Nuggets want to win it all for Nikola Jokić, and better defense is the only way: Amick
2 years, 2 months ago

Nuggets want to win it all for Nikola Jokić, and better defense is the only way: Amick

New York Times  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — You know how you can tell the Denver Nuggets didn’t live up to the lofty expectations of their longtime coach, Michael Malone? “First bus is leaving in three minutes!,” a member of the team’s support staff shouted not long after Malone’s team blew a 19-point lead in a 127-126 loss to the Kings on Wednesday night at the Golden 1 Center. In this Nuggets world where they have grand plans of contending for titles for the rest of Nikola Jokić’s remarkable prime, and where that night’s lackluster defensive effort sparked a familiar fury inside of Malone while overshadowing their climb to the top of the Western Conference in the past two weeks, Malone’s choice to hop on that first bus out of town is always a clear sign he’s displeased. After Tim Connelly’s departure to Minnesota in May, Booth — the former NBA player who spent the previous five seasons as Denver’s assistant general manager — was elevated to the Nuggets’ top front office position.

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History of this topic

Nuggets have a shot at first 10-game win streak under coach Malone, but Lakers stand in the way
1 month ago

Nuggets have a shot at first 10-game win streak under coach Malone, but Lakers stand in the way

Associated Press  

DENVER — Michael Malone took a pragmatic stance on his team’s current nine-game winning streak. But there’s a lot to clean up.” Should Denver emerge victorious Saturday, it would mark the seventh 10-game win streak in franchise history. “We had a little bit luck with the schedule,” said Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP who’s in the midst of one of …

Sixers’ next steps, Nuggets’ MVP connection and more NBA trends I’m watching
2 months, 1 week ago

Sixers’ next steps, Nuggets’ MVP connection and more NBA trends I’m watching

New York Times  

A once-hopeful contender is wallowing. Let’s open up the notebook to run through three NBA trends that have caught my eye over the past week: Coping in Philadelphia The most Philadelphian moment in history occurred Tuesday night. Never before has a team used Powell this way, scuttling him around this many screens away from the basketball, and it’s working on …

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic sidelined for game against Celtics due to illness
Trending News
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic sidelined for game against Celtics due to illness

Associated Press  

DENVER — Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic was sidelined for Denver’s clash with Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night because of an illness. “He wasn’t feeling great yesterday, and that has only gotten worse today, which is unfortunate,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said before the game. Malone said it’s difficult to insert another player in Jokic’s place …

Jokic leads the Nuggets to a 122-103 win over the Jazz
Trending News
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Jokic leads the Nuggets to a 122-103 win over the Jazz

Associated Press  

SALT LAKE CITY — Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 122-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Jokic scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the first quarter alone to rally Denver from an early 12-point deficit. Jamal Murray added 22 points, eight assists and four steals …

Without Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets have looked alarmingly helpless
4 months, 1 week ago

Without Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets have looked alarmingly helpless

New York Times  

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If you take a superstar away from a team, it is natural to assume that team won’t operate at maximum efficiency, particularly on the offensive end. Still, watching the Denver Nuggets struggle offensively without Nikola Jokić has been alarming, even knowing how much the best player in basketball means to their bottom line. Without Jokić, the Nuggets …

Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray had a moment, but the Nuggets are still finding themselves
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray had a moment, but the Nuggets are still finding themselves

New York Times  

TORONTO — It had all the trappings of another play in a long highlight reel of beautiful Nikola Jokić–Jamal Murray moments. With the Nuggets down 2 on Monday, Murray threw an entry pass to Jokić and came screaming around the big man’s back, taking a handoff and forcing a switch from the Toronto Raptors. Murray’s entry pass to Jokić left …

Nikola Jokić, Nuggets aren’t panicking, but issues are piling up: ‘Not the start we wanted’
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Nikola Jokić, Nuggets aren’t panicking, but issues are piling up: ‘Not the start we wanted’

New York Times  

DENVER — The Denver Nuggets aren’t panicking. When the Denver players, coach Michael Malone and his staff pore over the video from the first two games of the season, their biggest challenge is figuring out what’s real and what can be easily fixed. Even if the Nuggets get a win in Toronto and in Brooklyn, those would be wins against …

Nuggets’ shooting and depth concerns loom large after opening loss to Thunder
5 months ago

