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I pick Matt's brain on some of the major ongoing themes this season within the NBA and society as a whole. One of those themes being the GMs forming an association to support high ranking executives in situations such as the one Portland is going through at this time. 

Matt and I also discuss the Bol Bol phenomenon and where we gage this team is truly at, at this point in the season. 

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Graham works with athletes of all ages and across professional sports on mental skills training, with meditations and visualizations. Graham lends his expertise to the show to explain how deep the mental game goes in some of the most intense high pressure moments these NBA athletes experience. He speaks to the mental skills tools that players like Aaron Gordon, Ben Simmons, and Zach LaVine practice regularly and how the greatest players lean into their greatest fears. 

https://trainthemind.com 

@Grahamtheguide

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This episode was recorded prior to the news of Nikola's one game suspension.

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Aniello was the perfect guest for this episode because he has great style and in this episode Jena and Aniello take a look at the newly released, city edition uniforms for the 2021-2022 season. The pair cover all the categories including: sickest, ugliest, best representation of the city, biggest risk gone right and wrong and laziest designs. And of course, their thoughts on the Nuggets jersey and latest games. 

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Catch an overview of game 1 and look ahed to game 2 .

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With Jamal out indefinitely, Jena and Reilly discuss the gravity of the loss to this team’s expectations for this season. It was just last week when the Nuggets were on an 8 game winning streak and feeling invincible and today couldn't feel further from that feeling. There were a lot of different angle to discuss in regards to Jamal’s injury, including the constant pressure on players to play in nationally televised game, a dilemma Jena and Reilly could not agree on.

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There was plenty of takeaways to talk about now that Aaron Gordon is playing "meaningful basketball" every night and "getting the easiest buckets of his career," including; the impact on MPJ's game, the offense blooming, Jokic dominating and Jerami Grant trying to prove a point. It is a fun time to be a Denver Nuggets fan.

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It is a positive episode with your weekly dose of bickering, advice and wild takes that can span from Facundo Campazzo not being that good for this team to Bol Bol needing more minutes.

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Not that there isn't a ton to celebrate, this team does have an MVP candidate that continues to perform at a high level night in and night out. But with the trade deadline coming to a close Thursday, Jena and Reilly wonder what trade could improve this team and help them reach their championship aspirations. And that is how a wild game of would you rather breaks out in this episode. Check it out and enjoy!

There is honestly so many topics covered your are really going to have to listen to it to know everything.

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The Nuggets also playing better as of late, closing out the first half of the season with a four game winning streak and beginning to look like they have found a better fit for Michael Porter’s talents. Reilly and Jena talk about the key factors they believe the Nuggets need to reach the top tier of teams in the NBA. They discuss trade options that would best improve this team and take them to that next level, not that either is convinced the Nuggets will make a move at the deadline. And while Jena believes that championship team is centered around Nikola Jokic you will have to check out the pod to find out who Reilly thinks is the player to build around in the coming future.

They debate the toughest upcoming matchups on Denver’s schedule heading into the trade deadline. Let’s just hope its a better deadline than getting rid of Malik Beasley and the basketball boy next door, Juancho Hernangomez for a handful of guys none of us can name and who didn’t make the team better.

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Jena and Reilly give you a unique set of takeaways from Milwaukee and Chicago and of course Reilly had to eat some crow on her Jamal Murray takes. And each host speaks to this recent resurgence of the team and what has been going well over the last couple of games, while remembering that this team just lost to the Wizards for a second time and to the Kings three times this year. And there was a short detour in the pod where Jena explores the Reilly’s obvious lack of knowledge around former Rockies players. In fact, this pod is not just for avid Nuggets fans but a good laugh for Rockies fans as well.

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• The final play
• Poor execution leading up to the closing minutes
• A bad night for almost everyone, from Will Barton and Nikola Jokic to Vlatko Cancar and Monte Morris

Then, they talk about the end of an era at Denver Stiffs, with the podcast network drastically changing.

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Then, Ryan talks Nuggets, including how Denver must approach their final six games of the first half schedule and Tuesday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers:

• More minutes for Jamal Murray at shooting guard next to a point guard facilitator
• More minutes for Michael Porter Jr. at power forward next to Nikola Jokić
• Keys to limiting Damian Lillard and the Blazers

...and much more!

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• What was the most impressive aspect of the 50 points?
• Was this more or less impressive than what "Bubble Jamal" could do?
• Is Jamal Murray fully back? Did he ever leave?

Then, Ryan and Jena spend some time discussing other parts of the game, from Nikola Jokić's birthday performance, to a solid Michael Porter Jr. game overall, to some general thoughts about the Nuggets in the short and long term.

• What should Denver's goal be this season?
• Has Porter shown enough to earn confidence?
• How hard should the Nuggets push for wins given the condensed season?

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Then, they talk about Denver's current situation. How far does Michael Porter Jr. have to go? What more can Nikola Jokić even do? Where can the Nuggets squeeze more potential out of their roster for wins? Litigating Facundo Campazzo's minutes.

All of that and more on the latest crossover episode between Locked On Nuggets and The Denver Stiffs Show.

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He then breaks down the lineup data of the first 26 games of the season, including takeaways from different groupings, how the Murray-Porter-Jokić trio is doing, and how to build out the rotation when everyone's healthy again.

Finally, Ryan discusses the last 10 games of the first half of the regular season. Two separate four-game road trips with games against Portland and Washington in between. What Nuggets fans should expect and how the Nuggets can finish the first half strong.

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• Michael Porter Jr. gets back on track
• Starting unit appears cohesive
• Zeke Nnaji and R.J. Hampton captain the excitement from the bench unit

Then, Ryan breaks down where the Nuggets currently stand as a team:

• Denver's path to this point in the year
• Evaluating Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
• What changes the Nuggets might make to recover and become a top 4 seed

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• Will Barton's Jekyll and Hyde game capped off by a factor he simply can't control
• Jamal Murray's tough night offensively
• Nikola Jokić once again receiving limited help
• The defense making sure none of Denver's offensive positives mattered
• How to handle Michael Porter Jr. at this stage
• Can Denver fix anything right now?

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• Why are the Los Angeles Lakers such a bad matchup for the Denver Nuggets?

• Why are the Sacramento kings so hard for them to beat?

Can the Nuggets turn it around on an upcoming homestand

• What do you do to try and stop Giannis Antetokounmpo?

• What’s an acceptable record on this four game home stand?

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• Why was the first half so good?
• Why was the second half a tire fire?
• Is Michael Porter Jr. ready to impact this matchup? No.
• Do the Nuggets need to prepare MPJ for impacting this matchup? Yes.

All of that and more on this episode of The Denver Stiffs Show.

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On this episode, The Action Network’s Senior NBA writer Matt Moore looks to challenge the reigning champ of Garbage Takes, the owner of the Bayless Award, and leader of the stiffest, Ryan Blackburn. Ryan has held the record for longest back to back wins. In the first episode he destroyed one of his newest employees without a second thought and in the second he his own Jedi master, leveling up to full Darth status. Ryan has had good competition but tonight he headed into the ring as the underdog. Matt Moore of the Action network has been covering basketball for the last 20 years while Ryan is barely 20 years old.

This battle was sprinkled with playful metaphors, dramatic twists you would never expect and a lot of sports talk. The crew tackles 5 controversial topics from the NBA and a surprise Super Bowl question, are thrown into the ring in this one, including; LeBron vs. Jokic, trade talk and MPJ.

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Ryan then shares his general thoughts on teams around the NBA, focusing in on record, net rating, and even how the bottom of the standings might impact the top some time soon. This includes Bradley Beal trade discussion and the Aaron Gordon ankle injury.

Finally, Denver shares his thoughts about Nikola Jokić and his MVP candidacy:

• Who are the biggest contenders for MVP?
• Why it should be Nikola Jokić
• Why on-off numbers matter less for Denver and Jokić than they do Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid
• What Jokić means to the Nuggets

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• What was the key to winning four games out on the road?

• Is Michael Porter Jr about to be a starter?

• Who has to step up with the injuries?

Getting ready for the road again and Jerami Grant’s return

• Did you expect this type of play from Grant this year? Why are the Detroit Pistons still not good?

• What are their chances against the Los Angeles Lakers?

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• Which former Nugget and former Bull does JaMychal Green remind Jeff of?
• Establishing an identity with the starting and bench units
• How the Nuggets should handle Paul Millsap's regression
• Incorporating Michael Porter Jr. into things

Then, the two share their thoughts on Porter, Jamal Murray, and Nikola Jokić and how the trio can figure things out together by invoking another former Big Three drafted by the same team: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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This week’s episode of Garbage Takes, hosted by Jena Garcia and featuring Ryan Blackburn and Zach Mikash, focused on the most interesting topics revolving around the Nuggets and their recent five-game winning streak. If you’re wondering if Malone will ever rest Jokic and Murray or if you think Jamal’s flagrant two was intentional you are going to want to hear these very stanky Garbage Takes!

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• Starters good in first quarter, sluggish in third quarter
• Bench picks up starting unit again in a win
• When will Michael Porter Jr. be reinserted into the starting unit to help out Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić as scorers?
• What are the ramifications of such a move with the bench unit?
• What to make of limited info from the PJ Dozier hamstring injury

That and more on this episode of Nuggets Numbers.

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• Are the Phoenix Suns not as good as their start? What were the differences this time around versus when these teams played each other a couple weeks ago?
• The difference Michael Porter Jr makes. Is it more to the Nugget advantage to have him come off the bench to start the game but then finish the game with the starters?

