The Denver Nuggets ended their 2023 NBA playoffs in a manner that left them with a bitter taste. After a promising season, their campaign concluded in humiliation as they lost on their home court, squandering a 20-point lead in the second half of Game Seven against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This crushing defeat ended what was supposed to be another championship run, leaving the team in a state of disappointment and embarrassment.
The offseason has done little to improve the situation for the Nuggets. They faced several setbacks, including the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency and the unfortunate injury to their first-round draft pick, DaRon Holmes II, who tore his Achilles.
Additionally, Jamal Murray, one of the team’s key players, struggled significantly during the Olympics, adding to the team’s concerns.
Despite these challenges, the Nuggets may find renewed motivation thanks to some unexpected comments made by Donovan Mitchell.
During an episode of the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast, Mitchell, who has a history with the Nuggets, discussed his picks for the top teams in the Western Conference.
Surprisingly, he mentioned the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder as his favorites, omitting the Nuggets entirely. This omission, whether intentional or not, could serve as a source of motivation for Denver as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Mitchell’s relationship with the Nuggets is complex. He was originally drafted with a pick that Denver traded to the Utah Jazz, and during his time with Utah, he faced off against the Nuggets in a memorable seven-game playoff series in the NBA bubble.
Since then, Mitchell has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he has emerged as a superstar. Over time, any animosity between Mitchell and the Nuggets seemed to have faded, but his recent comments might reignite that competitive spirit.
On the podcast, when asked about his favorites in the Western Conference, Mitchell stated, “I would say it’s probably gon’ be Minnesota or OKC. I think Minnesota, they some dogs. I think they figured it out too about themselves. They made some trades and made some different acquisitions and all that, but they figured it out. OKC adding Alex Caruso, I don’t think people really understand what that does for that lineup. You’ve already got [Cason] Wallace over there, you’ve got Lu Dort, Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]’s not a bad defender himself. You add Alex Caruso to that lineup.”
Mitchell’s failure to mention the Nuggets, a team that recently won the Western Conference and features reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, is notable.
While the Thunder and Timberwolves are strong picks, the omission of Denver, especially given their recent success and Mitchell’s history with the team, is striking. This could provide the Nuggets with the extra motivation they need, as they look to prove any doubters wrong in the coming season.
Apart from Mitchell’s comments, the summer has been relatively quiet for Nuggets fans. With the NBA offseason in full swing and many fans shifting their attention to the Olympics, Major League Baseball, or the upcoming NFL season, there has been little news to get excited about.
However, this lull in activity presents a great opportunity for Nuggets fans to reflect on the franchise’s rich history.
One way to do this is by imagining an all-time starting lineup for the Nuggets, combining the best players from different eras into a team that could compete in today’s NBA.
This lineup would include Lafayette “Fat” Lever at point guard, David Thompson at shooting guard, Alex English at small forward, Carmelo Anthony at power forward, and Nikola Jokic at center.
Each of these players made significant contributions to the franchise during their respective tenures, and together they would form a formidable team capable of competing with the best in the modern NBA.
Looking ahead, there is still some news on the horizon that could capture the attention of NBA fans. The league is expected to announce its new media rights deal soon, which has generated considerable buzz online.
There is some uncertainty about whether TNT and its popular “Inside the NBA” show will continue their partnership with the league, but a resolution is anticipated soon.
In addition to the media rights deal, the release of the NBA schedule for the 2024-25 season is also highly anticipated. Typically occurring in mid to late August, the schedule release is an exciting moment for fans, as they look forward to seeing which teams will play on opening night, Christmas Day, and how the schedule will impact their favorite teams.
Nuggets fans, in particular, will be eager to see if their team is featured in marquee matchups and whether they can avoid the pitfalls of a challenging schedule, such as back-to-back games and tough road trips.
In recent years, the NBA schedule has been released around mid-August, with last year’s schedule dropping on Friday, August 18th.
Given that the Olympics conclude on Sunday, August 11th, it’s likely that this year’s schedule will be released shortly afterward, potentially on Friday, August 16th.
This timing would allow the NBA to build on the momentum generated by the Olympics while capturing the attention of fans before the NFL season dominates the sports landscape.
For Nuggets fans, the schedule release will provide a welcome distraction during the quiet summer months and an opportunity to start planning for the upcoming season.
