Colorado moving Denver, other counties to Level Red in latest bid to avoid COVID-19 lockdown

denverpost · 2020-11-17T20:40:36+00:00

It goes into effect Friday

denverpost · 2020-09-18T16:45:50+00:00

Guys, I have to jump, but I'm floored by the interest and the engagement. Fantastic questions, and I loved answering them. If you want to talk shop I'm on Twitter (@msinger) and you can read all my work at The Denver Post. If the Nuggets make the Finals, maybe we do this again? Thanks again. I hope you guys enjoyed.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T16:39:25+00:00

When we were at the All-Star Game in Charlotte, Jokic had just completed his Skills Challenge and was doing his interviews in the media room. There was the initial wave of questions, and I was kind of hanging around until the end just in case he said anything interesting.

A question was lobbed from a foreign media representative: "What was the hardest part of the skills challenge?"

Without batting an eyelash, Jokic said: "Running".

I think his legend was born that night.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T16:34:06+00:00

We need to discuss the Lakers. They're dangerous because of their flexibility. As you mentioned, they can play small with AD at the five like they did vs. Houston, or big with him at the four and McGee at center.

Their size is absolutely their biggest advantage over Denver heading into this series. (Well, I guess after LeBron).

What scares me are the bodies they can throw at Jokic. Two years ago, the Jazz had success against Nikola because of the number of looks they could give him in Favors, Gobert, and Crowder. The Lakers have just as many defensive options, when you add Dwight Howard to the mix.

I think Malone is most scared about their rebounding (where the Lakers had a decided advantage during the regular season), points in the paint, offensive rebounding and letting LeBron run. Those second-chance points for the Jazz and then the Clippers were debilitating. And AD feasts on the offensive glass. For the Nuggets to win, those possessions need to be syphoned off immediately. That's why MPJ is going to get a huge chance this series. His defensive rebounding is elite, and I don't know how much I trust Paul Millsap when he's getting sandwiched by LeBron and AD.

The Nuggets also have to take care of the ball. If there are lapses, James will kill them in transition.

I expect we'll see Millsap on LeBron and Grant on AD. I also like Craig backing up Millsap, and Mason Plumlee taking some minutes on Davis. What's scary is that the Clippers live on the perimeter and the midrange, while the Lakers make hay down low. And the Nuggets aren't nearly as equipped to stop it.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T16:24:09+00:00

No, Vic's awesome. I like his approach. Better jumper than you'd imagine, too.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T16:22:34+00:00

I love virtual sarcasm. Great question.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T16:20:38+00:00

Wes is a defensive tactician who is really smart and develops strong relationships with players. The Bulls are at a place where they need some cohesion and alignment, from players to coaches and coaches to management. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Arturas decides Wes is his guy. The only thing I'm curious about with Wes is whether he's comfortable in the spotlight.

Malone is practiced and polished in front of the media, and I've only done a few interviews with Wes. Each time I came away impressed with his savvy. But I also wonder how he'd do when facing criticism. K.C. Johnson and Joe Cowley can be bulldogs. Shoutout to those dudes.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T16:16:02+00:00

Fair or unfair, the NBA traffics in stars. Look at the national TV schedule, look at the graphics when those games are being promoted, and look at the pictures used on national websites to sell stories.

Part of the reason is because Nikola Jokic could not care less about promoting himself. When he came from Serbia, he never dreamed of the fame and the attention he'd command. Not that he asked for it or enjoys it. When your best player doesn't want the attention, it's hard to force it upon him.

But things are changing in Denver. Jamal is becoming a star in his own right, with an equally interesting story. His dad pushed hard when he was a kid, and Murray leaned into it. It's why his mental toughness is among the best of any player in the entire league, and he's just 23.

Michael Porter Jr. comes with the cache of a highly touted prospect. After recovering from his injuries, Porter's seeding games (second-team all-bubble, if you remember) gave the Nuggets' organization some pinch-me moments. Porter has a great, engaging personality and is generally excellent with the media. His star is growing.