Finishing out the road trip

• Team you are more concerned about, the Miami Heat or the Dallas Mavericks? Should we be concerned at all given that both teams are dealing with some major roster issues? Should Luka Doncic still be the MVP favorite?
• How are the San Antonio Spurs still competitive? Are you worried that this could be a trap game particularly if Denver is 4-0 on the road trip to that point?

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• What led to the early deficit?
• Was this the best scoring of the season from Gary Harris and Will Barton?
• Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray looked great in crunch time
• What to make of Michael Porter Jr.'s return
• Have the Nuggets found their groove yet?

All of that and more in a Saturday episode of Nuggets Numbers.

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• Are the Phoenix Suns really the fourth best team in the West?
• How has Chris Paul changed the culture and expectations?
• What are the matchup advantages and disadvantages between both teams?
• Can Denver solve its biggest weakness before the playoffs begin?
• If the Suns and Nuggets matched up in the playoffs, which team would win?

All of that and more in the latest episode of The Denver Stiffs Show.

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• Which lineups have played the most? Which have been most or least successful?
• Which players play best next to Nikola Jokić? Who should play more?
• The combinations that should anchor Denver's starting and bench units

Then, Ryan discusses the eventual return of Michael Porter Jr. and how it should be handled:

• Is he a starter?
• Who comes off the bench?
• How can Denver help Porter succeed? How can Porter help Denver succeed?

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• Strong road trip ended in disappointment. The Denver Nuggets got some luck but then couldn’t finish strong against the Brooklyn Nets.
• Weekend games against the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz were a tale of two teams. After playing their most complete game of the season the Nuggets fall apart in the second half again and take another frustrating loss.
• Thoughts on the four team trade that sends James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets and Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets. How does it affect the Nuggets?

The Nuggets start to enter a tough portion of the schedule

• The Oklahoma City Thunder is the last easy game for a while. The Nuggets absolutely need to take care of business against a team they should beat no matter what their record says
• The Phoenix Suns remain legit but are going through some major COVID struggles. Will Michael Porter Jr be back for this game and how can he be the cure for what ails Denver?

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• Nikola Jokić is having an MVP caliber season and it's time to lead the charge
• Jamal Murray struggled shooting but did everything else
• Another (brief) start for Bol Bol
• Will Barton and PJ Dozier doing their thing
• Monte Morris and JaMychal Green leading the bench charge

All of that and more!

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• What to make of Cleveland and Indiana getting involved
• Did the Houston Rockets get enough of a return?
• What to make of Brooklyn's new Big Three of Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving

Then, they pivot to Denver Nuggets discussion:

• How does the Harden trade impact the Nuggets?
• What to make of the Michael Porter Jr. situation
• Will the Nuggets make a trade of their own?

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• Were the Nuggets lucky to catch the Philadelphia 76ers with only seven players? (yes)
• Were the Nuggets lucky to play a New York Knicks offense to help stabilize their defense? (yes)
• Did Denver accomplish what they needed to accomplish to get back on track? (yes)

Then, the 10-game breakdown, with numbers, inferences, concerns, and hope.

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• Jokić attempts 31 shots, garners just four assists
• Luka Doncic was excellent, and the Nuggets had nobody to stop him
• Is Denver's defense just plain bad? Is there more behind the struggles to begin the year?

Ryan also discusses the extended absence of Michael Porter Jr., according to The Athletic, that will prolong Porter's return to action for at least another 10 days.

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• Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray continue to impress
• Nuggets set season high for three-point attempts
• Facundo Campazzo and JaMychal Green made major contributions off the bench

Then, Ryan delves into the game on Tuesday night against the same T'Wolves team and discusses what's going on with the Nuggets on a macro level with Michael Porter Jr. still out while Gary Harris and Will Barton continue to struggle.

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• What was different about the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves vs the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns? Is it simply a matte of talent or was there something different about the way the Nuggets approached Sunday’s game?
• What’s the biggest issue facing Denver right now? How can they go about fixing it? Can they go about fixing it at all?

A very winnable 4 game stretch coming up

• What adjustments do you make considering you are seeing the exact same team back to back?
• Who is a more likely MVP candidate Luka Doncic or Nikola Jokic? Does Dallas have the right roster built around Luka to win at the highest level?
• Are you buying this hot start from the Philadelphia 76ers? Does the fact that both teams have the right players to match the other an advantage or disadvantage for the Nuggets?

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• Game notes, including great Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić chemistry
• The new guys need to get in gear, but it's important to give them some time to get there
• Why Gary Harris and Will Barton are in the second chance stage of their Nuggets tenure

...and much more.

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• MVP caliber performance from Nikola Jokić with 19 points, 18 assists, and 12 rebounds
• Jamal Murray getting the jump shot working again
• Gary Harris and Paul Millsap each had good games
• Michael Porter Jr. still has a lot to learn against top perimeter scorers
• Denver's staggered bench rotation
• Three things to monitor going forward

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• What happened in the losses to the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers? Why can’t Denver seem to stop anyone at the perimeter
• What’s the biggest issue facing Denver right now? Is Gary Harris able to be fixed or are we already at the point where he shouldn’t be starting
• How can they turn it around?

A very winnable 4 game stretch coming up

• What to predict from an entirely unpredictable Houston Rockets team? Where does the Rockets lack of player availability expose their roster?
• Who do you like more long term, the Phoenix Suns or Minnesota Timberwolves? Which team is better suited to matchup with the Nuggets and are either legitimate playoff contenders?
• What should Denver do different this time around against the Kings? Is it simply a matter of executing better down the stretch?

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• Foul trouble
• Jamal Murray's poor night
• Defensive contain and rebounding struggles
• Nikola Jokić's MVP caliber performance
• Michael Porter Jr.'s up and down night

And much more.

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• Which teams at the bottom will over and underperform?
• Disagreements on Minnesota, Phoenix, and the LA Clippers
• Where the Nuggets will finish in standings and record

Then, the two dive deeper into the Nuggets and make a variety of season predictions surrounding Denver's roster.

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• Do you think there is a competition for the starting small forward spot between Michael Porter Jr. and Will Barton?
• Most impressive newcomer? Is it going away Facundo Campazzo or do Isaiah Hartenstein and Zeke Nnaji?
• What’s up with the Portland Trail Blazers? Are they not a playoff threat?

The regular season is here

• Are the Sacramento Kings a playoff contender? Does Marvin Bagley have to break out for them to take the next step or is there someone else on the roster who can step up next to De’Aaron Fox
• Who will be the better team this season, the Nuggets or the Los Angeles Clippers? Are Serge Ibaka and Nicolas Batum and upgrade over Montrezl Harrell and JaMychal Green?
• How will you watch five straight games of basketball on Christmas?

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• Every player is good. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray look great
• Michael Porter Jr. is still balancing fitting in and shooting everything
• The starting lineup quandary and Will Barton's comments about starting
• Where is Bol Bol and will he get an extended opportunity to shine?
• The bench backcourt dilemma with Facundo Campazzo and P.J. Dozier

...and much more!

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In this episode, Jena hosts Ryan Blackburn and Gage Bridgford, two Stiffs that love to argue, in a debate of the following topics:

1. Is Giannis Antetokounmpo signing a super-max extension with the Milwaukee Bucks a good thing?
2. The biggest crutch for the Denver Nuggets this season
3. Which non-playoff team in the West is ready to make the leap?
4. Will Barton has no interest in coming off the bench. Should he be a starter?
5. Are the Portland Trail Blazers actually bad?

We hope you enjoy! Let us know how you like the new show!

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• Roster changes and varying roles
• How those players will affect Denver's play on both sides of the ball
• Projected Offensive, Defensive, and Net Rating

Then, Ryan answers some Twitter questions about a range of topics, including:

• James Harden for Michael Porter Jr.?
• Could Nikola Jokic win an MVP this year?
• Denver's best 2-man, 3-man, and 5-man units

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• Thoughts on Monte Morris’ new extension? How does he fit in next to Facundo Campazzo?
• Is the slow start from the starting group outside of Nikola Jokic a concern? Should they even bother playing Jokic any more minutes that don’t count?
• Does the bench unit have enough scoring? Who will the Nuggets have to turn to if Will Barton is still hurt?

The last two preseason games

• What is the main thing the Nuggets are trying to accomplish? Do you use this as a rehearsal or as a chance to get the younger guys some minutes?
• Is anyone fighting for a rotation spot? Where does Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier fit into the rotation?
• NBA Season predictions? Is Jokic an MVP candidate and can anyone knock off the Los Angeles Lakers?

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• Should Nikola Jokić rank higher than 10th overall? Does he have a case?
• Is Jamal Murray in the right spot at 21?
• What is there to make of Michael Porter Jr.'s 51st overall ranking?

Then, the three delve into training camp discuss and play "Real or Not Real" with the latest gossip:

• Is Michael Porter Jr. looking dominant something to watch?
• What to make of Facundo Campazzo and PJ Dozier
• Bol Bol hype!

Finally, they preview Saturday's game against the Golden State Warriors and predict the first starting lineup of the season.

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• The contract itself: three years, $27 million
• How Morris fits with the rest of the guard rotation
• What Denver's starting lineup and bench units may look like on Saturday in Denver's first preseason game.

On the Western Conference, the two discuss:

• Which teams at the bottom could make some noise in the playoff picture
• Did the Suns, Blazers, Warriors, Jazz, or Mavericks make enough improvements to pass Denver?
• Can the Nuggets still compete with the Lakers and Clippers without Jerami Grant?

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• Will Barton's comments on starting and whether he will get his wish
• The merits of offense versus defense next to Denver's stars
• The NBA schedule dropped; were the Nuggets snubbed?
• Nuggets training camp positional battles to watch, from Facundo Campazzo vs Monte Morris to Michael Porter Jr. vs Michael Porter Jr.

