DENVER, CO – JUNE 12: NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets holds his daughter, Ognjena, while giving teammate Aaron Gordon (50) a hug on stage after winning the championship against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in June. December 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
First, the Nuggets finished two and four in the playoffs. Does that mean they are unique when it comes to NBA titles?
When the postseason began, Denver harbored dynasty aspirations. The board’s stance has been to take a macro view, focused on winning multiple crowns over a period of time.
There’s no denying that this bigger-picture philosophy cost them in May. A thin bench, Jamal Murray’s erratic shooting and the disappearance of The Other Guys (Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon) conspired to cushion a 20-point lead in Game 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As with the current Boston Celtics, the playoff opponents fell in favor of the Nuggets a year ago. Denver took advantage of the home court and faced an inferior Miami Heat team for the championship. The Nuggets can forever enjoy this achievement. But the stated goal is that this glory does not exist in a vacuum.
About it?
Suddenly there is parity in the NBA. It has an NFL feel to it. There are legitimately seven teams that could win the title in 2025. The list includes the Nuggets, Celtics, Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers.
Recency bias is hailing the Celtics as an all-time great team. Forgive me for hitting the brakes. The Nuggets received similar consideration. Repetition is unpleasant business. And for the Nuggets to improve the reputation of their 2023 group (at least two smart additions are needed this offseason, such as a three-point shooter and a rim protector), they must return to the Finals next season.
Another title would revive the talk of a dynasty. The truth is that there won’t be another one for a long time. The Nuggets’ focus must be narrow, winning a second title before the window pane closes on this team’s fingers.
Courtland Sutton maintains a good relationship with Sean Payton. They need him because it seems unlikely that Denver will reach an agreement in their contractual “stalmate” with the receiver. Sutton is a good player in a disappointing offense. Combine that with his age (he turns 29 in October) and there’s no reason to extend it. …
If the Rockies were smart, they would make third baseman Ryan McMahon available in a trade. They owe it to the reconstruction process to listen to offers. McMahon or shortstop Ezequiel Tovar will represent the Rockies in the All-Star Game. McMahon, whose contract runs through 2027, could land an excellent young pitching prospect from teams like the Pirates (at first or second base) and the Blue Jays.
And big news: Former CBS sportscaster Mark McIntosh received a life-saving kidney transplant this week. McIntosh told me he is “progressing very well and hopes to return home” from the hospital on Saturday. While waiting for him, McIntosh created the Drive for Five program with the goal of getting 5,000 people between 45 and 60 years old “to share their spare kidney.” He continues to be an inspiration.
Mail time
I totally disagree with your article in the newspaper (last Saturday) in which you completely blame Russell Wilson for the effects of his contract. Your first sentence said, “One person ruined it for everyone.” Does that mean the general manager, head coach and owners had nothing to do with the contract negotiations and also didn’t sign the final contract? Come on!
– G. Earnest, Aurora
What I meant was that since the Broncos rewarded Russell Wilson (and that was always going to happen after he waived his no-trade clause and the new owner took over), the front office hasn’t dipped back into the waters of the contract extension. But yes, you are right that the blame is shared. CEO George Paton pulled out all the stops, a bold strategy I appreciated. Failure. It should have cost him his job, as well as coach Nathaniel Hackett. Owner and CEO Greg Penner, however, likes how Paton and boss Sean Payton work together. In the end, the Broncos’ Payton and Paton legacy now depends on the development of quarterback Bo Nix. If he becomes a top-15 quarterback in his third season on a rookie contract, he will provide a soothing balm for Wilson’s contract migraine.
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