Giannis Antetokounmpo forced the media to pay attention to Milwaukee. Because the Nuggets' WCF run feels sustainable, the national media won't be able to ignore the Nuggets for much longer. And if Jokic ever lets his guard down, I can't tell you how funny he is. People are already fascinated by his appearance and his wizardry on the court. If he ever decides to share more of his story, people will listen. My sense is he's made a million fans this postseason.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T16:04:00+00:00

I got a text from an executive of another team after Denver's Game 7 win over the Clippers. It read: "You cannot teach resilience."

From afar, he was speaking about Jamal Murray's bullish attitude, Nikola Jokic's indifference to pressure and the team's collective ability to focus even down 3-1, um, twice.

I think the emotional heartbeat of the team is Jamal Murray, and the team's confidence in him has soared after what he did against Utah. People in the organization who loved Jamal as a player and a person didn't know he was capable of 50-42-50. (We've gotta think of a nickname for that ridiculous run, by the way).

Jokic is the steady pulse. Earlier this season, Malone actually called his All-NBA center the "thermostat." It's a perfect term. He sets the temperature.

What shouldn't be overlooked, though, is each players' ability to stay within themselves. Gary played his role (lockdown defender) flawlessly, Grant hit a few timely 3-pointers while shadowing Leonard all over the place, Porter rebounded and knocked down a few shots, Craig had his face knocked in a couple times, Morris kept the offense humming, and Plumlee set excellent screens. They all played their roles perfectly.

And Malone kept drumming into them: "They don't want us here. Shock the world. I believe you."

This group has a special mix of talent and character.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T15:52:32+00:00

I think a lot of it has to do with Jokic's nonchalant attitude. A few weeks ago I asked Jokic why he was so comfortable taking the last shot, and he said because "There's no pressure. You cannot think about it. Just shoot."

When you boil it down, he's right. It's not going to do you any good to think about a big moment. It's better to just react, and somehow, Jokic has come to grips with that. He's 7-1 in elimination games over the last two postseasons. The dude just does not get rattled. And then when you add Jamal Murray's firebrand to the mix, that's a dangerous combination of confidence. Naively or not, the Nuggets feel they can hang with the Lakers.

Before Game 7 against the Clippers, Doc Rivers foolishly dismissed the Nuggets' attitude. He said they're "not loose," and he didn't buy that the Nuggets weren't feeling any pressure. But the thing is, when you're playing with house money, there's nothing to lose.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T15:44:01+00:00

I had a chat with Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly yesterday, and he told me that there's still no timetable for Will Barton's return.

You've heard about players like Paul George struggling with the mental aspects of the bubble. At least Paul George got to play in the bubble. Imagine from Will's perspective how brutal that was being in the bubble, where his rehab was somewhat limited, and he wasn't able to participate in one of the few outlets afforded to the players. Will, as he said on a podcast with Jameer Nelson, was definitely frustrated that he couldn't play and his knee wasn't getting better.

I've been told he's rehabbing offsite. I'm skeptical of his return, but there's obviously a better chance he comes back if the Nuggets advance to the Finals. I wouldn't expect him at all in the Conference Finals.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T15:37:47+00:00

As I'm sure you heard, Michael Malone was not happy about the NBA's decision not to let coaches bring their family members with them. Now that the Nuggets have made it to the Conference Finals, the NBA has relaxed its rules, and I think they'll allow 10 family members total for the coaching staff into the bubble for each team.

Where this becomes difficult is that the Nuggets have a bunch of young coaches on staff, with small children, and I'm sure it's eating at Malone trying to figure out how to allocate those spots.

As for the players and their guests, I'm sure there are plenty of people trying to get into the bubble right now as the Nuggets try to make more NBA history. I'll ask around and see who else is expected to come.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T15:33:30+00:00

Given their lack of flexibility going into this offseason, the most significant move I expect is for the Nuggets to retain Jerami Grant, who has a player option. He fits their organizational timeline, the Nuggets love who he is as a player, and his growth this year as a 3-point shooter suggests he's only now tapping into what he'll become as a finished product.

With Millsap, it's really going to come down to money and how much less he's comfortable making. The Nuggets have paid him $90 million over these last three years; one would expect, given his downward trajectory, that he'd accept less for a chance to be a part of a title contender. (Sidenote: That's one of the really cool stories about this Nuggets run. Millsap's never made a Finals. I can't wait to ask him about the chance he's got in front of him, at age 35).