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• What Michael Malone, Monte Morris, and JaMychal Green have to say
• What to expect from the newest additions of the roster
• Which Nuggets are healthy, unhealthy, or absent
• What to make of Denver's backup point guard situation
• Will Michael Porter Jr. be the starting small forward from the outset?

All of that and more.

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• What we are thankful for
• Conducting a Fantasy Draft to create the perfect Thanksgiving table
• Who the fans predict will start on opening night
• Who Ryan, Zach, and Dan predict will start on opening night versus who SHOULD start

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• How impactful is the loss of Jerami Grant in the regular season versus the playoffs? Does JaMychal Green mitigate that?
• Isaiah Hartenstein and Zeke Nnaji as additions to the frontcourt
• RJ Hampton and Facundo Campazzo as additions to the backcourt
• What's up with Monte Morris and Will Barton now?
• How Denver's moves signal a larger role for Michael Porter Jr. and even Bol Bol in the upcoming season

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• Thoughts on Zeke Nnaji and RJ Hampton? Overall draft grade?
• How big of a shock was the Jerami Grant signing with the Detroit Pistons?
• Thoughts on how the Denver Nuggets rounded out the roster?

Looking towards the beginning of training camp

• Where are the weaknesses in Denver’s roster?
• Is there a trade you’d like to see before season start?
• Best guess at a rotation?

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• What is the worst case scenario?
• Jerami Grant's free agency status
• How the Nuggets plan to fill out the rest of their frontcourt
• A major Facundo Campazzo rumor
• Monte Morris and Will Barton and their futures in Denver
• Potential targets for Denver in the frontcourt and on the wing

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• What does Arizona big man Zeke Nnaji bring to the Denver Nuggets?
• What does USA'er playing in Australia RJ Hampton bring to the Denver Nuggets?
• A surprise addition of Marquette's Markus Howard to a two-way contract
• Did the Nuggets do the right thing drafting two first rounders?
• What this means for 2020 free agency and the future of the Nuggets organization

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• Milwaukee goes all in, New Orleans gets a treasure trove of assets
• Where do the Denver Nuggets stand now that Holiday is off the market?
• Chris Paul traded to Phoenix, Robert Covington traded to Portland
• Where does James Harden go? Would the Nuggets trade Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr. for Harden?
• What challenges do the Nuggets face in the coming free agency period?

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• Who do you like for the Nuggets at #22?
• Do you think they will keep the pick? If not what type of deal do you expect them to make?
• Other trades you think we might see?

Free Agency is next

• Jerami Grant is priority number one in free agency
• Outside of Grant, what’s the biggest need the Denver can fill in free agency
• What type of player can the Nuggets get with their mid level exception?

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• Who is Minnesota building around outside of Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell?
• What's going on with the first overall pick?
• What's the latest on Malik Beasley's legal situation?
• How are Juancho Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt doing?
• What are the similarities between the Wolves and Nuggets?
• What's the formula for building around a star point guard and center duo?
• Which players in this draft class could help both the Wolves and Nuggets succeed long term?

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• What does he bring that makes him so intriguing?
• Are the Denver Nuggets top level contenders if they add Holiday to the mix?
• What will it cost to acquire the New Orleans Pelicans combo guard?

Plus, they discuss the NBA Restart becoming official and the NBA Draft:

• 72 games starting on December 22nd
• How does that affect Denver's plans in the draft and free agency?
• Who are players Denver might target?

Apologies for Gordon's audio during the Jrue Holiday discussion. He never left the bubble.

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• What does Bol Bol's ideal role in the rotation look like?
• Can Bol handle the physicality of a full NBA season?
• Is he best used as a trade chip to acquire a piece that puts the Nuggets over the top?

Ryan also discusses the 2020-21 NBA season and whether the players and owners will come to an agreement.

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• What are the needs for the Denver Nuggets in the 2020 NBA Draft? Guards? Wings? Bigs?
• Dan goes through his top 10 list with some cross examination
• Ryan goes through his top 10 list with some cross examination

Listen to find where Poku, Xavier Tillman, Tyler Bey, and other popular options rank on the draft boards.

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• Nine guard/wing prospects, including Desmond Bane, Tyrese Maxey, Cole Anthony, and others
• Nine wing/forward prospects, including Saddiq Bey, Tyler Bey, Josh Green, and others
• Four big prospects, including Aleksej Pokusevski, Xavier Tillman, and others

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• KSE partnering with the Ball Corporation and all of the innuendos you were hoping to hear
• A report from Yahoo Sports about reported interest from the Denver Nuggets regarding Jrue Holiday
• What players are actually untouchable in trade talks

Then, they rank the top 10 NBA championship contenders of the 2021 season.

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• Who can and can't the Nuggets trade this offseason?
• Which young players hold the most value?
• How many untouchable players are on Denver's roster?
• Do the Nuggets have enough ammunition to acquire a star on the trade market?

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• Will Nuggets ownership be willing to dip into the luxury tax and pay for championship contention?
• Will Jerami Grant and the Nuggets agree to a new contract?
• What does it cost to acquire a major upgrade on the trade market?
• How will the Nuggets find sustainable defense going forward?
• Can the Nuggets maintain team chemistry while also finding ways to make the team better?

Part 2 of our discussion can be found with T.J. at Rocky Mountain Hoops.

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• Who are the Western Conference contenders in 2021?
• How do the Nuggets match up with each contender?
• Could Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. be good enough without any changes?
• What additions could the Nuggets make to help against different contenders?

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Then, Ryan moves into discussion on Jerami Grant's free agency:

• How many players in the NBA can actually do what Jerami Grant does
• How many can Denver acquire without trading Michael Porter Jr.?
• Which teams will go after Grant and compete for his services
• How much money Grant will command this offseason

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• A developing identity and the benefits and detriments of resilience and toughness
• Michael Malone's growth as a head coach
• A game of 'Real or Not Real' on several Nuggets topics
• Offseason predictions on re-signings, trades, and the next Denver Nuggets Starting Five

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• Denver's big decision coming up with Jerami Grant
• How his free agency affects Paul Millsap, Mason Plumlee, and Torrey Craig
• Denver's "other guys" on the roster: Bol Bol, Vlatko Cancar, and Keita Bates-Diop
• How Denver utilizes their first round draft pick
• Deciding on Gary Harris, Will Barton, or someone else at starting SG
• Trading for a star vs filling in depth around the roster
• Players Denver could add in free agency
• Players Denver could add in trades

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-         What happened?

-         How different is the series if Anthony Davis doesn’t hit the game winner in Game 2?

-         Overall feelings on the season

Moving forward

-         The free agents: Jerami Grant, Paul Millsap, Mason Plumlee, Torrey Craig

-         Can they get any sort of contributor out of the draft?

-         Trade ideas? Is Jrue Holiday destined to be a Nugget?

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• How the Nuggets got to this point
• Quarter-by-quarter breakdown of how Denver lost Game 4
• Reasonable adjustments to make in Game 5, including a starting lineup change
• Changes to make for individual Nuggets players

Ryan also spends the last segment discussing why it's okay for Nuggets fans to step back and enjoy the scenery of a Western Conference Finals appearance.

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• Can Nikola Jokic get going from the perimeter?
• Does Jamal Murray need to play 48 minutes?
• What Gary Harris, Jerami Grant, and Paul Millsap have to contribute to the starting lineup
• Should Denver mix and match lineups with their bench more often?
• Does Michael Porter Jr. need to be unleashed?

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• Lakers bigs predictably causing problems. Nikola Jokic is doing a masterful performance fighting through it but Anthony Davis, Javale McGee and Dwight Howard are giving the Nuggets everything they can handle on the glass and disrupting the Nuggets offense.
• Have to find ways to maximize Michael Porter Jr. He appears to have found his groove in this series and the Nuggets bench is still their biggest advantage. Have to wonder if he was in the game in the final moments does he get that rebound off the Alex Caruso miss.
• Strong performances from PJ Dozier. The free throws hurt but he was so good everywhere else. Gives the Nuggets a lot of options in terms of offseason moves

How can Denver bounce back in game 3

• Have to stop having energy lapses. Game 1 was lost after the refs took the Nuggets off their game, Game 2 was lost with a poor start.
• This is a must win. Never count the Nuggets out but going down 0-3 to the Lakers would be disastrous. Giving LeBron James 4 chances to close you out is a bad recipe for success

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• A million fouls in the second quarter takes Nikola Jokic out of rhythm
• Jamal Murray looks good but it's not nearly enough
• Anthony Davis appears unstoppable
• What can the Nuggets do to bounce back?

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• Why Nuggets-Lakers has been one-sided in the playoffs
• The most memorable and painful Lakers matchups
• What makes the 2020 Nuggets different from every other team in franchise history
• How elite leadership can change everything
• What to expect in this series from both teams
• Predictions

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• The sweetness of proving the doubters wrong
• Nikola Jokic's insane performance
• Jamal Murray dropping 40
• Giving credit to Michael Malone for the work he has done
• Kawhi Leonard and Paul George not showing up
• Role players making shots when needed

After, they spend a short time on the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.

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• Regular season roller coaster of moments
• Resiliency from Nikola Jokic
• Jamal Murray's potential coronation
• What to expect from the stars in Game 7
• Which role players could turn the tide
• What happens if Denver wins or loses
• It's okay to crow about it if they win

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• Nikola Jokic is unstoppable
• Jamal Murray is doing what he should
• Michael Porter Jr. comments

What will it take to win Game 7 over the Los Angeles Clippers

• Keep feeding Jokic
• Need a secondary scorer in 20 points
• Stop Paul George

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• Big takeaways
• The Michael Porter Jr. dynamic
• "The Lineup"
• Paul Millsap showing up in a big way
• Where Denver's resilience comes from
• Long term prospects with Porter, Jamal Murray, and Nikola Jokic
• Can Denver do it again in Game 6?

