Nuggets Ink

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Mike Singer is joined by sports reporter Bennett Durando to break down Game 1 of the NBA Finals and preview Game 2 between the Nuggets and Heat. Among the topics covered:

+ How did the Nuggets fare against the Heat's famed zone defense? Can Denver again stifle Miami's offense, which saw star Jimmy Butler struggle despite a terrorizing run through the Eastern Conference Playoffs?

+ Durando and Singer are joined by Broncos beat reporter Parker Gabriel, who weighs in on the sights and sounds of Ball Arena, which like Los Angeles' Crytpto.com Arena, was filled to the brim with local celebrities including Peyton Manning, Sean Payton and Ken Jeong.

+ The trio look ahead at the likelihood that the Nuggets have already faced their toughest foe in the second round, the Phoenix Suns, much like their local NHL counterparts the Colorado Avalanche, who faced their stiffest competition in round two against the St. Louis Blues in last season's Stanley Cup Playoffs in a run that resulted in the Avs hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Mike Singer is joined by sports reporter Bennett Durando to break down the biggest win in Denver Nuggets history:

+ Mike and Bennett share scenes from the floor and inside the locker room as the Nuggets celebrated their first trip to the NBA Finals after a sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers

+ Why Mike’s Western Conference Finals MVP vote swung from Jamal Murray to Nikola Jokic during the course of Game 4. (And which is the defining Jokic moment of the close-out game: his circus 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter or his game-winning Euro step through Anthony Davis?)

+ While LeBron James’ 20th season ends with a vintage 40-point performance that wasn’t quite enough, Denver’s trip to the NBA Finals guarantees new blood this year at the end of the road. Who will it be: Jokic or Jimmy Butler? (Or Jayson Tatum, but not really.) A brief look ahead.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Mike Singer is joined by sports reporter Bennett Durando to break down the first two games of the Western Conference Finals and preview Game 3 between the Nuggets and Lakers. Among the topics covered:

+ Michael Malone is raising the political spice level against the national "narrative." The latest domino to fall in Denver's war on ESPN was Lisa Salters' comment about not previously covering Nikola Jokic. Mike Singer shares his thoughts on the Nuggets' fight for "respect," even with a 2-0 series lead. And on the topic of fighting words, what to make of Bruce Brown's comments about D'Angelo Russell?

+ Durando and Singer marvel at the timing of Jamal Murray's electrifying fourth quarter and discuss the importance of Denver's transition game as the series moves to Los Angeles. Was altitude actually a problem for LeBron James and the Lakers in crunch time of Game 2?

+ What adjustments will the Nuggets make to try stealing a win in Los Angeles? Brown and Michael Porter Jr. played the fourth quarter of Game 2 instead of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. How will Malone handle his lineups if the next clash comes down to the wire again?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat reporter Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert are joined by sports reporter Bennett Durando ahead of the Western Conference Finals. Among the topics discussed:

+ Back from his first week as a dad, Mike Singer shares his thoughts on fatherhood, what he missed after the Nuggets dispatched the Phoenix Suns in six games and Nikola Jokic's personal shout-out after Game 3.

+ Durando reflects on the scene for the Game 6 closeout in Phoenix and his impressions as a newcomer to the Nuggets locker room environment in the postseason. And what exactly was it that he said that make Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic chuckle?

+ With a Nuggets-Lakers matchup now set in stone for the Western Conference Finals, the fellas dig into the matchups and what makes this series more challenging for Denver than the others. Can Aaron Gordon continue his defensive mastery against LeBron James? Is Jamal Murray set to have another big series against a less talented Lakers backcourt? And how will Denver deploy Jokic against against Anthony Davis? Will the Lakers' depth pose a problem?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, deputy sports editor Matt Schubert is joined by sports reporter Parker Gabriel after the Nuggets lost a pair of games in Phoenix to even up their Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2. Among the topics discussed:

+ With Nuggets beat writer Mike Singer out on newborn baby duty, Matt and Parker break down a classic Game 4 in what's already been a fantastic four-game series.

+ Somehow, the biggest story to come out of Game 4 wasn't even what happened on the court. Instead, much of the focus was on an incident involving Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Suns owner Matt Ishbia that saw the two make contact with each other and Jokic get assessed a technical foul. What happened? What was the tenor postgame? And who's ultimately to blame for what happened courtside?

+ On the court, Jokic submitted an all-time masterpiece with 53 points and 11 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the dual brilliance of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant combined with better bench production from the Suns. What can the Nuggets do to slow down the Suns' stars?

