramatic win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Among the topics discussed:

Julian Strawther had a breakout game against New Orleans one night, then found himself riding the bench for long stretches two nights later. How long will it take the rookie to break through coach Michael Malone's rotation?

+ Jamal Murray is expected to miss several games, with ESPN and The Athletic both reporting the Nuggets star guard will be out at least through November. How have Reggie Jackson and second-year point guard Collin Gillespie performed in his absence?

+ Nikola Jokic has his worst 20-second stretch of basketball in recent memory at the end of Wednesday night's win over Golden State, but the two-time MVP still turned in a brilliant performance overall. Is the Joker hunting his shot more?

+ Puppy Lord: The birth of an all-time nickname for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, whose puppies (feet) have him in the race for the NBA's All-Defensive selections at season's end.

+ Veteran columnist Mark Kiszla joins the panel to check the youthful musings of Durando.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, host Matt Schubert and beat writer Bennett Durando wildly overreact to the Nuggets' 4-0 start. Among the topics discussed:

• Matt provides four wild overreactions to the first five percent of the NBA season. Does it matter that head coach Michael Malone hates overreactions? Short answer? Not here.

• Is Peyton Watson for real? The second-year pro is shooting over 60 percent for the season and tallying 1.5 blocks so far. Time to start engraving the trophy for Sixth Man of the Year?

• Bennett, still working on growing his first legitimate beard at the recording of this podcast, discusses his Halloween costume and potential for others in the remaining years of his youth.

• The first annual NBA in-season tournament begins this week. Are the courts merely bad Halloween costumes masquerading as good taste? Can the Nuggets win their group? Does it matter?

• Is a surprise James Harden in your candy bar the new razorblade in a Snickers this Oct. 31? Bennett thinks so.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "Follow the Leader" The Trujillo Company

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Bennett Durando is joined by editor Matt Schubert to discuss the upcoming season on the cusp of banner night at Ball Arena. Among the topics discussed:

+ Zeke Nnaji and the Nuggets agreed to a four-year, $32 million extension over the weekend. What was the motivation behind the deal? And what are the chances he spends all four years in Denver?

+ Will Nikola Jokic win his third MVP award? Will Jamal Murray be named to the All-NBA team? How many games will Michael Porter Jr. play this season? Can the Nuggets win more than 52 games? Who will play the most minutes off the bench? Durando and Schubert dig into that and several other questions.

+ Media beef: Who is coming for the Nuggets from the world of media this season? And why isn't it Kendrick Perkins?

+ Best banner in arena history? Will the NBA world champs banner have much shelf life if the Nuggets win the mid-season tournament?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Bennett Durando is joined by editor Matt Schubert to discuss training camp in San Diego, Denver's first preseason game and all things NBA. Among the topics discussed:

+ A trio of rookies are looking to crack coach Michael Malone's notably veteran-heavy lineup. Who has risen to the challenge early on in preseason and who still has some maturing to do?

+ The annual NBA general managers poll was released this week. Where does Nikola Jokic rank according to the GMs? Is Jamal Murray now flirting with All-NBA status based on recent polls?

+ A remembrance of Brendan Malone, NBA legend and father of current head coach Michael Malone.

+ Is it Benny, Benito, Ben? And how do you even pronounce Durando in modern America?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Bennett Durando is joined by editor Matt Schubert to discuss the team's media day as well as the first couple days of training camp in San Diego. Among the topics discussed:

+ Is Jamal Murray making the right call betting on himself to make All-NBA team instead of signing an extension?

+ There was a flurry of trade activity just before the start of training camp. Who rules the NBA power rankings after big moves from Phoenix, Milwaukee and Boston, among others?

+ Beef? What beef? Can the Los Angeles Lakers spoil the Nuggets' banner ceremony ahead of their season-opening game at Ball Arena in Denver? The boys discuss what was said by whom leading to the pseudo-beef that has Laker Nation heated.

+ What is the most likely outcome of the point guard position after the departure of Bruce Brown to Indiana? Reggie Jackson hopes his first full season on the roster is his time to shine and an opportunity to prove why so many in Los Angeles Clippers land came to expect huge bailouts on clutch shots from the NBA veteran.

+ Is Christian Braun's newly minted beard the secret to a back-to-back title run through downtown Denver? How about Michael Porter Jr's new ink? That's gotta help.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, departing beat reporter Mike Singer is joined by editor Matt Schubert and new beat reporter Bennett Durando to discuss the passing of the torch, the Nuggets' return to form and the Western Conference pecking order. Among the topics discussed:

+ Is Jamal Murray betting on himself to make an All-Star team or All-NBA team before signing an extension? Is that the right decision?

+ With Bruce Brown off to Indiana to collect his bag, how will the Nuggets replace their malleable bench piece? Which of their three rookies is most likely to become a contributor in Year 1? Did the Nuggets make a mistake letting Jeff Green walk?

+ Nikola Jokic and Murray both elected to opt out of playing for their countries in the World Cup. No doubt that's welcome news for the Nuggets, but basketball heads around the world are disappointed.

+ The boys discuss the return of the Western Conference as the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers improve their rosters, while the Golden State Warriors remain a threat. Also, which young teams will rise? The Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder or Sacramento Kings?

+ As Mike departs, he reflects on his tenure covering five Nuggets seasons that saw them make the playoffs each year and eventually become NBA champions. What are some of his favorite memories on the beat?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Mike Singer is joined by sports editor Matt Schubert to discuss the first ever championship in Denver Nuggets history after a gritty 94-89 win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Among the topics covered:

+ Nikola Jokic. No jokes here. What is left to say about the 41st overall draft pick after one of the most dominant postseason runs in NBA history? Has he crept into the discussion as one of the league's top 20 players of all time? Just how long can he lead the Nuggets to title contention?

+ Schubert and Singer discuss the team's future, including that of key role player Bruce Brown. Will Brown stick around for a shot at another title? Or will he chase the big contract that would inevitably come his way in free agency?

+ What did an emotional Jamal Murray have to say in the wake of a career-altering postseason run? Did Michael Porter Jr. prove something with his gutty Game 5 performance?

+ Should the Denver faithful have booed Lisa Salters? Is Mike to blame?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Mike Singer is joined by sports reporter Bennett Durando to break down Game 3 of the NBA Finals and to discuss the remaining games in the series as the Nuggets hold a 2-1 lead over Miami.  Among the topics covered:

+ How impressive is the double triple-double posted by Nuggets star players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray?

+ Durando and Singer discuss the emergence of Christian Braun, who morphed into an offensive playmaker in Game 3. With 15 points in 17 minutes, has the young defensive hound proven himself as a legitimate piece on a title contender?

+ Durando and Singer also looks ahead to the Nuggets' pathway to securing the 2023 NBA title.