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NOTE: Nick's audio is wonky until about the 8-minute mark, so skip there if it's too much to handle.

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• Fourth quarter offense
• Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray struggled in the fourth quarter
• Flurries of turnovers at inopportune moments
• Can't stop the Clippers when they made contested shots

Ryan then goes over how the Nuggets can bounce back in game 4, including more minutes and maybe a starting spot for Michael Porter Jr. going forward.

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• Kawhi Leonard appears human for once
• Denver's defense ratchets up the intensity and execution
• Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray start off hot and dish to role players late
• LA's bench with Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell was limited
• What to expect in a Game 3 matchup

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• Nikola Jokic's game winner over Rudy Gobert
• Gary Harris' incredible defense
• An elite defense that saved some confusing rotations from Michael Malone
• A hobbled Jamal Murray fights through the pain (he gets a pass because duh)

There's also a short conversation on the Los Angeles Clippers, who the Nuggets will face in Game 1 on Thursday night.

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• Jamal Murray's elevated performance
• Nikola Jokic off-ball versus in the action
• Denver's role players and rotations
• How to defend Donovan Mitchell
• Can Denver at least slow down Mike Conley?
• Relying heavily upon Michael Porter Jr. in the biggest moments
• Starting Lineups and Closing Lineups

This was a doozy of a podcast that you won't want to miss.

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For the second half of the show we look forward to Game 7 and talk about what adjustments, if any, each team might make to try and win the series. Lastly, we wrap up with our predictions on who is going on to play the Los Angeles Lakers and who is headed home from the bubble.

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• The NBA is setting a great example
• Changes from the top down
• Quenton's personal experience dealing with police
• How white people can continue to be allies for change

They also discuss Game 6 between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz at the end, which will most likely be moved to Sunday.

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• Jamal Murray's explosion offensively
• Denver's clutch offense focused on Murray and Nikola Jokic
• Why the Utah Jazz struggled to score in the second half
• Can the Nuggets force a Game 7?

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• The lineups that haven't worked, from the initial starting unit to non-playmaking lineups around Nikola Jokic
• The lineups that are undecided, primarily Denver's newest starting group
• The lineups that could aid Jokic and Jamal Murray and win the Nuggets the playoff series

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• Getting Jamal Murray going at the expense of Michael Porter Jr.
• Rough offense all the way around
• Nikola Jokic and effort/engagement
• Mike Conley gets hot immediately
• Joe Ingles and Royce O'Neale are unperturbed
• Why isn't Jerami Grant starting over Paul Millsap?
• What the Nuggets can do to bounce back

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• Donovan Mitchell's 57 points and what the Nuggets can do to slow him down
• Jamal Murray's strong performance
• The Murray-Jokic two-man game that was unstoppable in crunch time
• Nikola Jokic v Rudy Gobert
• Denver's role players shooting a high (unsustainable?) percentage on three-pointers

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• Jamal Murray's unstoppable 4th Quarter and Overtime
• Nikola Jokic outplays Rudy Gobert in Game 1
• Donovan Mitchell's 57 points aren't enough
• Michael Porter Jr.'s slow start
• How the role players performed
• What's next for Game 2 from both teams?

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• Appreciation for Damian Lillard and Questions for Zion Williamson
• Takeaways from matchups with the Lakers and Clippers
• Zach takes listeners "inside the bubble"
• Playoff races in the East and West at length
• Finishing up with one of many Nuggets v Jazz playoff previews

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• Jamal Murray's post game
• Bench mob vs Lakers starters
• LeBron and AD were good, not perfect
• MPJ needs more play calls with Jokic and Murray

He then discusses seeding in the NBA playoffs, what the Nuggets need to do to get the 2 or 3 seed, and why it may not matter where they end up at all.

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• Was this loss intentional with Nikola Jokic sitting the fourth quarter?
• MPJ continues to dominate
• Other impressive Nuggets in the bubble
• Takeaways from Denver's first four games
• Injuries are more concerning than ever
• A quick glance at the rest of the Western Conference

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• MPJ's elite performance and his status as a playoff starter
• Nikola Jokic's performance as "a reincarnation of Larry Bird"
• Other standout performances from Denver's supporting cast
• What the starting lineup will look like going forward
• MPJ vs Zion vs Ja
• Predictions for Denver's game against Portland on Thursday night

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• Michael Porter's Jr.'s massive breakout scoring game
• Nikola Jokic's triple-double and clutch takeover ability in overtime
• Monte Morris' bounce back performance
• A new prospective lineup vs the Lakers and/or Clippers
• Bench struggles and shooting struggles

Ryan then looks ahead to what's next for the Nuggets, including what happens to Porter when the entire rotation is healthy again.

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• Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr were promising in the final scrimmage
• The Denver Nuggets flat out ran out of gas against the Miami Heat
• Is MPJ ready for big minutes?

Previewing the Oklahoma City Thunder

• Denver will be missing their wings again
• Don’t sleep on the Thunder
• Quick look at the games against the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz this week

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• Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo as stars
• The Heat supporting cast and elite shooting
• Who guards Butler on Saturday? Who guards Nikola Jokic? Who guards Jamal Murray?
• Nekias on Denver's title chances
• Nekias on Murray, Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and former Heat legend Bol Bol

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• Jamal Murray's special performance
• Will Barton looks rusty
• Michael Porter Jr.'s bubble debut
• Nikola Jokic taking no shots

And much more.

Ryan also shares several takeaways from Denver's three scrimmages, including words about Porter, Bol Bol, Monte Morris, Mason Plumlee, turnovers, etc.

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• It’s all about Bol Bol
• Does Troy Daniels deserve a spot in the rotation? Does Bol?
• How much can we actually glean from these giant lineups?

One more scrimmage, then the games count

• Do you expect coach to use the last scrimmage as a dress rehearsal?
• Are you worried about the guys who got to the bubble late jumping into games that count as their first action?
• How do you think Denver matches up with the Miami Heat?

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• The surprise factor for how good he was
• The single best Bol Bol moment
• Confidence level in Bol Bol in both the present and future
• His best role with the Nuggets in future seasons

After that, Ryan and Gordon continue on discussing other scrimmage stories and news.

• Standout performance from Troy Daniels
• Point Jokic
• Gary Harris and Torrey Craig sighting
• When will MPJ arrive?
• A game of "Bol Bol and MPJ for _____"

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• Will there actually be only nine players available in the first scrimmage? Who's hurt?
• When will reinforcements arrive? When is too late?
• Who starts in place of Gary Harris?
• What to expect from Bol Bol?
• Will Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray be better versions of themselves?

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• The Denver Nuggets are all starting to trickle in to Disney World
• What do you make of the Bol Bol hype?
• Are there any other players who you think can make the most of this training camp/pre-season?

The Nuggets will play actual opponents this week

• What are you hoping to glean and what should be Denver’s goal in these exhibition games, starting with the Washington Wizards?
• Should they be more concerned with getting off all the rust or keeping guys fresh and healthy for when the games actually count?

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• How the Orlando bubble (campus) is holding up so far
• The best bubble content we have seen online
• Jerami Grant's press conference on Wednesday and the social justice messaging problem the NBA is going through
• When the Nuggets will have their full roster again
• Bol Bol and all the hype possible
• What to expect in next Wednesday's scrimmage against the Washington Wizards

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Then, Ryan moves to discuss every player on the roster, in the bubble or not, and what they have to gain or lose from these playoffs. From roster spots, to playing time, to a new contract, every Nuggets player is playing for something.

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• Excitement for the NBA again after a long break
• Comparing the bubble playoff to the 1998-99 lockout season
• Dark horse playoff contenders throughout the NBA
• Opining the trade machine
• That time when Masai Ujiri and Josh Kroenke stopped by Stiffs Night Out

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• The starting unit's strengths and weaknesses
• The bench unit the Nuggets may have settled upon before the break
• The importance of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in almost every lineup
• How Michael Porter Jr. and Jerami Grant fit into things and why they more often than not go together

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Then, they dive into a Twitter Q&A, answering questions from Stiffs readers on:

• Michael Porter Jr.'s ideal role
• How the time off will affect the Nuggets
• If Denver's defense is playoff ready
• How the Nuggets can avoid being a "good-not-great" team moving forward

And more!

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At the end, they hit on The Last of Us 2 and why the video game has taken the world by storm.

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• What it means that Nikola Jokic tested positive for coronavirus
• PJ Dozier's new contract and potential role with the team
• One bench, rotation, and starting player we are each most excited to watch in the bubble

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In this episode, Ryan and Dan discuss:

• Should the Nuggets keep or trade their draft pick?
• Seeking out a quality starter with bust potential versus a safer role player in this class
• How many starters on a championship team could there be past ~ the 20th pick

Then, they delve into specific players:

• Center candidates: Daniel Oturu, Xavier Tillman, etc.
• Forward candidates: Saddiq Bey, Tyler Bey, Paul Reed, Patrick Williams, etc.
• Guard candidates: Aaron Nesmith, Jahmi'us Ramsey, etc.

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In this episode, Ryan and Dan discuss:

• Our first experiences as NBA draft analysts
• Re-evaluating talent from the 2016 and 2017 drafts
• Anthony Edwards, Onyeka Okongwu, Obi Toppin, and other top 10 draft picks
• Who Dan and Ryan think will become stars from this class

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• The Last of Us 2
• Best video games of our past and present
• Why sports video games aren't the same (or all the same)

Then, they discuss Michael Porter Jr. and make predictions for his return to play this season:

• What kind of potential does he have?
• Will he be part of the regular rotation?
• What are the best ways to utilize him?
• How many minutes does he play in a playoff setting?