Nuggets’ shooting and depth concerns loom large after opening loss to Thunder

New York Times  

DENVER — For as great a basketball player as he is, Nikola Jokić will never be known as great a media soundbite. All of us are kind of streaky, not streaky, but just average shooters.”#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/bOH2TeRdEv — DNVR Nuggets October 25, 2024 If Denver goes on to win its customary 50-55 games this season, and if the Nuggets go on …

Nuggets Add Russell Westbrook to Chase Championship Window
5 months, 1 week ago

Nuggets Add Russell Westbrook to Chase Championship Window

Associated Press  

The Denver Nuggets are adding veteran point guard Russell Westbrook to their roster to help fill the void left by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Nuggets believe that Westbrook's experience and shooting ability can add some spark to their offense, even in a backup role. The team also adds Dario Saric, a power forward/center who could provide some much-needed scoring and rebounding. …

Anthony Edwards on Game 7 vs. Nuggets: ‘We feel like we’re just the better team’
10 months, 1 week ago

Anthony Edwards on Game 7 vs. Nuggets: ‘We feel like we’re just the better team’

New York Times  

DENVER — The refreshing thing about Anthony Edwards — one of many, really — is that he says what’s on his mind. So when Edwards was asked about his team’s state of mind heading into Sunday’s Game 7 at Ball Arena, and whether the Timberwolves’ ability to take those first two games in that same building to start the series …

How Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves defense got shredded by Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić
10 months, 1 week ago

How Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves defense got shredded by Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić

New York Times  

DENVER — Rudy Gobert looked helpless out there. A 16-point third quarter 🃏 35 PTS / 5 REB / 12 AST pic.twitter.com/xIaGX1aeAC — Denver Nuggets May 15, 2024 Jokić put up 40 points on 22 shots, racked up 13 assists and did not turn the ball over once in Denver’s 112-97 victory over the Timberwolves that gave the Nuggets a …

Nikola Jokić reminds us why he keeps winning MVPs as the Nuggets remind us they’re still champs
10 months, 1 week ago

Nikola Jokić reminds us why he keeps winning MVPs as the Nuggets remind us they’re still champs

New York Times  

DENVER — There is a classic scene in the classic movie “The Great White Hype” that serves as the perfect metaphor for what the Denver Nuggets are doing to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the first two games of this series, Minnesota threw the overhand right and knocked the Denver Nuggets woozy. After Tuesday night’s 112-97 win in Game 5 over …

Nuggets need to bring more intensity, and it starts with Nikola Jokić
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Nuggets need to bring more intensity, and it starts with Nikola Jokić

New York Times  

DENVER — A few minutes after seeing their season reach a brink nobody could have anticipated, the Denver Nuggets sat in their respective locker room stalls and allowed an overwhelming silence to speak for them. It wasn’t that the Nuggets shot 34.9 percent from the field or had as many turnovers as assists, despite the absence of likely Defensive Player …

Nuggets coach Michael Malone: defense of NBA title won’t get any easier against Wolves in Round 2
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Nuggets coach Michael Malone: defense of NBA title won’t get any easier against Wolves in Round 2

Associated Press  

DENVER — Sending LeBron James to his earliest playoff exit was harder than it looked, and Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone doesn’t foresee the next step in their title defense getting any easier. “They’re not an easy out,” Malone said after Jamal Murray’s second game-winner of the series gave Denver a 108-106 win over the Lakers in Game 5 Monday …

For Nuggets, the Aaron Gordon trade is the steal that keeps on giving
11 months ago

For Nuggets, the Aaron Gordon trade is the steal that keeps on giving

New York Times  

LOS ANGELES — The trade that sent the Denver Nuggets to this other dimension as a basketball team was widely lauded at the time. Still, the Nuggets’ deal to acquire Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic a little over three years ago has worked out better than imagined. In a Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers, a 112-105 Denver …

Denver Nuggets realize defending their NBA championship will be a tough task in improved West
11 months, 1 week ago

Denver Nuggets realize defending their NBA championship will be a tough task in improved West

Associated Press  

DENVER — The Denver Nuggets met coach Michael Malone’s challenge not to let up after winning the franchise’s first NBA title. “I’m most proud of the fact that as reigning world champion we haven’t been satisfied the whole year,” Malone said. There’s going to be eight really talented teams and there’s a number of teams that I wouldn’t be surprised …

