In the first Nuggets Ink podcast of the 2021-22 season, head coach Michael Malone and team president Tim Connelly join beat writer Mike Singer and columnist Mark Kiszla for a discussion before the start of training camp. Among the topics discussed:

+ Where are things at with Michael Porter Jr.'s potential contract extension? Is the team optimistic something can get worked out prior to the season? How has the young forward developed within the Nuggets' team-first culture? How has Malone's relationship with Porter grown through the years?
+ How is rehab going for Jamal Murray? Is the team hopeful he will be able to see the floor by the end of the season? What was the scene like in the locker room in the immediate aftermath of Murray's season-ending ACL injury last spring?
+ What more can be asked of Nikola Jokic after he just submitted the first NBA MVP season in franchise history? What has his mindset been during this offseason? Time to relax or push even harder?
+ How important was it to the team to lock up Aaron Gordon to a long-term contract? What did he show Malone and Connelly during his brief time in Denver last spring that convinced them he was an important piece of the Nuggets' championship future?
+ What do Malone and Connelly see as the formula to the team's unprecedented success during the past three seasons? How much of that can be attributed to luck? And how much is it about the franchise's strong organizational structure?
+ During a live question-and-answer session, one audience member asks: What does Bol Bol have to do to get on the floor more consistently.

Michael Malone and Tim Connelly talk MPJ, Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic and Nuggets' upcoming season

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

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

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

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

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: "Follow the Leader" The Trujillo Company

Nikola Jokic's wrist, Jamal Murray's thigh and what we're buying as regular season nears

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated Denver in a stunning Game 7 comeback. Among the topics discussed:

+ Where did things go wrong for the Nuggets in the second half of Game 7? What could coach Michael Malone have done differently to stem the tide as Minnesota rallied from 20 points down to advance?

+ How much of the blame for what happened Sunday should be heaped upon the shoulders of superstars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray? What about the supporting players around them, in particular a cold-shooting Michael Porter Jr.?

+ What part of this result can be pinned on management? Did general manager Calvin Booth not give his head coach enough parts to successfully defend the title? What must be done to avoid this next season?

+ Lastly, Bennett talks about the chain of events that led to Michael Malone blowing up at him in the postgame press conference.

Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noel

Nuggets collapse in Game 7, Michael Malone blows up and what's next for Denver

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, Mike Singer and Matt Schubert check in after Denver's 1-3 start one week into the regular season. Among the topics discussed:

+ The Nuggets are currently giving up 120 points per game. What's wrong with the defense? Can it be fixed with the current roster? Is Denver now an "offensive team"?
+ Michael Porter Jr. is back to scoring in bunches, but he's also letting the opponents do the same. Is this endangering his starting spot? How long will it take for him to reach a plus level on the defensive end?
+ Nikola Jokic is off to a torrid start with three triple-doubles in four games. Is he the best center in the NBA? Might we be seeing the beginnings of a legitimate MVP campaign?
+ JaMychal Green has yet to appear in a regular-season game with the Nuggets. How much will his return lock roles into their proper place? Can he help solve some of Denver's defensive issues?
+ Time to buy low on Facundo Campazzo stock? He's not seeing a ton of minutes, and some of the excitement has dulled on Denver's Argentinian import.
+ The Nuggets' name popped up in recent James Harden trade rumors. Should the franchise consider trading for the disgruntled superstar? What sort of package might that take? And what's the timeline for getting a deal done?

Nikola Jokic's amazing start, Denver's defensive issues, James Harden trade talk and more

A Denver Nuggets podcast by The Denver Post. 611763

Nuggets collapse in Game 7, Michael Malone blows up and what's next for Denver

Nuggets Ink

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