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• Will the games be shown on Altitude?
• First video games I ever played
• The perfect playoff picture for the Nuggets to win a title
• The perfect fit around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr.

And there's more where that came from...

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They also discuss:

• Playoff bubble questions and restrictions
• Safety versus Money and the NBA playoffs
• Confidence level in the Nuggets being a title contender
• Playoff minute predictions for every rotation player (except Jokic and Jamal Murray)

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• Do the Nuggets have enough depth?
• Will 4-pack Nikola Jokic be dominant?
• Is Jokic still a bad defender?
• Can the Nuggets beat the top teams?
• Is Murray good enough?

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Current Events

• COVID-19 and Protests throughout the United States
• How the city of Denver has handled a tumultuous period
• How individuals can bring about societal change

NBA Back

• Was the timing right to talk about the NBA again?
• Excitement levels for the NBA's return
• Why 22 teams?
• Who are the favorites to win a championship?

Denver Nuggets tidbits

• Best player in franchise history
• Favorite players to watch in franchise history
• Thoughts about the 2019-20 Nuggets and how good they really are

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After that, Ryan discusses Jerami Grant's free agency after he shared some thoughts in a now deleted podcast with Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

Finally, three different playoff rotations are discussed against three Western Conference playoff teams: the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers.

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• Resume the regular season?
• Playoff tradition vs innovation?
• World Cup format
• Re-seeding 1 to 16

Then, they debate the teams in each individual tier and which team is best suited to win a title:

• Which Tier 1 team is best?
• Boston vs Denver (and Kemba Walker vs Jamal Murray)
• What if Kevin Durant comes back?

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• Going straight to the playoffs
• Expanding the playoff field
• Resuming the regular season
• Re-seeding playoff teams 1 to 16

Which option best suits the Denver Nuggets' odds for a championship?

Also, Ryan projects Denver's playoff rotation vs Houston, Dallas, and Oklahoma City

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In this episode, Ryan Blackburn, Zach Mikash, and Gordon Gross come together to discuss the recent news from Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania about momentum toward finishing the 2019-20 NBA season.

• Mandatory return and target dates in June and July
• Which teams are best positioned for a playoff?
• Will the Nuggets rotation be the same?
• Will Michael Porter Jr. play consistent minutes?
• Does playing at sea level hurt the Nuggets in the playoffs?
• Could Denver win a championship against all odds?

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• MPJ as a growing star
• Whether MPJ would play in the playoffs
• Minutes and team role going forward
• How trading for a star changes the team dynamic
• MPJ vs Jamal Murray going forward
• Championship hopes for the Nuggets
• How they become a true contender

Make sure to check out all of Matt's great work at The Action Network including a Nikola Jokic article set to come out soon.

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Then, Adam Mares, VP of Creative Production at DNVR and former Big Stiff, joins Ryan to discuss Jokic in depth.

• Being first on the Jokic bandwagon
• How Jokic's 2016-17 season was so special
• How Denver revitalizes their offense to reach elite levels around Jokic going forward
• The best players to pair with Jokic long term
• How the Nuggets can win a championship with Jokic at the helm

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• Stars the Denver Nuggets could look to acquire, including Bradley Beal, Jrue Holiday, Chris Paul, and more
• Which star fits best in the short and long term
• Non-stars the Nuggets should pursue in the offseason

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• Per game numbers and advanced metrics
• Shot profile of backup centers today
• Plumlee's viability in the regular season and playoffs
• What a Plumlee contract could look like in free agency

Then, he answers some Twitter questions about Plumlee, Monte Morris, Michael Porter Jr., and Michael Malone

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In this episode, Ryan Blackburn and Gage Bridgford discussed their favorite movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They agreed on some movies, like Captain America: Civil War. They disagreed on others, from Thor: Ragnorok to Captain America: The First Avenger.

Come enjoy the nerd out session as the two rank all 22 MCU movies, even Thor 2.

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• What if Carmelo Anthony went to the Detroit Pistons in 2003?
• What if Carmelo Anthony never asked out of Denver?
• What if the Nuggets draft OG Anunoby at 13?

Then, they turn to the 2020 offseason:

• Which players will be back?
• Which players will the Nuggets let go?
• Picking between Paul Millsap, Mason Plumlee, and Noah Vonleh
• Picking between Torrey Craig, Keita Bates-Diop, and P.J. Dozier

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• Per game numbers and advanced metrics
• Where Millsap ranks among starting power forwards today
• What Millsap's playoff run would have been like
• 2020 Free Agency decisions
• Why Nuggets fans should be thankful for Millsap no matter what

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• Denver Broncos taking wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in first round on Thursday night
• Denver Nuggets 2020 draft team needs
• Draft prospects the Nuggets could target, including Devin Vassell, Saddiq Bey, and more
• Ranking top 10 prospects from the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 draft
• Spirited discussions on where Michael Porter Jr. ranks

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• Craig's per game numbers and advanced metrics compared to other bench small forwards
• Is it fair to grade Craig's season by the numbers?
• Where Craig ranks at his position group (bench small forward)
• How he and the Nuggets would fair in the playoffs
• Will he be back for the 2020-21 season?

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• The formation of Denver Stiffs and how we got here
• More Arturas Karnisovas talk and the Nuggets front office structure
• The Mount Rushmore of the Nuggets franchise
• Michael Porter Jr. in depth
• Next season's starting lineup
• Are big changes coming?

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• Per game stats and advanced metrics
• Barton's place among starting small forwards
• What Barton looks like in a playoff setting
• Can Barton succeed as a SF at the highest level?
• How the Nuggets and Barton will operate going forward

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• Arturas Karnisovas accepting a role with the Chicago Bulls and leaving the Nuggets
• How the move affects the Nuggets on and off the court
• The best Nuggets in franchise history
• Debating Nikola Jokic vs David Thompson
• Overrated and Underrated Nuggets players historically

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• Raw numbers and advanced metrics
• Morris' standing among backup point guards. Is he elite?
• What Morris can do to be more efficient
• How the playoffs last season are still the most important point of discussion
• What Morris can be for the Nuggets going forward. A 6th man or something more?

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• Raw numbers and advanced metrics
• Shot profile and how Harris may need to change his game offensively
• Strong defense and All-Defensive team potential
• Where Harris ranks among starting shooting guards
• How the playoffs look with Gary Harris on the floor
• What to expect from Harris going forward, including if a trade is coming

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• How would playing at a neutral site without fans affect the Denver Nuggets?
• While other leagues struggle to restart perhaps any idea of playoffs at all is fool’s gold.

Previewing the playoff opponents

• Can Denver topple the small ball Houston Rockets?
• If the regular season is restarted, how would Denver do against another playoff opponent like the Oklahoma City Thunder?

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• What personal life has been like lately
• Favorite video games right now
• Jamal Murray and expectations changed by his contract
• Jerami Grant and whether the Nuggets should bring him back
• The ideal starting five
• Hypothetical playoff scenarios if the season does or doesn't return

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• Per game statistics and shooting metrics
• Grant's place among both starting and backup power forwards
• Long term strengths and weaknesses
• Is Jerami Grant a playoff player?
• How he fits into Denver's future with Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, and Michael Porter Jr.

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• Denver Nuggets organization member positive with COVID-19
• Jamal Murray social media gaffe

Previewing the upcoming….?

• What kind of restart to the NBA season would we be looking at?would we be looking at?
• Is the season lost?

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• Raw numbers and Advanced stats
• Murray's shot profile being a strength and a weakness
• Where Murray ranks among point guards today
• Whether he's a "16-game player" and can excel in the playoffs
• What to expect from Murray going forward

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• NBA season suspended due to COVID-19 outbreak (coronavirus)
• How the NBA handled the situation
• Our reactions to the cancellation
• The Nuggets season in review
• Our takeaways from a year filled with expectations

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• Win vs Milwaukee Bucks, from Jamal Murray's star performance to Michael Porter Jr.'s lackluster one
• Murray and Nikola Jokic and Denver's playoff ceiling with that star tandem
• The final 18 games of the regular season and where Denver will finish in the standings

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• Nuggets lose to Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, what is wrong?
• What’s going on with the rotation?

Previewing the upcoming week

• Where do you think this team ends up when the playoffs start? How far can they go?
• How confident are you in their ability to beat the Milwaukee Bucks tonight?
• Do you like the Nuggets chances against the Dallas Mavericks in a playoff series?
• Prediction of record this week

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• Signing Troy Daniels, in the running for Iman Shumpert and Joakim Noah
• Win over Charlotte Hornets, from Jamal Murray's game winner to Michael Porter Jr.'s DNP
• Jerami Grant's versatility and importance
• Ranking players in Denver's rotation by projected performance, i.e. our confidence in the rotation

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It’s all out of love, though. Promise.

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• Taking care of their healthy and injured players
• Winning games they are supposed to win
• Chess matches with potential first round opponents
• MPJ's minutes and role

All of that and more!

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Ryan Blackburn and Jena Garcia were joined by Jake Shapiro of the Denver Post and honorary Stiff Luke Hutchinson to discuss the loss. They talked about:

• No answers for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
• Nikola Jokic's strong performance that had to be stronger
• Denver's perimeter defense struggles
• The bench and a distinct lack of Michael Porter Jr.
• Hot takes

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• Load Management for Nikola Jokic and others
• Jokic's spot in Denver Nuggets franchise history. Is he the GOAT?
• Teams Nuggets should want to play or want to avoid in the first round
• Are the Nuggets true title contenders? How they can win a ring
• MPJ and the rotation

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• Okay with 1-1 against Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves?
• Michael Porter Jr. out of the rotation?