The genius of Nikola Jokić and how he and Nuggets make it look easy
1 year ago

The genius of Nikola Jokić and how he and Nuggets make it look easy

New York Times  

Nikola Jokić is a genius. Aaron Gordon’s, Jamal Murray’s and the Nuggets’ ability to read and play off Jokić puts them over the top. Jokić sees that the paint is wide open and makes eye contact with Gordon, who slips the screen and receives a perfectly placed behind-the-back pass off the dribble. Against the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver gets Jerami …

In possible NBA Finals preview, Nuggets hand Celtics first home loss of the season
1 year, 2 months ago

In possible NBA Finals preview, Nuggets hand Celtics first home loss of the season

New York Times  

BOSTON — The impetus for the biggest win of the season started on the heels of a loss. They didn’t let that repeat itself in a week that included the tragic and sudden passing of Golden State Warriors assistant Dejan Milojević, who coached Nuggets star center Nikola Jokić in Serbia. “The last couple of days, we’ve just been supporting him, …

Nuggets start strong thanks to focus on future, not past: ‘No championship hangover’
1 year, 4 months ago

Nuggets start strong thanks to focus on future, not past: ‘No championship hangover’

New York Times  

DENVER — The Denver Nuggets were never demonstrative with the desire to repeat, but they were never subtle about it either. “I think we’re playing a very effective brand of basketball,” Denver head coach Michael Malone said. “We played with more energy, and that’s what I was most happy about.” Because of the talent in the Western Conference, the regular …

NBA: Nuggets celebrates first championship with banner, rings and 119-107 win over Lakers
1 year, 5 months ago

NBA: Nuggets celebrates first championship with banner, rings and 119-107 win over Lakers

The Hindu  

The bling and the banner were nice. What the Denver Nuggets really relished, though, was opening defense of the franchise’s first NBA title with a 119-107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. “We can’t think about last year too much,” Jamal Murray said after the Nuggets followed the raising of their championship banner by dropping the hammer …

Nuggets offseason: Breaking down intrigue and concerns surrounding the champs
1 year, 8 months ago

Nuggets offseason: Breaking down intrigue and concerns surrounding the champs

New York Times  

For the Denver Nuggets, and for most of the NBA, the offseason is over. The good news for Nuggets fans is that, as the playoffs proved, Denver wasn’t just the best team in the NBA last season; the Nuggets were the best team in the NBA by far. Murray and Gordon played the best basketball of their respective careers in …

Nuggets try to avoid letdown with 1 win to go for team's first title
1 year, 9 months ago

Nuggets try to avoid letdown with 1 win to go for team's first title

China Daily  

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. talks with head coach Michael Malone against the Miami Heat during the third quarter in game one of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena, Denver, CO, USA, June 1, 2023. "My biggest concern going into any close-out game is human nature and fighting against that," coach Michael Malone said Sunday after practice. Malone's …

Behind the scenes at NBA Finals: Nuggets’ Game 3 win a referendum on star-chasing, plus more
1 year, 9 months ago

Behind the scenes at NBA Finals: Nuggets’ Game 3 win a referendum on star-chasing, plus more

New York Times  

MIAMI — My final thoughts and observations from Game 3 of the NBA Finals, which saw the Nuggets take a 2-1 series lead over the Heat with a 109-94 win … There may be nothing that NBA loyalists enjoy reading about more than a behind-the-scenes story on how their favorite team saved its season. “I think it’s the first time …

Nuggets coach Malone hammers home need for discipline
1 year, 9 months ago

Nuggets coach Malone hammers home need for discipline

The Hindu  

Denver coach Michael Malone doubled down on his demand that the Nuggets play with more discipline as they seek to regain the upper hand over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. “Our players owned it,” Malone said after the team trained in Miami ahead of Wednesday’s game three. They told me we weren’t disciplined enough.” Malone had already warned …

Nuggets coach says ‘We haven’t done a damn thing’ in NBA Finals
1 year, 9 months ago

Nuggets coach says ‘We haven’t done a damn thing’ in NBA Finals

The Hindu  

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone told his players on Saturday that they “haven’t done a damn thing” despite an opening-game romp over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. If we do those things at a better level, we’ll have a chance to win game two.” Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic added 10 rebounds and 14 assists while Murray …

