Nuggets Ink

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after a rough three-game stretch for Denver. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets lost a tough one against the Dallas Mavericks at home on Tuesday night in a game that went down the wire. What did we learn from that game and what we saw from the team?

+ Bones Hyland got an early hook from head coach Michael Malone in New Orleans on Sunday, but responded the next game against Dallas. What changed over those two nights? And what does Bones' response say about his development as a player?

+ The Nuggets' two-game road trip last weekend featured a pair of dispiriting losses in Atlanta and New Orleans, with Malone sticking to rotations despite his reserves' continued struggles. A few nights later, Malone responded by making changes on the wing (Christian Braun) and post (Zeke Nnaji). Is this a turning point for the rotation? And what insight can be gleaned from the changes made by Malone?

+ Michael Porter Jr. has now missed several games in a row with a foot injury. At what point does his extended absence start to be a concern?

+ Also .... Is Jamal Murray in a funk? Can Nikola Jokic start hitting 3-pointers again? And what do the holidays look like in the Singer household?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert are joined by NBA insider Burton Chawla to talk about Aaron Gordon's terrific start to the season. Among the topics discussed:

+ Aaron Gordon is playing some of the best basketball of his career, with near career highs across the board. What's changed for Gordon this season? What's he done to make him a more productive player? And what's his ceiling?

+ Jamal Murray went for 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting in Monday night's win over the Houston Rockets, playing perhaps his best offensive game since returning from ACL surgery. What was the most impressive thing about the performance? How soon will this become a regular thing again?

+ With injuries and illnesses piling up, Vlatko Cancar has suddenly cracked the rotation for the Nuggets and is thriving. Could this be a regular thing for the Nuggets and Cancar?

+ We also dig into a number of other rotation developments: Davon Reed taking Christian Braun's minutes, Zeke Nnaji seeing the floor with regularity and DeAndre Jordan popping in and out of the lineup.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver's miracle win over the Mavericks in Dallas. Among the topics discussed:

+ The short-handed Nuggets pulled off a stunning win over the Mavericks on Sunday night in a win that included a halfcourt heave from Vlatko Cančar and a breakout performance from Bones Hyland. Where does this win rank among the team's most improbable victories of the Michael Malone era? And what does it say about this team?

+ Bones Hyland went from one of his worst performances of the season to his best. What changed between last Friday and Sunday night? Does the performance serve as a path forward for Hyland in his journey toward stardom?

+ In the wake of his 31-point explosion in Chicago, Michael Porter Jr. submitted a pair of duds as soon as Nikola Jokic entered the lineup. Just a bad shooting stretch? Or is this another indication of how important Jokic and Jamal Murray are to setting up MPJ's offense?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver's 3-1 road trip across two time zones. Among the topics discussed:

+ Michael Porter Jr. bounced back in a big way in Chicago, responding from a subpar game in Boston with a 31-point smoke show in Chicago. What does that performance say about the young wing's growth as a player? Another sign of increased maturity for the team's third star?

+ The Nuggets have played an absolutely brutal schedule to start the season, with just four home games out of 13. And yet, they find themselves at the top of the Western Conference standings. Is this an indication the Nuggets are ready to meet the high expectations that have been set for them?

+ Despite some uneven play from DeAndre Jordan, backup big Zeke Nnaji still has yet to get a shot at a consistent role with the second unit. Is this something we can expect to see throughout the season? What's keeping from seeing the floor on a night-to-night basis?

+ In the second half of the podcast, Mike fields questions from listeners, including one who wants to know what the team can do to keep Bruce Brown in the fold long term.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver blasted the Spurs to move to 4-0 at Ball Arena. Among the topics discussed:

+ Bones Hyland played his best game of the season coming off the bench against San Antonio on Saturday night. What clicked for the second-year player? Can he keep up his red-hot 3-point shooting? What does his recent play mean for the second unit?

+ Michael Porter Jr. looks healthy and spry playing more than 28 minutes a night. Among the developments: MPJ is thriving alongside Hyland with the second unit. Why has that pairing worked as well as it has? Should the Nuggets consider bringing Porter off the bench as a super sixth man?

+ Jamal Murray finally had a moment on the road in Oklahoma City, including a reverse dunk that helped stem the tide in a game that nearly slipped away from the Nuggets. Are we at the point where Murray will shed the minutes restriction? Is Old Murray already back?