Previewing the upcoming week

• Who even plays for the Detroit Pistons?
• Can the Denver Nuggets get over the top of the Los Angeles Clippers?
• How are the Toronto Raptors still a top team?
• Prediction of record this week

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In addition to whining about the Nuggets’ offensive inconsistencies, topics include the following:

• Takeaways from the OKC loss
• The role of rust
• Should Gary Harris be benched?
• Is MPJ going to average more than 20 MPG moving forward?
• Can the Nuggets set a franchise win record?
• Preview of upcoming games against the Timberwolves, Pistons, and Clippers

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• NBA All-Star Game and the spectacular Elam Ending format
• Nikola Jokic's performance
• Who Denver's next All-Star will be
• Twitter Questions
• The Nuggets rotation going forward
• Where Denver will finish in regular season
• Who plays in the playoffs? Particularly Michael Porter Jr.

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• Losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime
• Nikola Jokic's struggles
• Bad calls by refs
• How Denver matches up with LeBron and AD in a playoff series
• How the Nuggets match up with other playoff teams
• Stepping back and enjoying a 38-17 record
• What this team looks like in their final form

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• Paul Millsap and Jamal Murray jumpstarting a Nuggets comeback versus the San Antonio Spurs
• The value of Monte Morris
• Fourth/Fifth options on offense doing what they're asked to do
• Quiet shooting hot streak for Torrey Craig
• Murray's stardom, balancing aggressive and passive scoring
• Previewing the Los Angeles Lakers game on Wednesday

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Denver Nuggets go on winning streak through the NBA Trade Deadline

• How does the Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez trade change the Nuggets?
• Incredible win against Utah Jazz, 3-0 week
• Jamal Murray’s resurgence

Previewing the upcoming week

• Can the Denver Nuggets get over the top of the Los Angeles Lakers
• Is there anyone outside of the L.A. teams that scares you in the playoffs now??
• Prediction of record this week

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• D'Lo for Wiggins trade and how it impacts both Golden State and Minnesota
• Other non-playoff teams that made significant moves at the deadline
• Memphis and Iguodala
• Is there upset potential facing Dallas or Oklahoma City?
• How Denver matches up with the other teams in their tier: Houston and Utah
• Does Denver stand a chance against the teams in Los Angeles?

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• The 4-team MegaTrade and Denver's part in it
• The Shabazz Napier for Jordan McRae swap and how it's an excellent move
• Are Noah Vonleh and Keita Bates-Diop good additions?
• How the trades impact Denver's rotation
• Denver's spectacular performance in Utah
• Appreciation for Torrey Craig and P.J. Dozier

Part 2 will come out early Saturday morning.

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What does this mean for the Nuggets going forward? Do any of the players acquired play a role? Is this a springboard for another potential deal? How do the Nuggets now look in the playoffs?

All that and more.

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In this episode, Ryan Blackburn discusses the following:

• An extended conversation on Jrue Holiday and whether he fits in Denver
• Brief discussions of other players Denver may be looking to acquire, including Robert Covington
• If Denver moves Malik Beasley or Juancho Hernangomez and where they could go
• Five rotation questions before the deadline to discuss where the Nuggets currently stand

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• Was it a positive week or a negative week?
• Injuries piling up
• Nikola Jokic an all star, Michael Porter Jr. a rising stars snub

Previewing the upcoming week

• Another big week of game with Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers
• Will the Nuggets land Jrue Holiday at the NBA Trade Deadline?
• Prediction of record this week

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• Kobe news on Sunday while at Pepsi Center
• Denver's injured players and when to expect them back
• Jerami Grant and Michael Porter Jr. stepping up when needed
• All-Star reserve picks in both conferences
• Denver's playoff rotation
• Which players are on the outside looking in?

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Then, Ryan breaks down where the Denver Nuggets currently stand in the Western Conference playoff picture, what a playoff series would look like against other West teams. From Denver's style battles with the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz to the talent deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers.

Finally, some words about Michael Porter Jr., from his last month as a shooter to how he impacts the Nuggets in a playoff series this season.

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• Thoughts on Kobe Bryant
• Satisfied with the split with the Houston Rockets?
• Has Michael Porter Jr. earned regular rotation minutes even when everyone is healthy?

Previewing the upcoming week

• Us the game against the Utah Jazz the biggest of the year thus far?
• Can Denver go 2-1 on their road games?
• Prediction of record this week

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Then, Ryan delves into the world of fake trades to discuss the trade deadline at great length. You sent in fake trade proposals, and Ryan graded them. In this, Ryan also discusses what kind of team the Nuggets want to be.

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• How Jamal Murray getting hurt affects the Nuggets
• Denver blows the game against the Indiana Pacers
• Michael Porter Jr.’s media coverage

Previewing the upcoming week

• How will they handle tougher than it looks three game road trip against the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans?
• Big week for staying ahead in the standings
• Prediction of record this week

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The Denver Nuggets are 29-12 at the halfway mark of the season, and the entire stretch of 41 games has taught the world about just how great and interesting this team can be. Nikola Jokic is a superstar. Jamal Murray has his flashes. Michael Porter Jr. has brought something new.

In this episode, I grade every Nuggets player on the roster as well as head coach Michael Malone. The guards are in the first segment. The forwards are in the second segment. The centers and Malone are in the final segment.

Enjoy!

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Yes, Michael Porter Jr. had those expectations, but P.J. Dozier did not. The South Carolina product played his ninth career game on Wednesday night and filled in admirably off the bench. That was the story of Denver's 100-86 win over Charlotte.

In this episode, Ryan Blackburn and Brandon Ewing discuss the game, Denver's rotation going forward, and where the Nuggets currently stand within the Western Conference. Can they be a title contender? Do they need a trade or two to get there?

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To begin, I shared five statistical tidbits that help the Nuggets even the playing field with these other teams, including winning percentages, Michael Porter Jr.'s growth, and more.

Then, I delved into the weeds of lineup ratings, first starting with Denver's best units overall and working my way toward Denver's best units offensively. How does Denver score with Nikola Jokic off the floor? Where does Jerami Grant fit in? Can Michael Porter Jr. really play down the stretch?

All that and more in this episode.

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• Was the Dallas Mavericks victory the best of the season?
• What happened against the Cleveland Cavaliers?
• Nice bounce back against the Los Angeles Clippers

Previewing the upcoming week

• How do the Denver Nuggets avoid let downs against the Charlotte Hornets and Golden State Warriors?
• Can the Nuggets repeat their success against the Indiana Pacers?
• Prediction of record this week

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I started with a Twitter experiment in which I asked people to send me their All-Star ballots to frame the exercise. Some players were unanimous, but some decisions were too close to call.

After that, I shared my personal All-Star ballot, including the debate between Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard for the third starter spot, whether the Utah Jazz deserve two All-Stars, and whether any of Karl-Anthony Towns, Russell Westbrook, Rudy Gobert, or Devin Booker are left out of the game.

Enjoy!

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With the game on the line and the Nuggets down one, Nikola Jokic beat the mismatch in the post and hit and shot in the paint with eight seconds left. That proved to be the difference in Denver's victory against the Dallas Mavericks.

Jokic continues to showcase his mettle as an elite closer, so Jena Garcia, Zach Mikash, and Nikola Jokic talked about him at length. First, they discussed Wednesday night's game winner versus Dallas. Next, they ranked his seven game winners in the last two years. Finally, the trio discussed Denver's most important players in a playoff series that are on the roster.

Enjoy!

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Dominate he did, as the Serbian center scored 47 points, a career high, on Serbia's Christmas day, a wonderful gift to Jokic's countrymen and women. He showcased exactly why he's the best center in the NBA and why the bar for his performance has just been increased.

In this episode, I discuss Jokic's amazing night, along with the rest of the Denver-Atlanta game, including some worrisome defense once again. Finally, I do a mini Q&A from questions I received on Twitter concerning Jokic, Paul Millsap, and Denver's defense at large.

Enjoy!

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In this episode, Ryan Blackburn and Brandon Ewing link up to discuss Denver's loss to the Houston Rockets, ranging from the defense for offense debate, Michael Porter Jr.'s impressive scoring, and Jamal Murray's struggles.

Then, they discuss New Year's resolutions for every Nuggets player. From great health, to shooting more threes, to being traded, every Nuggets player has a goal in 2020, and Ryan and Brandon discuss what they think those can and should be.

Enjoy!

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In this episode of Nuggets Numbers, I spend the first segment discussing what Denver's future may look like with Michael Porter Jr. as a key member of the team. His debut as a starter sent ripples around the NBA and showcased just a bit of his potential as a versatile scorer.

Then in the second segment, I discuss my 10 favorite Nuggets moments of 2019 at length, ranging from scoring outbursts from Jamal Murray to playoff growth for Nikola Jokic and the rest of the team.

Enjoy!

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• How much does the Denver Nuggets bounce back seven game win streak speak to their maturity as a team?
• What can Denver do to stop getting killed by big wings like Brandon Ingram?
• Nuggets trade rumors heating up, is Jrue Holiday worth the price?
• Michael Porter Jr’s first start

Previewing the upcoming week

• Do you think Denver can repeat their previous performance against the Houston Rockets?
• Are the Indiana Pacers dark horse finals contenders?
• Prediction of record this week

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Apologies for the rough voice.