Quiet man Jokic ready for crowning glory in NBA Finals
1 year, 9 months ago

Quiet man Jokic ready for crowning glory in NBA Finals

The Hindu  

Nikola Jokic can cap an improbable journey to the pinnacle of his sport by leading the Denver Nuggets to a first-ever championship when the NBA Finals get underway on Thursday. “He’s going to go down as one of the all-time great centers to ever touch a basketball,” was Kevin Durant’s verdict on Jokic after the Nuggets eliminated the Phoenix Suns …

Nuggets advance to first NBA Finals after sweeping Lakers; Jokić named WCF MVP
1 year, 10 months ago

Nuggets advance to first NBA Finals after sweeping Lakers; Jokić named WCF MVP

New York Times  

The Denver Nuggets will play in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history after completing a sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals Monday. ': Why the Nuggets' historic trip to the NBA Finals is a salve for 47 years of heartbreak Aaron Gordon helps secure Nuggets’ win The Nuggets don’t win this …

What Michael Malone and Jamal Murray tell us about Nuggets patience — like not trading Murray — paying off
1 year, 10 months ago

What Michael Malone and Jamal Murray tell us about Nuggets patience — like not trading Murray — paying off

New York Times  

LOS ANGELES — Michael Malone will never forgive the organizational impatience that undercut his Sacramento Kings back in mid-December 2014. These were the musings that came to mind in the wake of the Nuggets’ Game 3 win, and they were the basis of conversations with Malone and Murray afterward. On Murray, who had 37 points, seven rebounds and six assists …

The anti-super teams: Nuggets, like Heat, refreshing reminder titles can be won by collectives
1 year, 10 months ago

The anti-super teams: Nuggets, like Heat, refreshing reminder titles can be won by collectives

New York Times  

Nikola Jokić was in search of a way to describe the special vibe his Nuggets had in Game 3. Indeed, infectious is a great way to describe the Nuggets’ performance in their 119-108 win over the Lakers in Game 3. Murray had 30 in the first half, yet after Anthony Davis split the free throws following Jokić’s fourth foul, the …

NBA: Nuggets coach blasts ‘national narrative’ spotlighting Lakers
1 year, 10 months ago

NBA: Nuggets coach blasts ‘national narrative’ spotlighting Lakers

The Hindu  

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone thinks the world should wake up to the greatness of two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and his Nuggets teammates - who incidentally have a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals. “Whatever we can use for motivation,” Malone said after the Nuggets erased an 11-point deficit to beat …

Even when Nikola Jokić is dominant, doubts remain — but there should be no doubting his greatness anymore
1 year, 10 months ago

Even when Nikola Jokić is dominant, doubts remain — but there should be no doubting his greatness anymore

New York Times  

DENVER — The Nikola Jokić experience is never complete without a healthy dose of skepticism from someone with a media platform, so it came as no surprise that one of his longtime critics, FS1’s Nick Wright, was ready to scoff on social media just as Denver’s 132-126 Game 1 win over the Lakers came to an end in the West …

Nuggets find their championship blueprint. Now they have to stick with it
1 year, 10 months ago

Nuggets find their championship blueprint. Now they have to stick with it

New York Times  

DENVER — Nikola Jokić turned and hit his now-famous one-legged stepback over Anthony Davis, a shot Dirk Nowitzki first made popular, for a 3-pointer to end the third quarter. And they will see the version of themselves that allowed Davis to go off for 40 points, James to play fantastic on his way to a near triple-double, and the one …

NBA: Denver Nuggets focused on vanquishing LeBron James and Lakers, not ghosts of the past
1 year, 10 months ago

NBA: Denver Nuggets focused on vanquishing LeBron James and Lakers, not ghosts of the past

The Hindu  

If the Denver Nuggets can continue its dominance at Ball Arena, it will not only conquer LeBron James and Anthony Davis but it will also vanquish the ghost of its horrendous playoff performances against the Los Angeles Lakers. “Their crowd is going to be on the edge of their seats, standing, stomping, screaming.” After a spirited practice Monday, Nuggets coach …

Lakers vs. Nuggets: What scouts expect in Western Conference finals
1 year, 10 months ago

Lakers vs. Nuggets: What scouts expect in Western Conference finals

LA Times  

Aaron Gordon can guard LeBron to some degree, as much as anyone can. 1 on the perimeter be it Austin Reaves or D’Angelo Russell, and Michael Porter Jr. has improved defensively; they don’t have to hide him as much, which allows them to put Jamal wherever they really want to conserve some energy. Let him go one on one and …