+ The Nuggets' defensive rating currently stands at 20th in the NBA, well short of the top-five rating head coach Michael Malone is hoping for. What's gone wrong? What can be improved? How much room is there for growth?

+ Nikola Jokic is averaging a little under 13 shots per game. Cause for concern? Or nothing to see here?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after Denver blasted the Lakers to move to 3-2 through five games.

Among the topics discussed:

+ Michael Porter Jr. missed his first game of the season with what the team called "lumbar management" and coach Michael Malone later clarified as a "back spasm." What's to be taken from the mixed messaging? Is this something to be concerned about? Or simply the team beginning its season-long management of a player with a checkered health history?

+ In MPJ's absence, Bruce Brown rained down 3s upon the Lakers, while doing a little bit of everything else along the way. Is Brown one of the bigger steals in free agency? Does his presence give the Nuggets insurance should they need to sit MPJ for extended periods of time?

+ Jamal Murray's return to the court has been up and down, with the team's starting point guard occasionally showing flashes on the offensive end, while simultaneously struggling on the defensive end. How long will it take Murray to work out the kinks on defense? What has he had to say about his inconsistent play to start the season?

It took roughly one half for Christian Braun to supplant Davon Reed as the first wing off the Nuggets bench. What are the early returns on the rookie? What's his ceiling? Should we expect him to make a nightly impact?

+ Are DNPs going to be a season-long thing for Zeke Nnaji? How long will Coach Malone continue to roll with DeAndre Jordan as the first big man off the bench?

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert discuss the season opener and Jamal Murray's return to the court. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets lost their season opener in a lackluster performance against the Utah Jazz. What were some of the positives that could be taken from the 123-102 setback? And some of the negatives? And how did Murray look in his first regular season game in 18 months?

+ Singer fields a handful of listener questions from Twitter, including: What's up with Zeke Nnaji not getting any minutes on opening night? Does coach Michael Malone need to adjust his message to the team? Can Bones Hyland average 20 points per game? Why doesn't Denver have a better plan offensively when Nikola Jokic isn't on the court? Will Ish Smith get more playing time?

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "Follow the Leader" The Trujillo Company

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene with the start of the regular season less than a week away. Among the topics discussed:

+ Nikola Jokic (wrist) and Jamal Murray (thigh) both sat out preseason games while nursing injuries. Reason for concern? Just the team being extra cautious? Does this say something about how the team will handle their star players' health this season?

+ The Nuggets won back-to-back preseason games, with Michael Porter Jr. looking lithe, Bruce Brown throwing down the defensive clamps and rookie Christian Brain doing a little bit of everything. What are the takeaways from the team's performances?

+ Looking to the season ahead, Singer decides whether or not he's buying or selling a handful of potential storylines for the Nuggets. Among them: Denver Nuggets, top five defense? Nikola Jokic, triple-double season? Bruce Brown, closing out games? Zeke Nnaji, breakout season? The title window is wide open?

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz

Music: "Follow the Leader" The Trujillo Company

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene following the Nuggets' first preseason game at Ball Arena. Among the topics discussed:

+ What are the first impressions of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. in their returns from long-term injuries? How long will it take the Nuggets to integrate the two stars back into their system? And just how much should be expected of them early on?

+ Which of the new additions to the roster have been the most impressive early on? Who looks primed to make the biggest impact? Is there a potential breakout player emerging on the Nuggets' bench?

+ It was revealed that that Nuggets and general manager Calvin Booth reached a long-term extension ahead of the 2022-23 season. What does that extension mean for the franchise, and how will it affect the day-to-day decision-making of the club?

+ Singer and Schubert close out the show with five burning questions, including a look at the team's over-under win total and where the Nuggets will end up in the Western Conference playoff seeding.

In a special edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast presented by Evoca TV, beat reporter Mike Singer is joined by journeyman point guard Ish Smith at the team's training camp in La Jolla, Calif., to discuss a myriad of topics.

An undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest in 2010, Smith has played for 12 teams during a winding NBA career. Smith talks about his journey through the NBA, what makes the Nuggets a special organization and how he modeled his game off watching J.J. Barea one night early in his career.

Smith's pass-first mentality extends beyond the game and has forged relationships for which he is known by teammates, coaches and front office personnel. After playing sparingly in his first six seasons, Smith still sees himself as a viable option with plenty of juice and minutes remaining in his reputable quick-twitch legs.