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?