Are Nuggets in trouble after losing two straight to Suns? Not yet, but they need some fixes
1 year, 10 months ago

Are Nuggets in trouble after losing two straight to Suns? Not yet, but they need some fixes

New York Times  

PHOENIX — The Denver Nuggets aren’t in real trouble yet. A 129-124 loss in Sunday night’s Game 4, combined with Friday night’s loss in Game 3 exposed some things to Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and his team that clearly need adjusting, and maybe even overhauling. We have to have a much better urgency on the defensive end.” The defense, …

Nikola Jokić’s passing and the warning given to all new Nuggets players: Keep your hands up
1 year, 10 months ago

Nikola Jokić’s passing and the warning given to all new Nuggets players: Keep your hands up

New York Times  

DENVER — Austin Rivers and Bruce Brown came to the Denver Nuggets at different times, but they both had the same first-day experience with the organization. He will even throw a no-look when you are in the corner, too.” Assistant head coach David Adelman said that’s why the Nuggets coaching staff always plants that “keep-your-hands-ready” seed with new arrivals. Then …

NBA: Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic stings Hornets again
2 years, 1 month ago

NBA: Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic stings Hornets again

The Hindu  

Denver’s Nikola Jokic turned in a triple-double with 30 points in another big game against the Charlotte Hornets as the visiting Nuggets won 119-105 on Saturday night. Denver’s dominance in the lane was also evident from a 51-37 rebounding edge as the Hornets played their second game since trading center Mason Plumlee to the Los Angeles Clippers. Smith scored six …

Nuggets looks to regain form against struggling Hornets
2 years, 1 month ago

Nuggets looks to regain form against struggling Hornets

The Hindu  

The Denver Nuggets want more energy to avoid another disappointing result. The Nuggets began a three-game road trip with a 115-104 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday despite Aaron Gordon’s season-high 37 points. “They turned up their aggressiveness physicality, and we never responded,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “The message was simple at halftime: We’re not playing hard enough.” …

Nikola Jokić is amazing (again), but Jamal Murray’s journey is key for Nuggets’ title hopes
2 years, 2 months ago

Nikola Jokić is amazing (again), but Jamal Murray’s journey is key for Nuggets’ title hopes

New York Times  

DENVER — If all you heard were Jamal Murray’s postgame pontifications on Wednesday night, when the Denver Nuggets guard who spent all of last season recovering from a torn ACL hit big shots down the stretch in a 122-118 win over Minnesota, you might think his confidence was at an all-time high. Two nights later against Indiana, when Jokić didn’t …

Nuggets big man Jokic rises from 41st pick to 2-time NBA MVP
2 years, 10 months ago

Nuggets big man Jokic rises from 41st pick to 2-time NBA MVP

Associated Press  

DENVER — To think, Nikola Jokic’s entry into the NBA was once overshadowed by the introduction of the “quesarito.” “Hopefully, I’m going to have some percentage from Taco Bell,” joked the Denver Nuggets’ newly minted two-time MVP, whose name scrolled across the TV screen during the 2014 draft while the fast-food chain aired a commercial for its new product. Hopefully, …

In Joel Embiid-Nikola Jokic clash, Nuggets edge Sixers as Philly’s defense and bench struggle
3 years ago

In Joel Embiid-Nikola Jokic clash, Nuggets edge Sixers as Philly’s defense and bench struggle

New York Times  

Sixers center Joel Embiid was asked a question after Monday night’s game, one based on the obvious pregame storyline: Did he feel like he proved anything by scoring 34 points against Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets on Monday night? James Harden on the Sixers’ porous transition defense: “We got to get our ass back on defense. It’s really hurt us… …

The inside story of the lineup decision two years ago that changed the trajectory of the Nuggets’ franchise
6 years, 3 months ago

The inside story of the lineup decision two years ago that changed the trajectory of the Nuggets’ franchise

New York Times  

Months before he made the decision that helped change the trajectory of the Nuggets’ franchise, Michael Malone began conducting an experiment inside a largely empty NBA arena. “We figured, ‘Hey, let’s try a couple things and see how it looks.’ One of those things was trying Jusuf and Nikola together, big ball, which the NBA was going away from,” Malone …

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