This week we invited Adam Mares, Site Manager for the Denver Stiffs, to join us to talk about Jusuf Nurkic, centers in the NBA and to prepare for the weekend doubleheader between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets.

:50 Jusuf Nurkic, we miss you, big fella.3:45 Thoughts from Adam, only empathy for the fans and best wishes to Nurkic for a full recovery from fans in Denver. 7:15 Where the Trail Blazer season stands right now9:10 Comparison to Wesley Matthews injury.11:45 What are the options for the Blazers moving forward? Collins will play more. When Paul Millsap was out almost all season in Denver, it was a growth opportunity for some of the players. 16:00 With Nicola Jokic as an example, how has the center position evolved in the last few years, or has it? There really is no prototypical center any more. 22:15 Blazers are not in a position to make any big decisions right now. 24:15 The character of the Trail Blazers is that Damian Lillard is loyal to his teammates. And now the team is playing well, it seems less likely they will make any big changes in the off season.26:15 How do the Nuggets go from missing the playoffs to fighting for the number one seed in the west?(27:15 But first a brief digression about Lonzo Ball and LeBron James)28:45 What is Jokic like as a leader? On the court, he truly loves the passing game. He is definitely the person they go to in the clutch.33:00 Locker room leader is tough to identify, in some ways it is the coach, Mike Malone. 35:15 Are there ways that The Blazers and the Nuggets are similar? Jamal Murray and Damian Lillard play in a similar way although Lillard is much better. Both Jokic and Nurkic are excellent passers. Lillard and the Trail Blazers have uncommonly good locker room chemistry.37:45 How is Denver going to fare in the playoffs?41:00 When game planning for and against Denver, what do you look at? 46:15 Find Adam at denverstiffs.com and @adam_mares

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