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• Perfect week before the outcome of the Nuggets game is determined - better execution by Denver or just home cooking against lesser opponents?
• Comeback against Orlando Magic a good sign or concerning they had to go on a 24-0 run to pull it out?
• How much will Denver’s home court feature in their postseason positioning, considering they don’t play to the altitude as much as in years past?
• Los Angeles Lakers thoughts (though it’s hard to take too much from it with LeBron James out)

Previewing the upcoming week

• Can Denver get up for playing at the Phoenix Suns on Monday after this LA game?
• Home vs. New Orleans Pelicans on Christmas - good to have a national Christmas game or bad to have so many games this week?
• Saturday vs. Memphis Grizzlies or the SEGABABA vs Sacramento Kings, both in Denver - which concerns you more?
• Prediction of record this week?

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• Concerned about the nuggets bombing the road trip?
• Should Denver retire Carmelo Anthony’s jersey?
• Is it safe to say Nikola Jokic is back to his old self?

Previewing the upcoming week

• Who concerns you more in the Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves?
• How big is the Los Angeles Lakers game?
• Win loss predictions for the week

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40% of the NBA will be eligible for a trade come Sunday, and the Denver Nuggets are one of the teams that could be heavily involved.

In the first segment (2:30), Ryan Blackburn, Jena Garcia, and Gage Bridgford discuss Denver's 1-3 road trip, including what went wrong, Nikola Jokic's performances, and how the Nuggets can fix things.

In the second segment (23:00), they discuss the bench rotation and the limitations of Denver's current lineup.

In the third segment (38:00, and it's a long one) the group delves into trade talk, discussing the type of players Denver may look to acquire and which players make the most sense, from Andre Iguodala to J.J. Redick.

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21 games feels ripe for establishing an initial look at Denver's roster, from Michael Porter Jr.'s brief stints to Jamal Murray's heavy burden. I looked at the 12 players to amass greater than 100 minutes played and evaluated them on a 100 scale.

But before that, I answered some Twitter questions from Stiffs readers, mostly centered around Nikola Jokic but also some questions about lineups, three-point shooting, and more.

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• What did the Los Angeles Lakers loss tell us?

• Is there anything that can be salvaged from the losses against the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets?

Previewing the upcoming week?

• How does Denver come up with a victory at the Philadelphia 76ers?

• What do you think the reception will be like for Carmelo Anthony and the Portland Trailblazers?

• Win loss predictions for the week

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I preview that game in segment three, but first, I had some thoughts about Nikola Jokic and the brushback he has received over the last month. In here, I put together some statistics on "November Jokic" and why I think he's in line for a bounce back month now that the games really start to matter.

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• Any lasting impressions from the Washington Wizards game?
• How do you explain the loss to the Sacramento Kings?
• Can the Nuggets have sustained success with a less aggressive Nikola Jokic?

Previewing the upcoming week

• Thoughts on the new City jerseys?
• How big is the Los Angeles Lakers game?
• Toughest test on the upcoming east coast road trip?
• Win loss predictions for the week

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In this episode, Ryan is joined by Zach Mikash and Gage Bridgford (in his Denver Stiffs podcast debut) to discuss Thanksgiving food takes. Is turkey overrated? Best side? Mac n Cheese or Mashed Potatoes?

Oh, and they talk some Nuggets too.

• Can Gary Harris achieve First Team All-Defense?
• Should anyone be worried about Nikola Jokic?
• How to solve bench woes

And much more. Enjoy!

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Ryan goes solo to discuss Denver's win over the Phoenix Suns and some notes from an extra viewing session of that game.

Then, he goes over the five most important changes the Nuggets could make to help the offense improve while not impacting the defense extensively. Spoiler alert: it still includes Michael Porter Jr., but barely.

Finally, what does the current landscape of the Western Conference look like? Ryan provides an impromptu power ranking of the top 6 teams in the West right now. The other nine don't matter. They aren't winning a playoff series.

Enjoy!

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• Which win was more impressive, Boston Celtics or Houston Rockets?
• Deciding factors in the win against the Phoenix Suns
• Is there any reason not to consider the Nuggets finals contenders?

Previewing the upcoming week

• Is Isaiah Thomas’ comeback legit?
• Does the Sacramento Kings game scare you at all?
• Win loss predictions for the week

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• A clutch Jamal Murray performance and his All-Star campaign
• Paul Millsap's importance to this team
• The starters finding their groove
• The bench...not finding much of anything
• How to handle Michael Porter Jr.'s situation going forward

And much more! From the player of the week, to Denver's sturdy defense, to if the Nuggets are championship contenders.

Enjoy!

(P.S. Apologies for the echo)

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In this episode, Ryan shares his research on the Denver Nuggets season so far, discussing the 12 most important stats related to why Denver is 9-3, whether they should be better or worse, and where they will go from here. From one of the easiest schedules to date to one of the best starting lineups in the entire NBA, the numbers range far and wide. If you want to know why the Nuggets are where they are today, this is the episode for you.

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• Do you just wash away the Atlanta Hawks loss?
• Juancho Hernangomez inserted into the rotation
• Have we started to see Denver’s offense click?

Previewing the upcoming week

• Carmelo Anthony’s Nuggets legacy
• Tougher matchup on the homestand - Houston Rockets or Boston Celtics 
• Win loss predictions for the week?

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Why do the Nuggets always start slow? What's up with the offense? Has anyone been more consistent than Paul Millsap or Will Barton thus far? Did the Nuggets find a formula on their bench with Juancho Hernangomez?

Jena and Ryan discuss all of that and more.

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3-0 Week

• Which win was the most impressive
• Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic powered the Denver Nuggets through the week
• Michael Porter Jr. cracks the rotation

Previewing the upcoming week

• Are the Atlanta Hawks going to make a jump this season?
• How dangerous are the Brooklyn Nets when they don’t have Kevin Durant?
• Does the Memphis Grizzlies game concern you at all?
• Win loss predictions for the week?

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Ryan and Zach dive into the numbers to discuss Denver's defense to start the season. It has been stellar in four games and brutal in the other two. Which performances represent Denver's true defensive abilities? Is the current performance sustainable?

After defensive talk, Zach and Ryan discuss each rotation player thus far, picking one stat and predicting whether the number will be real or not real at the end of the season, from Nikola Jokic’s three-point percentage to Jamal Murray’s assists per game.

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To break down these problems, Ryan and Brandon hopped on to discuss the individual players, to Michael Porter's exciting professional debut, to the concern level Nuggets fans should have at the beginning of the season.

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In Episode 2 of the second season of The Dig, co-hosts Nick Hertzog and Jeremy Poley slog through their own early season slump, which resembles the Nuggets’ offense. Nick blows the introduction; Jeremy fumbles a metaphor; both hosts struggle with coherence. But just like the Nuggets, the end result is a W, thanks to a game-winning MPJ discussion.

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In the first of two segments, Ryan broke down the three Numbers to remember and evaluated Denver's 101-94 victory against the Sacramento Kings. Then, in a time when small sample size affects all, Ryan produced four takeaways, including some concerning numbers shooting the ball as a team and scoring while Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are off the floor.

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• How good was Nikola Jokic this week?
• Surprised about zero minutes for Michael Porter Jr.?
• Are you concerned about how close the game with the Phoenix Suns was?

Previewing the upcoming week

• Concerned about the Sacramento Kings even with their slow start?
• Who will go down as the better player Jokic or Luka Doncic?
• Which road game concerns you more Orlando Magic or New Orleans Pelicans?
• Win loss predictions for the week?

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Today's Nuggets Numbers focuses on two separate items. First, the Denver Nuggets did not come to terms on extensions with either Malik Beasley or Juancho Hernangomez. I did my best to explain rookie extension process, why there was no deal, and what happens now with each player.

Then, I dove into the meat of the podcast, offering up 20 predictions for the Nuggets season that I firmly believe. These are my real takes, nothing fabricated, and I'm high on Denver's outlook this season. I believe they will go deep into the playoffs.

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• Which one of the Denver Nuggets the most with the preseason?
• Who did the least?
• What do you think the rotation is coming out of preseason?

Start of the regular season

• Malik Beasley/Juancho Hernangomez extensions
• Are the Portland Trail Blazers someone who will contend for a division title?
• Are the Phoenix Suns ready to turn it around?
• Win loss predictions for the week?

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In their first visit to Pepsi Center for a Nuggets game in over five months, Jena and Ryan break down what transpired in the last preseason game and the majority takeaways before delving into the most pressing topics: who will start at small forward on opening night? Will Michael Porter Jr. be part of the rotation? Are the Nuggets ready to get off to a fast start with an easy schedule to begin the regular season?

Jena and Ryan discuss that and more in this one. Enjoy!

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In segment one, I discussed some of the major points of yesterday's Stat of the Week regarding Denver's offense focusing heavily on floaters. They are both good and bad, and I spent some time on why they are important statistically for Denver. Then, the three numbers to remember for this week: 35, 73, and 26.1

In segment two, I discussed the game and how the Nuggets won 107-102 against the Suns on Monday night, it was important to discuss various moments of that contest, from Torrey Craig and Jerami Grant fitting well with the starting unit to Michael Porter Jr. once again answering the call on who deserves rotation minutes at small forward.

And in segment three, I give my thoughts on the small forward competition and who will start or come off the bench. You may be surprised by my thinking. Enjoy!

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Finishing up the preseasonJerami Grant vs. Paul Millsap rotationHow many minutes does Nikola Jokic need?What is your opening day rotation?

Season predictionsMVPFinalsDenver Nuggets wins

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To break down the game, Ryan and Zach hopped on call to discuss the finer details, including the small forward rotation, the down performances from Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, and the strong bench play, featuring both Juancho Hernangomez and Michael Porter Jr. at backup small forward.

Is the starting small forward competition over already? Can Porter sneak into the Nuggets rotation? We discussed it all.

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Ryan dissected the entire preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers, from the starting minutes of small forward Will Barton to the importance of Jamal Murray learning to let shots fly. Even with Nikola Jokic sitting, there's lots to talk about with this Nuggets team and many players who will contribute to Denver's success going forward.