+ Four games into the series, a clear theme is emerging: The home team's reserves have played better than their road counterparts each game. Is that something to expect going forward? Which team is more likely to steal a game on the road?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after the Nuggets took a 2-0 lead on the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. Among the topics discussed:

+ Nikola Jokic, the MVP who wasn't, carried the Nuggets in Game 2 against the Suns with a 39-point masterpiece. Mike and Matt discuss the Joker's big game, coming on the eve of his runner-up finish to Joel Embiid in the NBA MVP race.

+ With Michael Porter Jr. struggling from the field, head coach Michael Malone opted to bench the Nuggets' sharpshooter. A one-off in a defensive slugfest? Or a sign of things to come in this playoff run?

+ Kevin Durant and Devin Booker struggled to keep the paper-thin Suns roster afloat in the first two games, especially the former. What are the Nuggets doing defensively to limit the Suns' superstar duo?

+ On the other side of the bracket, the Warriors and Lakers are getting ready for a knock-down, drag-out series. Who is the better matchup for the Nuggets?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after the Nuggets eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round to set up a showdown with the Phoenix Suns. Among the topics discussed:

+ Don't call him Bubble Jamal. That's Playoff Jamal to you. Jamal Murray once again rose to the occasion under the bright lights of the NBA Playoffs. Nikola Jokic called him the best player in the series against Minnesota. If this is the Murray the Nuggets get all postseason, is it time to start planning the championship parade?

+ Up next is the Phoenix Suns and their star-driven, yet thin lineup led by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul. What advantages can the Nuggets exploit in this series? Which team has the better starting five? How much will the Nuggets' relative depth advantage play a role?

+ Nothing has been decided on the other side of the bracket, where Lakers-Grizzlies and Warriors-Kings are now headed for Game 6s. Of the four teams on the other side of the bracket, who do you fear the most if you're the Nuggets?

+ Out East, all heck is breaking loose. Yes, it's all coming up Nuggets, folks.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after the Nuggets put the smackdown on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their first-round series. Among the topics discussed:

+ Denver absolutely manhandled Minnesota without even getting an A-plus game from superstar center Nikola Jokic. What does this say about the T-Wolves' chances? Will Jokic be held below 20 points again in this series?

+ Jamal Murray got his playoff legs in the second half after a slow start in Game 1. What did Murray have to say about the game afterward? What does this mean for the Nuggets going forward?

+ Christian Braun is already flexing his muscle as a playoff irritant, gutting under Kyle Anderson's skin in the waning moments of Sunday night's blowout. Singer gives his thoughts on the dust-up and what makes Braun such a nuisance for opposing teams.

+ Singer and Schubert react to the opening three days of the NBA playoffs, as things appear to be breaking the Nuggets' way to start.

+ iTunes reviews!!!

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer is joined by longtime NBA journalist Howard Beck days before the start of the playoffs. Among the topics discussed:

+ Are the Nuggets legit NBA title contenders? What are their vulnerabilities? What are outsiders underestimating about the team with the top record in the Western Conference? And why does it feel like they are being overlooked?

+ What is the national perception of Jamal Murray two years removed from tearing his ACL in the Bay Area? Is he a worthy No. 2 on a team that has expectations of chasing the NBA title?

+ Mike and Howard talk about a deep dive Howard did on Nikola Jokic prior to him hitting superstardom back in 2017, when the two sat down for lunch together in downtown Denver. What has changed about Jokic over time?

+ How much does the noise factor into the MVP race? Has Jokic done himself a disservice by not lobbying more for the award?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert are joined by ESPN NBA reporter Ohm Youngmisuk in the wake of the Nuggets-76ers showdown that wasn't. Among the topics discussed:

+ The much-anticipated face-off between MVP front-runners Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid turned out to be a dud, with Embiid unable to play due to a calf injury. What impact does Embiid's DNP have on the MVP race? Is the award now Jokic's to lose? Or will this come down to how things shake out over the next two weeks?

+ The MVP debate has become increasingly toxic in recent weeks — a development that appears to be grating on both Jokic and Embiid. Do both players care more about winning the award than they let on?

+ The Western Conference standings remain incredibly tight below the top three seeds. Which teams do the Nuggets want to avoid most in the first round? Should Denver really want to avoid the Lakers? Can the Mavs get it together soon enough to be a threat? Is Golden State still a juggernaut to be feared?

+ What is the trust level with the Nuggets in the postseason? And who can coach Michael Malone trust come playoff time?