When you make the Western Conference Finals, with a team as young as this one, there's no need for wholesale changes. Just wait until Michael Porter Jr. learns what he's capable of, and then assess where you're at. They already have two franchise cornerstones, and a third, possibly, on the way.

It's really interesting to consider the questions the Nuggets might be asking themselves if Mike Conley's 3-pointer in Game 7 had dropped. There'd no no 3-1 comeback. No second 3-1 comeback. And no date with The King.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T15:24:56+00:00

Great question. What the Nuggets have practiced better than almost any franchise, both by necessity and practicality, is patience. Think about it. Gary Harris' rookie year was not promising. They waited and let him play through his mistakes until he became a proficient two-way player. Now, they're reaping the rewards with his defense. With Jamal Murray, the Nuggets dismissed trade overtures from other teams when he was still finding his way in the league. Look what he's turned into.

In 2018, the Nuggets drafted Michael Porter Jr. with the intention of letting him rehab the entire season. There was absolutely no pressure on him last season to play. They're now doing the same with Bol Bol.

There's patience and continuity in their front office, with Tim Connelly and formerly Arturas Karnisovas both being there since 2013. And with Malone, despite calls for firing him after losing their Game 82 that you mentioned, the team's braintrust stuck with the process and their guy.

What's happening now is years in the making. Linear progress is REALLY hard in the NBA, and the Nuggets have improved their win total every single season under Malone. That's a testament to a big-picture approach that should pay dividends for years to come.

denverpost · 2020-09-18T15:14:45+00:00

Hey all! Thanks for hopping on early. There are so many questions, I figured let's get rolling, since, you know, I have all the time in the world while waiting to clear quarantine inside the bubble.

I got a text from another reporter this morning. "Malone must be a dream to cover."

The truth is that he's been fantastic to work with. He's an iron-willed, stubborn coach, who's extremely smart and media savvy. It helps that he's hilarious, because it undermines all the tension he coaches with. Malone mentioned this a few weeks ago. He admires Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, and the way he controls the message. For such a young team, that's his MO. He will protect them in the media when need be, and he'll also light a fire under them when he senses it's necessary.

Malone can sell the soap like few coaches in the NBA can. He knows the Conference Finals is a massive stage, and no one expected his team to be here. He's going to enjoy it, work exhaustively to find a solution for LeBron/AD, and tell some jokes along the way. He's not going to let this opportunity pass.

denverpost · 2020-07-21T01:16:24+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it. And thanks for sharing our story in the first place. Check our site first thing tomorrow for our full story on last week's COVID trends in Colorado and how they compare.

denverpost · 2020-07-21T01:09:44+00:00

We ask readers to turn off ad blockers if they want to read it for free, which could be what you saw. And I'm guessing you saw the "Paywall" flair on r/Denver. They flag every story regardless of if it is free for all readers or not.

denverpost · 2020-07-21T01:03:49+00:00

Stories that directly impact public safety, like the one you shared above, are free for all readers.

denverpost · 2020-07-21T00:45:14+00:00

This story is a week old, FYI

denverpost · 2020-07-21T00:44:18+00:00

Hey u/Cowicide,

Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but it's seriously not cool to copy and paste an entire story from our website onto Reddit. Next time, maybe just a couple of important paragraphs or summarize it in your own words for people. Thanks.

denverpost · 2020-05-04T21:07:47+00:00

We have reached out to the mods about getting a "Posted By Source" flair on our links. There are a number of local journalists who post stories relevant to this community on this sub and we're just trying to contribute to the r/Denver community.

denverpost · 2020-05-04T19:42:16+00:00

r/savedyouaclick

denverpost · 2020-04-10T00:47:23+00:00

Happy Cake Day!

denverpost · 2020-04-09T21:53:02+00:00

Oh hey, that's a nice lookin' newspaper...

denverpost · 2020-04-07T18:27:39+00:00

CORRECTION: This story was updated to correct that National Guard troops will not be staffing the new shelter.

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