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Preseason Game 1 previewWhat are important things to watch for in game 1?What are you expecting to see out of Michael Porter Jr.?

Preseason Over Unders20 minutes a game for Nikola Jokic13.5 ppg for MPJ1.5 Technical fouls for Michael Malone

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To break down the end of training camp and where Denver goes from here, Ryan was joined by Jena Garcia and Gordon Gross in Colorado Springs to hit on the major takeaways. The group had five main takeaways to discuss and four major questions left to answer. After that, the trio discussed their biggest hot takes they actually believe on the 2019-20 season.

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To break it all down, I brought on Gordon Gross to discuss the small forward position in its entirety. From the fit in the starting unit next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to the fit playing next to Monte Morris and Mason Plumlee, each spot in the rotation has different responsibilities and expectations. Which players fit where? Does MPJ play? Will players upset the locker room culture if they don't achieve their goal?

To end the podcast, we also gave our predictions for who would start the first preseason game as well as be the starter and reserve on opening night.

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Today, myself (Ryan Blackburn), Zach Mikash, Jena Garcia, and Brandon Ewing covered the event for Denver Stiffs, collecting videos, asking questions, and taking in the atmosphere at Pepsi Center. This episode will feature the major takeaways from the festivities, including reacting to an open competition at small forward as described by Michael Malone.

Enjoy!

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Biggest names going into media dayMichael Porter JrNikola JokicBol Bol

Media Day Over UndersHow many times will Michael Malone say “to your point”?Total minutes of Paul Millsap’s press conference?Fewest words in a Jamal Murray answer?Number of players who don’t speak to the media?

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Every year at the end of the offseason, major news and analysis outlets release their annual NBA Player Rankings articles, and every year, the internet argues about it. In the final podcast before Denver Nuggets media day, I decided to bring on Adam Fromal, founder and editor of NBA Math and quality editor at Bleacher Report to discuss the rankings produced by Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

First, we discussed the rankings process, from whether rankings matter at all to the criteria each of us believe should be most important. Then, we dove into the SI rankings, starting with the top 10 players and the Nikola Jokic vs Joel Embiid vs Anthony Davis debate. We talked about the rest of the Nuggets, including Jamal Murray and his placement among young star guards, as well as touching on the rest of the Nuggets roster.

Finally, we moved into the ESPN rankings and expressing our concern for how that list came out. It was very weird.

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Denver Nuggets sign Tyler ZellerNBA cracks down on league tamperingTraining Camp preview

Michael Porter Jr expectationsNBA Season Over Unders

1.5 western conference teams missing the playoffs who made it last year53.5 Wins for the Denver NuggetsNikola Jokic MVP Odds

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What do the Americans need to do to get back to the top?Thoughts on Nikola Jokic and Juancho Hernangomez performancesThe Small forward conundrum

Who should be the starter? Who will be?Who gets left out of the rotation between Will Barton, Malik Beasley, Torrey Craig, Michael Porter Jr and JuanchoLooking forward to the season

More important backcourt question: Can Harris stay healthy or can Jamal take next step?Which player is most likely to start the season outside of the Denver Nuggets rotation but finish the season as part of it?

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World Cup of basketballWho do you think will winWho second best team in the world at full strength right now? Five years from now?

Training CampWho do you think what they will do with the final roster spot?Whats one crazy line up you want to see?

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Are the Nuggets wise to stick their flag in the ground while the rest of the West scrambles to add players?

FILL IN THE BLANK

Bringing Millsap back for $30mil is _____________________

Jamal Murray’s $170m extension is ____________________

The best FA fit still available for the Nuggets is _________________

The Nuggets are going to need MPJ to be ______________ next year

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We'll look at the salary cap situation. And we'll finish up looking at the big summer league ahead (MPJ, Vandy, the Slovenian).

Buy/or Sell Free Agency Edition

The Nuggets will make a major free agent acquisition this offseason.Top UFA/PO: KD, Butler, Kawhi, Kyrie, Kemba, Klay, Cousins, Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Khris Middleton, D’Angelo Russell, JJ Redick, Horford, Marc Gasol, Julius Randle, Brook Lopez, DeAndre Jordan, Bojan Bogdanivic

The Nuggets will make a trade (for a pick, for AD, etc.)

Any player not on the current roster playing 15+ minutes a game next season (overall season)

The Nuggets will retain Paul Millsap.  Michael Porter Jr. will win the MVP of the summer league.

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Fill in the Blank -- Awards EditionNuggets MVP not named JokicBench MVPMIPBest performance of the regular seasonBest performance of the playoffs

For the RecordOur best predictionsOur worst predictionsAll of Ladd’s predictions were awful (Jokic is Pau Gasol, the Nuggets won’t make the playoffs, etc.)

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Meanwhile, the bench has seriously underperformed.  Where is regular season Mason Plumlee?  Can Monte Morris handle a lineup where he's not the only playmaker?  What's the best position for Barton to succeed in?

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Jamal Murray was incredible in game 2's 4th quarter so don't count him out, but he has to be better

Making a change with Will Barton is best for everyone

Free throws and officiating

- Previewing Game 4

Who I would start in place of Barton

I will be a nervous wreck

Based on the season, you have to believe

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Previewing the SpursWhere did San Antonio rank in your desired first round opponents?What’s your biggest concern with SA?Predictions?

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Upcoming WeekDoes the Detroit Pistons game scare you at allCan the Denver Nuggets pull off a win against the Houston Rockets?Favorite match up in the NBA playoffs?

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Out on the roadResponding to commentary on Jokic’s ejectionWhen will we consider the Nuggets championship contenders?Need to back it up with wins at Washington and at New York

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0:38 - We dedicate the episode to (trying to) pronounce Nikola Jokic's name correctly.  The recent emphasis on pronouncing his first name correctly has made people forget that EVERYONE (not of the former Yugoslavia) is pronouncing his last name incorrectly.

3:24 - THE THEME: Down to Business.  Malone has stopped the experiments and, essentially, ended the regular season ball.  Warp "playoffs", engage!

6:35 - BUY OR SELL:

Resting Jokic

Gary Harris getting his mojo back Barton fitting in with the starters Sitting IT/Lyles/Juanch41:00ish - A NUGGETS HAIKU

41:45ish - OVER/UNDER:

 19 pts/g for Murray by the end of the season 9 wins to close out the year 1 minute of game time  for MPJ .9 fan altercations for Westbrook

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Loss to the Warriors How many games would the Nuggets win in a series against Golden State?What seeding/final record do the Nuggets need for the best playoff run?

Upcoming homestandHow Important is getting a win against Minnesota?Which of the Mavericks, Timberwolves and Pacers game scares you the Most?How long can Denver afford to wait on Isaiah ThomasWhat will their record be on the homestand?

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On the RoadWhat happened in San Antonio?Are the Lakers playoff hopes done?Is this a statement game against the Warriors?

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8:54: The Theme (and a little Rage Against the Machine)

22:55: Fill in the Blank

38:05: A little back patting

40:30: Ode to the Lakers

41:00: Buy/Sell -- Do the Nuggets have a path to a championship? Will a better player than Jokic win the MVP?

The Dig is a bimonthly podcast that looks at one theme from the previous two weeks' games. It is hosted by Nick Hertzog and Jeremy Poley, the Social Media Manager for Denver Stiffs.

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The big game tonightNot a must win for the Denver NuggetsGood measuring stick gameBeating the Oklahoma City Thunder for the division title should be the goal

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We discussed a variety of topics, starting with Guess the Nugget on Jamal Murray. We talked about Murray's segmented season, his top end production, and what he can be for the Nuggets in a playoff series.

We then delved into Brendan's time as a media member, from his experiences credentialed at Pepsi Center to his discussions on his latest episode of Full Court Press.

Finally, we discussed the Nuggets final 25 games of the regular season, from what they need to do to hold onto the 2 seed to the closing lineup on the floor with the season on the line.

2:20 - Guess the Nugget

3:15 - Jamal Murray

14:00 - Brendan on media landscape and Full Court Press

31:00 - The final 25 games

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To be honest, we didn't even make it through half of our show material because the depth of conflict here is so deep.  There's plenty to consider here, so jump on in.

4:38 - THE THEME: Musical Chairs.  There's a couple of interesting lineups for the Nuggets that are making us ask some questions.

8:50 - BUY OR SELL:

Nuggets being the second best team in the West

The Nuggets being the most disrespected #2 of all time

A 3-guard lineup

Barton as the starting SF

35:30 - A NUGGETS HAIKU

35:55 - PREDICTIONS:

Where will the Nuggets finish in the West?

What will the Nuggets playoff starting 5 be?

Will they win a first-round series

54:30 - BAD TAKE/GOOD TAKE:

Colin Cowherd ranks Lakers' roster talent ahead of Nuggets'

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Trade DeadlineHappy the Nuggets stood pat?One deal that surprised you?

ASB on the horizonWin against MiamiPreviewing SacramentoAll Star break rant

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On the RoadPistons bring them back to earthWhat will be the Nuggets record on this road trip

Trade deadline Will Anthony Davis get traded?Will the Nuggets do anything?

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The obvious target is Anthony Davis.  But is it worth it to bet the farm on a player that may not stay?

We move on to Otto Porter Jr., who Blackburn just wrote about on the Stiffs.

And what about smaller trades?  Only a handful of trades actually happen before the deadline, and they're often pretty small.  What minor changes can the Nuggets make to improve their team now or in the future?

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Upcoming WeekGordon’s JV thoughtsPhilly GameHow good can this team be now that they have their starting group rolling?Upcoming Schedule game: Are They Done?

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